Using light flashes to help treat delayed sleep phase disorder in teens
Official title: Treating Sleep Disruption in Teens With Millisecond Light Exposure During Sleep
Run by VA Palo Alto Health Care System · NCT01406691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests if short bursts of light during sleep can help high school students with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder get better sleep and feel more awake during the day.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 15 Years to 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | VA Palo Alto Health Care System Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Palo Alto, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 2013 |
| Main results expected | June 2028 |
| Study ends | September 2028 |
| Registry record updated | March 24, 2023 |
| Trial ID | NCT01406691 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are full-time high school students experiencing symptoms consistent with delayed sleep phase disorder.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who sleep only in a prone position or are currently taking medications for sleep disorders may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of brief flashes of light scheduled during sleep to treat Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD), a common sleep disruption in adolescents. Participants will be high school students experiencing difficulties with sleep timing and associated daytime disturbances. The intervention aims to realign their circadian rhythms and improve overall sleep quality. The study is conducted at Stanford University, leveraging their expertise in sleep disorders and adolescent health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve sleep patterns and daytime functioning for adolescents suffering from DSPD.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of light therapy is established in treating various sleep disorders, this specific application for DSPD in adolescents is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female * Full-time in high school * primary sleep complaint consistent with delayed sleep phase disorder Exclusion Criteria: * sleep only in prone position * currently taking medications specifically for the treatment of a sleep disorder
Where it's running
-
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jamie Zeitzer, PhD
- Email: jzeitzer@stanford.edu
- Phone: 650-493-5000
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.