Wearable light therapy for postpartum depression
A Wearable Morning Light Treatment for Postpartum Depression
This study is testing a light therapy device to see if it can help women with postpartum depression feel better compared to a dim light that doesn’t have the same effect.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT04845347 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study tests a consumer health light therapy device called Re-Timer for women experiencing postpartum depression. Participants will be randomized to receive either bright light therapy or a placebo dim light therapy for five weeks. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires, track their sleep, wear an actigraph watch, and provide saliva samples to assess mood and circadian rhythms. Additionally, the sleep patterns of the participants' infants will be monitored to evaluate their potential impact on the mothers' mood and sleep.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women who are 26 weeks postpartum or less and meet the criteria for major depressive disorder without current treatment.
Not a fit: Patients with current diagnoses of PTSD, eating disorders, or other specified sleep disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive treatment option for postpartum depression, improving mood and overall well-being for new mothers.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with light therapy for mood disorders, suggesting potential success for this approach in postpartum depression.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * less or equal (≤) to 26 weeks postpartum * meet criteria for current major depressive disorder per the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic (SCID) and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM-V) * not currently receiving treatment for depression (for example, prescription medications or psychotherapy). Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder if the onset is outside of the perinatal period, eating disorder, substance abuse or dependence, lifetime history of mania/hypomania or thought disorder per SCID. * current diagnosis of, or high risk for, sleep-disordered breathing, insomnia disorder, restless leg syndrome, and/or narcolepsy. * retinal pathology or history of eye surgery * current use of photosensitizing medications, * current use of exogenous melatonin or medications that may interfere with the measurement of melatonin (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if used daily, and beta-blockers) * medical conditions for which bright light therapy is contraindicated (for example, epilepsy/seizures). * nightshift work * currently pregnant
Where this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Leslie Swanson, Ph.D. — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Kelley DuBuc
- Email: dubuck@umich.edu
- Phone: 734-764-2256
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.