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Bipolar DisorderPhase 3NCT00852592

Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder. Efficacy of Light Therapy for Bipolar Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A Phase 3 study testing 7000lux broad-spectrum light and 50lux dim red light in people with Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Episode, run by Northwestern University at 2 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to understand the efficacy of light therapy for bipolar depression. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Episode
What is being tested?
7000lux broad-spectrum light and 50lux dim red light
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
46 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
May 2009to Feb 2015
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Ages 18-65 years
  • DSM-IV Criteria BD I or II depressive episode,
  • SIGH-ADS >20; duration >2 weeks.
  • Stable dose antidepressant drug >8 weeks with concurrent antimanic drug
  • Controlled thyroid disease
  • Subjects with preexisting eye diseases will be included.
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Stable minimum dose antimanic drug >4weeks: lithium 0.5 mEq/L, divalproex Na 50 mcg/mL, olanzapine 5mg daily, carbamazepine 4mg/L; lamotrigine 100mg daily, risperidone 2mg daily, quetiapine 400 mg daily, ziprasidone 10 mg bid, and aripiprazole 5 mg qd.
  • Stable unchanged psychotherapy for >16weeks

Who cannot join

  • The following eye diseases: retinal disease, cataract surgery and lens removal, macular degeneration,
  • Taking photosensitizing drugs such as phenothiazines (chlorpromazine), antimalarial drugs, melatonin and hypericum.
  • Acute psychosis (DSM-IV Criteria)
  • Rapid cycling in the past 1 year
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence in the past 6 months.
Show all 9Show fewer
  • MRS>5
  • Recent history of a suicide attempt (3 months) or active suicidal Ideation (SIGHADS item H11 >2)
  • Beta-adrenergic blockers, exogenous melatonin, chronic NSAIDS

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213

  • University of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of Light Therapy for Bipolar Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to understand the efficacy of light therapy for bipolar depression.

Read the detailed description

Bipolar Disorders (BD) are associated with chronic depression, disability, and increased suicide risk. Building on earlier findings, we conducted a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of midday light therapy for bipolar depression. The aims were to examine the change in depression levels and the proportion of patients who responded and remitted. We assessed predictors of response with measures of side effects, sleep quality, suicidality, and psychosocial functioning. We included depressed adults with BD-Type I or II confirmed on the SCID interview and taking stable-dosed antimanic medication. We excluded patients with psychosis, rapid cycling, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol or substance use disorders, hypomania or mania, and severe suicidality. Patients were randomized to 7000 lux broad spectrum light therapy OR 50 lux dim red light for 45-60 minutes daily. Weekly, the blinded-clinician assessed symptoms with the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Scale with Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH-ADS) and global functioning.

Being tested
7000lux broad-spectrum light, 50lux dim red light
Keywords
Bipolar Disorder Depression Midday Light Therapy, Bipolar Disorder Type I or II
Medical subject headings
Bipolar Disorder

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • 7000lux broad-spectrum lightDevice

    dosage - 15-60minutes NOON-2PM daily

  • 50lux dim red lightDevice

    dosage: 15-60minutes NOON-2PM daily

Study groups in NCT00852592
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active ComparatorActive comparator7000lux broad-spectrum light
Receives: Device: 7000lux broad-spectrum light
Inactive ComparatorPlacebo comparator50lux dim red light
Receives: Device: 50lux dim red light

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. SIGH-ADS Depression Score

    The Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-HRS-D with Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH-ADS) provides a benchmark for depression severity; SIGH-ADS scores range from 0-79; higher values represent increased depression severity and worse outcome.

    Measured: 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

    The GAF is used to assess global psychosocial functioning. Scores range from 0-100 with higher values representing higher functioning and better outcome.

    Measured: 6-weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Feb 2009 (estimated)
  2. Study startMay 2009
  3. Primary completionDec 2014
  4. Study completionFeb 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
46 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00852592
Sponsor's protocol ID
PRO09020546
Status last verified
Sep 2016
First submitted
25 Feb 2009
Last updated
7 Nov 2016
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
Undecided: We can share data if approached by other investigators

Publications

  • Sit DK, McGowan J, Wiltrout C, Diler RS, Dills JJ, Luther J, Yang A, Ciolino JD, Seltman H, Wisniewski SR, Terman M, Wisner KL. Adjunctive Bright Light Therapy for Bipolar Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2018 Feb 1;175(2):131-139. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.16101200. Epub 2017 Oct 3.

    PubMed 28969438

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing 7000lux broad-spectrum light and 50lux dim red light in people with Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Episode, run by Northwestern University at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Nov 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 Nov 2016). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

SIGH-ADS Depression Score (time frame: 6 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00852592, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Nov 2016.

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