Postpartum Depression (PPD)NCT07766161
Informing Implementation of a Circadian-Focused Intervention for Postpartum Depression
A study testing Light therapy in people with Postpartum Depression (PPD), run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The proposed study is an open-label trial of Re-Timer® wearable morning bright light therapy for postpartum depression. The study is focused on evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation context of morning Bright Light Treatment (mBLT) for postpartum depression. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Postpartum Depression (PPD)
- What is being tested?
- Light therapy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 29 Jul 2026to May 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- ≤ 6 months postpartum
- EPDS score >10
Who cannot join
- Current or past-year substance use disorder
- Lifetime history of bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
- Active suicidal intent
- Retinal pathology or history of eye surgery
- Current use of photosensitizing medications
- Untreated sleep-disordered breathing, untreated restless legs syndrome, or narcolepsy
- Psychotherapy or psychotropic medications started/dose changed in past month (psychotherapy started and/or current medication at stable dose ≥ 4 weeks are permitted)
- Medical conditions contraindicated for mBLT (e.g., epilepsy/seizures)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109
Kelley DuBuc, 734-764-1904, dubuck@med.umich.edu
Leslie Swanson, PhD
About this study
The proposed study is an open-label trial of Re-Timer® wearable morning bright light therapy for postpartum depression. The study is focused on evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation context of morning Bright Light Treatment (mBLT) for postpartum depression.
Read the detailed description
This study will test a consumer health light therapy device (Re-Timer)
- Conditions
- Postpartum Depression (PPD)
- Being tested
- Light therapy
- Keywords
- Circadian rhythm, Light therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Postpartum
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Light therapyDevice
Participants will use the Re-Timer daily for 5 weeks (approximately 35 days). All participants will be provided with a "light therapy window" during which they will wear the device for 60 mins.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Light therapy | Experimental | Participants in the arm will be approximately 30 women who are within 6 months postpartum and have an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score > 10. Receives: Device: Light therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Retention rate
Number of participants who enrolled/number of participants who completed trial ( ≥70% acceptable)
Measured: At approximately 5 weeks after treatment is started (post-treatment)
Adherence rate (as assessed through self-report)
Percent of participants who completed ≥70% light therapy intervention sessions
Measured: At approximately 5 weeks after treatment is started (post-treatment)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Client Satisfaction Scale (CSS) score
The Client Satisfaction Scale measures satisfaction with the treatment. Total scores range from 5-20; higher total scores indicate greater treatment satisfaction.
Measured: At approximately 5 weeks after treatment is started (post-treatment)
Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS) score
The Treatment Satisfaction Scale measures the acceptability of the treatment. Total scores range from 2 to 20 ; higher scores indicate greater treatment acceptability.
Measured: At approximately 5 weeks after treatment is started (post-treatment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Aug 2026
- Study start29 Jul 2026
- Primary completionMay 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postpartum Depression (PPD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MichiganThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Michigan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Leslie Swanson, University of Michigan
- Investigators
- Leslie Swanson, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Michigan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07766161
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HUM00285407
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No