Bright Light Therapy for Sleep Disturbance in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Multiple Sclerosis

In brief

Sleep disturbance is common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and contributes to diminished quality of life. Bright light therapy may be an innovative strategy to reduce sleep disturbance in MS, possibly through its effects on a subtype of retinal ganglion cells that help regulate circadian rhythms and sleep. This pilot study will evaluate whether, in people with MS, bright light therapy reduces sleep disturbance and explore whether light therapy improves function of these cells.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04054050

Run by

Johns Hopkins University

People needed

27

Starts

2021-02-22

Expected to finish

2026-01-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosis of MS
• Evidence of sleep disturbance
• Stable on immunomodulatory MS therapy or no therapy for at least 6 months prior to study initiation
• Stable on antidepressants for at least 3 months prior to study initiation and no evidence
• Stable on fatigue medication for at least 3 months prior to study initiation
• Willing and able to provide informed consent and follow study procedures.

You may not qualify if…

• Evidence of cognitive impairment
• Low risk for sleep disordered breathing
• Other comorbid ophthalmologic disorders (e.g. cataracts, glaucoma, blindness)
• Traveled across two time zones within 90 days of study screening.
• Not participating in shift work
• MS relapse or history of acute optic neuritis within 30 days
• No prior history of bipolar disorder
• No evidence of current depression
• Diagnosis of severe periodic limb movement disorder or severe restless legs syndrome

Where it is running

• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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