Effect of Morning Light Exposure on Mood

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Suicidal Ideation, Regulation, Emotion

In brief

Mood dysregulation and suicidal ideation are closely associated with disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms. Moreover, sleep problems and circadian disruption are commonplace features of military life. Critically, specifically timed light exposure plays a powerful role in regulating mood, circadian rhythms, and sleep-wake patterns. Therefore, investigators propose to conduct a large-scale clinical trial on the effectiveness of morning light exposure treatment for improving sleep-wake patterns, emotional and mental health, and suicidal thoughts in military personnel.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05616819

Run by

University of Arizona

People needed

480

Starts

2023-07-01

Expected to finish

2026-01-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-11-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Ages 18-60 years
• At least an 8th grade reading level
• Score ≥ 5 (i.e., mild depression or greater) on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)
• Service member of any Armed Forces branch, including active duty, Reserve, or National Guard

You may not qualify if…

• Not actively serving in an Armed Force branch
• Scored (i.e., < 5) range on the PHQ-9 (non-depressed)
• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• History of psychotic disorder or manic episodes
• Bipolar disorder
• Diseases of the eye
• Have had cataract surgery
• Frequent and light-sensitive migraine headaches
• Self-reported plan to regularly engage in nightshift work during the 6-week course of the study

Where it is running

• University of Arizona — Tucson, Arizona, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.