RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06973759

Adjunctive Bright Light Therapy in Adolescents With Depression and Eveningness

Bright Light Therapy for Adolescents With Depression and Eveningness - a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Assessor-blinded Study

Sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Enrollment

90 participants

Start Date

Nov 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression, Unipolar

Summary

This study examines the efficacy of bright light therapy as a treatment for adolescents diagnosed with unipolar non-seasonal depression who exhibit an evening chronotype.

Eligibility

Min Age: 12 YearsMax Age: 19 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

Chinese, aged 12-19 years old;
Written informed assent/consent of participation into the study is given by the participant and his/her parent or guardian (for those aged under 18), respectively;
Having a DSM-5 diagnosis of unipolar non-seasonal depression as confirmed by the Chinese version of the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) psychiatric interview, DSM-5 Seasonal specifier, AND having a score on Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS-R) at least 40;
Being classified as evening chronotype according to the score on the reduced Horne-Östberg Morning-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), i.e. \<12.

Exclusion Criteria9

A current diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence; a current or past history of manic or hypomanic episode, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, organic mental disorders, or intellectual disabilities;
Having a clinically significant suicidality (presence of suicidal ideation with a plan or an attempt) as assessed by K-SADS;
Having been enrolled in any other clinical trial investigational products within one month at the entry of the study;
Initiation of or change in antidepressant medication within past 4 weeks;
Having been or is currently receiving any structured psychotherapy;
With hearing or speech deficit;
Night shift worker;
Trans-meridian flight across at least two time zones in the past 3 months and during the study;
Presence of an eye disease, e.g., retinal blindness, severe cataract, glaucoma.