Trial to Test a New Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Therapy for Treating Depression in Adolescents

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether improving the alignment between biological circadian timing and waketime can help improve depression outcomes in adolescents who have depression and a misaligned sleep-wake cycle. This study evaluates a novel target for treatment using a cognitive-behavioral sleep intervention. The trial aims to confirm the effectiveness of this approach in a carefully designed and sufficiently powered study focused on this specific subgroup of adolescents. The study compares two behavioral interventions TranS-C, an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral sleep and circadian therapy, and Psychoeducation, which provides information on how sleep, stress, diet, health, exercise, accidents, and mood influence each other. Participants are randomly assigned to one of these two groups to assess their impact on depression and sleep timing. The treatment period lasts approximately two months. Participants will be assessed at the start and end of treatment, as well as at 8 and 14 months, using measures such as the change in phase angle difference between dim light melatonin onset DLMO and waketime, and the Childrens Depression Rating Scale CDRS-R. Researchers will monitor depression symptoms and sleep timing to determine changes over the study period. The trial is expected to continue through August 2028, providing long-term follow-up data.

Better Sleep Study