Evaluating Home-Based Bright Light Therapy for Adolescents Aged 13 to 17 With Major Depressive Disorder in China A Randomized Controlled Study

What this Trial Is About

Major Depressive Disorder MDD is a chronic condition causing significant illness and disability, especially among children and adolescents worldwide. This trial studies the use of bright light therapy BLT in adolescents aged 13 to 17 with MDD, aiming to evaluate its effectiveness, speed of improvement, safety, and how it may improve emotional and cognitive functions. The research also explores the brain mechanisms involved in these effects using imaging techniques. Participants with MDD will be randomly assigned to one of three groups high-intensity bright white light therapy 10,000 lux, medium-intensity bright white light therapy 5,000 lux, or a placebo group receiving dim red light 100 lux. Each participant will undergo 40 minutes of light exposure between 630 and 1000 AM, six days a week, for four consecutive weeks. Healthy adolescent controls will also be included for comparison and brain imaging studies. During the study, participants will be assessed weekly during the light therapy period and followed for two weeks afterward. Assessments include depression severity using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, anxiety, sleep quality, cognitive function, irritability, self-injury behaviors, and safety monitoring. Advanced brain imaging using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy fNIRS and MRI will be conducted to investigate the neural effects of light therapy. This study aims to provide comprehensive data on the benefits and mechanisms of BLT in adolescent depression.

Clinical Efficacy, Safety, and Applicability of Home-based Bright Light Therapy in Outpatient Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder