Light Therapy to Improve Sleep in Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Sleep-active Biomarkers and Glymphatic Function

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how improving sleep through morning bright light therapy can affect important brain health processes such as mitochondrial function, systemic inflammation, and glymphatic function in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aims to better understand these biological changes related to sleep improvement. The research is led by Oregon Health and Science University and uses approved methods for safety and consistency. The trial compares two treatments: one group receives morning bright light therapy, involving exposure to bright light for one hour each morning over four weeks. The other group receives negative ion generator therapy under the same schedule. Both interventions are delivered daily in the morning, and participants are randomly assigned to one of these two groups. The study is single-masked, meaning participants know their treatment but certain staff may not. Participants will be monitored before and after the four-week treatment period through blood tests measuring inflammation markers and mitochondrial function, as well as advanced MRI scans assessing glymphatic system function. The study requires participants to have stable clinical status and sleep disturbances related to TBI. Safety screenings include MRI compatibility and pregnancy tests. The total participation time includes baseline assessments, the treatment period, and post-treatment evaluations to track changes in these key brain health indicators.

Light Therapy to Improve Sleep in TBI: Sleep-active Biomarkers and Glymphatic Function