Depression, UnipolarNCT06973759
Adjunctive Bright Light Therapy in Adolescents With Depression and Eveningness
A study testing Bright light therapy and Dim red light in people with Depression, Unipolar, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 19 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression, Unipolar
- What is being tested?
- Bright light therapy and Dim red light
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2025to 30 Jun 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 19 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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;
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- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Hong Kong1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077
Joey WY Chan, FHKAM(Psych), +862 39197647, joeywychan@cuhk.edu.hk
Xingle Gao, +852 92916602, xinglegao@link.cuhk.edu.hk
About this study
Official title: Bright Light Therapy for Adolescents With Depression and Eveningness - a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Assessor-blinded Study
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.
Read the detailed description
This randomized, placebo-controlled, assessor-blinded trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of bright light therapy (BLT) as a treatment for adolescents with depression and evening chronotype. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive either BLT or dim red light (placebo) daily for 8 weeks. Depression severity, sleep parameters, and circadian markers will be assessed at baseline, during treatment, post-treatment, and at follow-up visits.
- Conditions
- Depression, Unipolar
- Being tested
- Bright light therapy, Dim red light
- Keywords
- Depression, Eveningness, Bright light therapy, Adolescents
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Bright light therapyDevice
Exposure to blue-enriched white light for 15-30 minutes a day for 8 weeks
Dim red lightDevice
Exposure to dim red light for 15-30 minutes a day for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bright light therapy group | Experimental | Blue-enriched white light Receives: Device: Bright light therapy |
| Dim red light group | Placebo comparator | Dim red light Receives: Device: Dim red light |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change of depressive symptoms
Change in the score of the Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS-R), which ranges from 17-113, higher score indicates higher severity of depression.
Measured: Soon after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change of other clinical symptoms
Change in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score, which ranges from 0-63, higher score indicates greater depression severity.
Measured: Soon after the intervention
Change of other clinical symptoms
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, which ranges from 0-21, higher score indicates poorer sleep quality.
Measured: Soon after the intervention
Change of other clinical symptoms
Change in Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF2) score, which will be transformed into T scores (range = 35 to ≥ 90) for interpretion, higher score indicates higher executive functioning.
Measured: Soon after the intervention
Change of other clinical symptoms
Change in KIDCSREEN-27 score, which ranges from 30-135, higher score indicates better life quality and social support.
Measured: Soon after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 May 2025
- Study start1 Nov 2025
- Primary completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Depression, UnipolarStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Chinese University of Hong KongThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized placebo-controlled trial
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Joey WY Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06973759
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024.494-T
- Other IDs
- 12230316
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 19 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Bright Light Therapy for Adolescents With Depression and Eveningness - a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Assessor-blinded Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06973759
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024.494-T
- Conditions
- Depression, Unipolar
- Keywords
- Depression, Eveningness, Bright light therapy, Adolescents
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong KongUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
This randomized, placebo-controlled, assessor-blinded trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of bright light therapy (BLT) as a treatment for adolescents with depression and evening chronotype. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive either BLT or dim red light (placebo) daily for 8 weeks. Depression severity, sleep parameters, and circadian markers will be assessed at baseline, during treatment, post-treatment, and at follow-up visits.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized placebo-controlled trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bright light therapy group | Experimental | Device: Bright light therapyBlue-enriched white light |
| Dim red light group | Placebo comparator | Device: Dim red lightDim red light |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 19 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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;
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Bright light therapyExposure to blue-enriched white light for 15-30 minutes a day for 8 weeks | Device | Bright light therapy group |
| Dim red lightExposure to dim red light for 15-30 minutes a day for 8 weeks. | Device | Dim red light group |
Primary outcome
Change of depressive symptoms
Time frame: Soon after the intervention
Change in the score of the Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS-R), which ranges from 17-113, higher score indicates higher severity of depression.
4 secondary outcomes
Change of other clinical symptoms
Time frame: Soon after the intervention
Change of other clinical symptoms
Time frame: Soon after the intervention
Change of other clinical symptoms
Time frame: Soon after the intervention
Change of other clinical symptoms
Time frame: Soon after the intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Bright light therapy and Dim red light in people with Depression, Unipolar, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Joey WY Chan (+852 39197647, joeywychan@cuhk.edu.hk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change of depressive symptoms (time frame: Soon after the intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Mar 2026.