DepressionDLSNCT07877402
Treating Seasonal Depression With Daylight
A study testing Outdoor and Indoor in people with Depression, run by Klaus Martiny at 2 sites in Denmark.
Trial summary
A seasonal pattern in the on- and offset of depressive episodes in recurrent depressive disorder is prevalent at latitudes with large summer-winter differences in daylength. In Denmark we estimate that 10-12% of the population experience winter depression symptoms with functional impairment, and 1-2% of the population… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression
- What is being tested?
- Outdoor and Indoor
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesDenmark
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2026to Dec 2029
- 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Seasonal depression according to ICD-11
Who cannot join
- Bipolar and psychotic disorder Working outside more than 2 hours a day
- -
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Denmark2 sites
Psykiatriens hus
Aarhus, 8000
Mette Kragh, Ph.d., 0045-41860840, metkragh@rm.dk
Frederiksberg Bispebjerg Hospital
Frederiksberg, 2000
Malina P Lund, MSc in Human Nutrition, 0045-24991536, klaus.martiny@regionh.dk
About this study
Official title: Treating Seasonal Depression With Daylight: A Randomised Clinical Trial
A seasonal pattern in the on- and offset of depressive episodes in recurrent depressive disorder is prevalent at latitudes with large summer-winter differences in daylength. In Denmark we estimate that 10-12% of the population experience winter depression symptoms with functional impairment, and 1-2% of the population is expected to fulfil the ICD-11 criteria for a recurrent depression episode with a winter seasonal pattern (seasonal depression). First-line treatment of seasonal depression is light delivered by a light box with exposure for ½-1 hour each morning in the season. Based on the physical characteristics and physiological responses daylight should be just as effective as light from a light box. Therefore, in this study the aim is to investigate whether 30 minutes daily outside walks for 6 weeks has an antidepressant effect.
Read the detailed description
Methods and analyses The study will include 150 patients, during the winter seasons, fulfilling the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for seasonal depression, winter type and not spending more than 2 hours outside in the last month. Patients will be randomly allocated to either a 30 minutes' daily walk outdoors or 30 minutes daily reading books or listening to podcast. Any actual depression treatment will continue. All patients will be followed for 6 weeks and will wear a CamNtech MotionWatch 8 device to assess 24-hour activity and light exposure. The primary outcome is the estimated difference between groups on the SIGH-SAD-SA self-assessment scale using all data from the 6 weeks assessments. The association between actigraphy data, light sensor data, self-reported sleep measures, and depression outcomes will also be also investigated.
- Conditions
- Depression
- Being tested
- Outdoor, Indoor
- Keywords
- Daylight, Reading, Depression, Sleep, Circadian
- Medical subject headings
- Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
OutdoorOther
Exposure to 30 minutes of Daylight
IndoorOther
Reading for 30 minutes indoor
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | Experimental | Daylight exposure Receives: Other: Outdoor |
| Indoor | Active comparator | Reading Receives: Other: Indoor |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder Self assessment version (SIGH-SAD-SA)
Selfrating instrument to assess depression with atypical symptoms. Score range from 0-77, 77= worst depression
Measured: Used weekly with a 1 week recall
Sleep onset latency
Time falling a sleep based on a the sleep diary
Measured: Daily ratings throughout the whole 6 week study period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Randomisation 1:1 to daylight exposure or reading/listening
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Klaus Martiny
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Klaus Martiny, University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07877402
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 4309-00069B
- Acronym
- DLS
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: On reasonal request
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Treating Seasonal Depression With Daylight: A Randomised Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07877402
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DLS / 4309-00069B
- Conditions
- Depression
- Keywords
- Daylight, Reading, Depression, Sleep, Circadian
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Klaus MartinyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Oct 2026 (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.
A seasonal pattern in the on- and offset of depressive episodes in recurrent depressive disorder is prevalent at latitudes with large summer-winter differences in daylength. In Denmark we estimate that 10-12% of the population experience winter depression symptoms with functional impairment, and 1-2% of the population is expected to fulfil the ICD-11 criteria for a recurrent depression episode with a winter seasonal pattern (seasonal depression). First-line treatment of seasonal depression is light delivered by a light box with exposure for ½-1 hour each morning in the season. Based on the physical characteristics and physiological responses daylight should be just as effective as light from a light box. Therefore, in this study the aim is to investigate whether 30 minutes daily outside walks for 6 weeks has an antidepressant effect.
Detailed description
Methods and analyses The study will include 150 patients, during the winter seasons, fulfilling the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for seasonal depression, winter type and not spending more than 2 hours outside in the last month. Patients will be randomly allocated to either a 30 minutes' daily walk outdoors or 30 minutes daily reading books or listening to podcast. Any actual depression treatment will continue. All patients will be followed for 6 weeks and will wear a CamNtech MotionWatch 8 device to assess 24-hour activity and light exposure. The primary outcome is the estimated difference between groups on the SIGH-SAD-SA self-assessment scale using all data from the 6 weeks assessments. The association between actigraphy data, light sensor data, self-reported sleep measures, and depression outcomes will also be also investigated.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomisation 1:1 to daylight exposure or reading/listening
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | Experimental | Other: OutdoorDaylight exposure |
| Indoor | Active comparator | Other: IndoorReading |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Seasonal depression according to ICD-11
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Bipolar and psychotic disorder Working outside more than 2 hours a day
- -
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 |
|---|---|---|
| OutdoorExposure to 30 minutes of Daylight | Other | Outdoor |
| IndoorReading for 30 minutes indoor | Other | Indoor |
Primary outcome
Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder Self assessment version (SIGH-SAD-SA)
Time frame: Used weekly with a 1 week recall
Selfrating instrument to assess depression with atypical symptoms. Score range from 0-77, 77= worst depression
Sleep onset latency
Time frame: Daily ratings throughout the whole 6 week study period
Time falling a sleep based on a the sleep diary
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 16 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. On reasonal request
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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.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Outdoor and Indoor in people with Depression, run by Klaus Martiny at 2 sites in Denmark.
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 1 inclusion and 2 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Denmark. 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. 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 Klaus Martiny, Professor (24991536, klaus.martiny@regionh.dk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder Self assessment version (SIGH-SAD-SA) (time frame: Used weekly with a 1 week recall). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 16 Oct 2026.