MigraineNCT07898722
Impact of Optimized White Light on Visual Discomfort, Headache Intensity, and Cognitive Performance Among Those With Migraine
A study testing Optimized Ambient White Light and Conventional White Light in people with Migraine and Photophobia, run by Arizona State University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this research is to study how effective an optimized white light is for improving visual comfort and reducing migraine symptoms. To do so, we will compare the effects of an optimized white light with those of a standard, commercially available white light. The main study objectives are to: 1. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Migraine, Photophobia, Cognitive Function Assessment
- What is being tested?
- Optimized Ambient White Light and Conventional White Light
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 27 Jun 2025to 23 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Ages 18-45 years
- Able to communicate in English
- Ages 18-45 years
- Have migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (2018) criteria for migraine with or without aura
- Experience photosensitivity during migraine attacks
- 4-14 headache days per month and at least three migraine attacks per month.
- Willingness to attend a visit during an untreated migraine attack
- Able to communicate in English
Who cannot join
- major health issues including but not limited to migraine, photophobia, post traumatic headaches, epilepsy, ocular disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal degenerative diseases, blindness
- Volunteer with Migraine
- Ocular disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal degenerative diseases, blindness.
- Current or prior history of epilepsy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Impact of Spectrally Optimized Ambient White Light on Visual Discomfort, Headache Intensity, and Cognitive Performance Among Those With Migraine: A Randomized Crossover Study
The goal of this research is to study how effective an optimized white light is for improving visual comfort and reducing migraine symptoms. To do so, we will compare the effects of an optimized white light with those of a standard, commercially available white light.
The main study objectives are to:
Read more
- Compare the effects of an optimized white light spectrum vs. a conventional white light on visual discomfort levels in people with and without migraine.
- Evaluate the effects of each lighting condition on headache intensity, cognitive performance, and pupil size.
This study will inform the design of more comfortable lighting environments for individuals with migraine. The implementation of optimized white light in healthcare settings, offices, schools, and homes may serve as a practical strategy to improve comfort and reduce symptoms for those with migraine.
Read the detailed description
The goal of this research is to study the effects of a spectrally optimized white light on visual comfort and severity of migraine symptoms. To do so, the effects of an optimized white light will be compared to those from a standard, commercially available white light.
The main study objectives are to:
- Compare the effects of an optimized white light vs. a conventional white light on visual discomfort levels in people with and without migraine.
- Evaluate the effects of each lighting condition on headache intensity, cognitive performance, and pupil size.
This is a randomized crossover study in which 20 participants with migraine will be studied between migraine attacks and again during untreated migraine attacks. Twenty non-migraine healthy controls will also be studied.
Two ambient white-light conditions will be evaluated: a green-enriched, spectrally optimized white light (λpeak = 525 nm) and a conventional commercially available white light (λpeak = 450 nm). Participants will be exposed to each lighting condition for 10 minutes. For all participants: 1) visual discomfort levels will be assessed each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of exposure; 2) at minute 8 of exposure, participants will complete the Digit Symbol Substitution Test; 3) at the conclusion of the 10-minute exposure, pupil diameter will be measured. For participants with migraine studied during an untreated migraine attack, headache intensity will be measured prior to light exposure and at minute 8 of light exposure.
The results from this study will provide insights into the potential benefits of spectrally optimized white light on visual comfort, cognitive performance, and headache intensity.
- Conditions
- Migraine, Photophobia, Cognitive Function Assessment, Headache, Light Sensitivity, Light
- Being tested
- Optimized Ambient White Light, Conventional White Light
- Keywords
- migraine, photophobia, Light Sensitivity, headache, cognitive function, lighting
- Medical subject headings
- Migraine Disorders, Photophobia, Headache
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Optimized Ambient White LightOther
Green-enriched, spectrally optimized white light (λpeak = 525 nm)
Conventional White LightOther
conventional white light (λpeak = 450 nm)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Optimized White Light | Experimental | Spectrally Optimized White Light Receives: Other: Optimized Ambient White Light |
| Conventional White Light | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Conventional White Light |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Discomfort
Participants reported their visual discomfort using an 11-point numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (extreme discomfort). The primary visual discomfort outcome was the mean of the seven ratings collected at minutes 2-8.
Measured: Each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of each light exposure
Secondary outcomes (3)
Digit Symbol Substitution Test
Digit Symbol Substitution Test performance was analyzed as the raw number of correctly completed items.
Measured: Minute 8 after onset of light exposure
Headache Intensity
Participants reported headache intensity using an 11-point numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain). The primary headache intensity outcome was the change in headache intensity, calculated as headache intensity after light exposure minus headache intensity prior to light exposure.
Measured: Minute 8 after onset of light exposure
Pupil Size
The primary pupillary outcome was mean bilateral pupil diameter, calculated as the mean of the right eye and left eye measurements.
Measured: At end of 10-minute light exposure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Oct 2026
- Study start27 Jun 2025
- Primary completion23 Oct 2025
- Study completion23 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for MigraineStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Arizona State UniversityThe 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
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Arizona State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Flinn Foundation
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nina Sharp, Arizona State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07898722
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00022297
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Impact of Spectrally Optimized Ambient White Light on Visual Discomfort, Headache Intensity, and Cognitive Performance Among Those With Migraine: A Randomized Crossover Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07898722
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STUDY00022297
- Conditions
- Migraine, Photophobia, Cognitive Function Assessment, Headache, Light Sensitivity, Light
- Keywords
- migraine, photophobia, Light Sensitivity, headache, cognitive function, lighting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Arizona State UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Flinn Foundation
- Study start
- 27 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 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.
The goal of this research is to study how effective an optimized white light is for improving visual comfort and reducing migraine symptoms. To do so, we will compare the effects of an optimized white light with those of a standard, commercially available white light.
The main study objectives are to:
- Compare the effects of an optimized white light spectrum vs. a conventional white light on visual discomfort levels in people with and without migraine.
- Evaluate the effects of each lighting condition on headache intensity, cognitive performance, and pupil size.
This study will inform the design of more comfortable lighting environments for individuals with migraine. The implementation of optimized white light in healthcare settings, offices, schools, and homes may serve as a practical strategy to improve comfort and reduce symptoms for those with migraine.
Detailed description
The goal of this research is to study the effects of a spectrally optimized white light on visual comfort and severity of migraine symptoms. To do so, the effects of an optimized white light will be compared to those from a standard, commercially available white light.
The main study objectives are to:
- Compare the effects of an optimized white light vs. a conventional white light on visual discomfort levels in people with and without migraine.
- Evaluate the effects of each lighting condition on headache intensity, cognitive performance, and pupil size.
This is a randomized crossover study in which 20 participants with migraine will be studied between migraine attacks and again during untreated migraine attacks. Twenty non-migraine healthy controls will also be studied.
Two ambient white-light conditions will be evaluated: a green-enriched, spectrally optimized white light (λpeak = 525 nm) and a conventional commercially available white light (λpeak = 450 nm). Participants will be exposed to each lighting condition for 10 minutes. For all participants: 1) visual discomfort levels will be assessed each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of exposure; 2) at minute 8 of exposure, participants will complete the Digit Symbol Substitution Test; 3) at the conclusion of the 10-minute exposure, pupil diameter will be measured. For participants with migraine studied during an untreated migraine attack, headache intensity will be measured prior to light exposure and at minute 8 of light exposure.
The results from this study will provide insights into the potential benefits of spectrally optimized white light on visual comfort, cognitive performance, and headache intensity.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Optimized White Light | Experimental | Other: Optimized Ambient White LightSpectrally Optimized White Light |
| Conventional White Light | Active comparator | Other: Conventional White Light |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Ages 18-45 years
- Able to communicate in English
- Ages 18-45 years
- Have migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (2018) criteria for migraine with or without aura
- Experience photosensitivity during migraine attacks
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- major health issues including but not limited to migraine, photophobia, post traumatic headaches, epilepsy, ocular disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal degenerative diseases, blindness
- Volunteer with Migraine
- Ocular disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal degenerative diseases, blindness.
- Current or prior history of epilepsy.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Optimized Ambient White LightGreen-enriched, spectrally optimized white light (λpeak = 525 nm) | Other | Optimized White Light |
| Conventional White Lightconventional white light (λpeak = 450 nm) | Other | Conventional White Light |
Primary outcome
Visual Discomfort
Time frame: Each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of each light exposure
Participants reported their visual discomfort using an 11-point numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (extreme discomfort). The primary visual discomfort outcome was the mean of the seven ratings collected at minutes 2-8.
3 secondary outcomes
Digit Symbol Substitution Test
Time frame: Minute 8 after onset of light exposure
Headache Intensity
Time frame: Minute 8 after onset of light exposure
Pupil Size
Time frame: At end of 10-minute light exposure
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable 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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Optimized Ambient White Light and Conventional White Light in people with Migraine and Photophobia, run by Arizona State University at 1 site in United States.
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 8 inclusion and 4 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 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 1 site in United States. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Discomfort (time frame: Each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of each light exposure). 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 27 Oct 2026.