Light therapy and strategic sleep may lift menopausal depression

NCT ID NCT06678880

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of California, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 06, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This study looks at whether adjusting sleep timing and using bright light therapy can improve mood and sleep in perimenopausal women with depression. Researchers will have 120 women either advance or delay their sleep for one night, then use a light box for 30 minutes daily for two weeks. The goal is to understand how the body's internal clock affects depression during menopause.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: bright white light therapy and sleep timing adjustment
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a simple, non-drug treatment for depression during menopause by resetting the body's internal clock.
What could go wrong: This is an early, small study (120 participants) focused on understanding mechanisms, not proving a treatment works. Results may not apply to all women, and the sleep restriction involved could temporarily worsen mood or alertness.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSION DEPRESSION DURING THE MENOPAUSAL TRANSITION MENOPAUSAL DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of California San Diego Hillcrest Medical Center
RECRUITING

San Diego, California, 92103, United States

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