Light therapy and strategic sleep may lift menopausal depression

NCT ID NCT06678880

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of California San Diego Hillcrest Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    San Diego, California, 92103, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••