Can a bright lamp lift teen depression? new study tests home light therapy
NCT ID NCT06913309
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether using a bright light device at home for 40 minutes each morning can help teens aged 13-17 with major depression. Participants are split into three groups: high-intensity light, medium-intensity light, or a dim red light placebo. The goal is to see if light therapy safely reduces depressive symptoms and improves sleep, thinking, and mood over four weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
bright light therapy (device)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a safe, non-drug option to ease depression symptoms in teens, possibly improving mood and daily function.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage trial with only 168 participants, so results may not apply to all teens. The placebo effect from light exposure could also blur the true benefit.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
RECRUITINGBeijing, Beijing Municipality, 10000, China
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Peking University Sixth Hospital
RECRUITINGBeijing, Beijing Municipality, 10000, China
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Yan'an Third People's Hospital
RECRUITINGYanan, Shanxi, China
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••