Light therapy for depression: scientists hunt for clues to predict who will respond

NCT ID NCT07462637

First seen Apr 01, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 14 times

Summary

This study aims to find biological markers that predict how well people with major depressive episodes respond to light therapy. Researchers will treat 173 adults with unipolar or bipolar depression using a bright light box for 4 weeks. By measuring sleep, mood, and circadian rhythms before and after treatment, they hope to identify a 'signature' of response, potentially personalizing light therapy for different depression subtypes.

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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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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

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

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • Bichat - Claude-Bernard Hospital

    Paris, 75018, France

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

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

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Light therapy (10,000-lux fluorescent white light box)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help doctors predict which patients with depression will benefit most from light therapy, leading to more personalized and effective treatment.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not identify clear biomarkers, and results may not apply to all depression types.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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