Bright light, better nights: new hope for veterans with TBI

NCT ID NCT03785600

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether sitting in front of a bright lightbox for an hour each morning could improve sleep, reduce pain, and boost quality of life in 77 veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Participants used either a lightbox or a negative ion generator (placebo) for 60 minutes within 90 minutes of waking. The goal was to see if better sleep could help veterans recover more fully from their injuries.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Morning bright light therapy (lightbox)
What this could lead to: If effective, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to improve sleep and reduce pain in veterans with TBI, helping them recover better.
What could go wrong: This was a small, completed trial with only 77 participants, so results may not apply to all veterans. Light therapy may not work for everyone and can cause eye strain or headache.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic Chronic Pain traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon, 97207-2964, United States

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