Glasses that shine light on postpartum depression

NCT ID NCT04845347

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Michigan Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested a wearable morning light device (Re-Timer) for women with postpartum depression. 95 women wore either bright or dim light glasses for 60 minutes each morning for 5 weeks. Researchers measured changes in depression symptoms, sleep, and body clock timing. The goal was to see if bright light therapy could improve mood and reset the internal clock after childbirth.

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 via wearable glasses (Re-Timer)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free option to ease postpartum depression symptoms at home.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with no phase designation. The placebo (dim light) may also improve symptoms, making it hard to prove the bright light is better. Results may not apply to all women with postpartum depression.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression major depressive disorder postpartum depression

As listed by the trial registrant

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

POST PARTUM DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.