Could morning light soothe your gut? new trial tests bright light therapy for Crohn's
NCT ID NCT05579392
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether morning bright light therapy can help people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis by reducing gut leaks and inflammation. About 30 adults with stable medication will use a light box each morning for 8 weeks. Researchers will check changes in gut barrier function, gut bacteria, and quality of life.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2022
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Biopsy proven diagnosis of Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis 2. 18 years or older 3. Fecal Calprotectin \> 50 or CRP above upper limit of normal or a PROMISE Fatigue ≥ 50 4. Has been on a stable dose of either a biologic, immunomodulator, or 5-ASA for at least 12 weeks Exclusion Criteria: 1. Active IBD (Harvey Bradshaw Index \> 5 or Modified Harvey Bradshaw Index \>5) 2. Major depression (score ≥ 21 or any endorsement of suicidal intent on the Beck Depression) 3. Sleep apnea (score high risk in 2 or more categories of the Berlin Questionnaire) (43) 4. Restless leg syndrome (score ≥ 15 on the IRLS Study Group Rating Scale(44)) 5. Regular use of medications that affect intestinal permeability, and/or endogenous melatonin including metoclopramide, NSAIDs, beta blockers, psychotropic medications, hypnotics and exogenous melatonin products during 4 weeks prior to the study 6. People who have worked night shifts or crossed more than 2 time zones in the previous month 7. Any major organ disease - renal impairment (creatinine\>1.2 mg/dL), diabetes (Hgb-A1c \> 6.5%); liver disease (LFTs \> 1.5x normal), or significant cardiac failure (NY classification stage III/IV) 8. Diagnosis of narrow angle glaucoma or retinal disorders or demonstrated symptoms indicative of these diagnosis during the eligibility screening 9. Inability to sign an informed consent
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Medical University of South Carolina
RECRUITINGCharleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Rush University Medical Center
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60068, United States
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