Can better sleep help depressed teens? small study tests new program
NCT ID NCT06239792
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested a behavioral sleep program for 16 depressed teenagers who slept less than 7 hours on school nights or had irregular sleep schedules. The program included one session with a provider and used smartphone tools to help teens create a plan for longer and more regular sleep. The goal was to see if the program was easy to use and acceptable, and if it could improve sleep and depression symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Sleep Promotion Program (behavioral intervention)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this program could offer a simple, non-drug way to improve sleep and mood in depressed teenagers.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early-stage trial with only 16 participants. Results may not apply to all teens, and the program may not work in larger studies.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2024
- Finished
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May 2025
- 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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12 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Youth: * Able and willing to provide informed assent (with consent from parent/guardian) * Ages 12-18 * Currently a patient at Kids Plus Pediatrics * Currently depressed * Report short sleep duration (\<7 hours on school nights) and/or weekday-weekend sleep timing difference of \>=2 hours Parents: Parents must be age 18 or older and the parent/guardian of an enrolled youth participant and must have at least 10 hours face-to-face interaction with the youth participant per week. Exclusion Criteria: Youth: * Significant or unstable medical conditions * Diagnosis of sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, nightmare disorder, or periodic limb movement disorder * Diagnosis of PTSD, bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder, or substance use disorder * Currently engaged in cognitive and/or behavioral therapy that aims to improve sleep * Changes in medications that impact sleep in the month prior to screening * Active suicidality requiring immediate treatment * Unable or unwilling to comply with study procedures * Have any physical or mental condition that would preclude study participation. Parents will be excluded if they: * Express active suicidality that requires immediate treatment; * Have any physical or mental condition that would preclude study participation; OR * Are unable or unwilling to comply with study procedures.
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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
Locations
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University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15217, United States
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