New sleep program for depressed teens shows promise in primary care
NCT ID NCT06240325
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 10, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests a brief behavioral sleep program for depressed teens aged 12-18 who sleep less than 7 hours or have irregular sleep. The program uses two sessions and smartphone tools to help teens set sleep goals. Researchers will compare it to a simple sleep education session to see if it's feasible and improves sleep and depression.
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 it works, this could provide a simple, scalable way to improve sleep and mood in depressed teens without medication.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage pilot study (50 teens per group) testing feasibility, not yet proven to work. Results may not apply to all teens or settings.
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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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2024
- Expected to finish
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Nov 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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12 to 18 years
- 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 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.
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
1 site. 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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University of Pittsburgh
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15217, United States
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