Regulating Mood and Suicidal Ideation with Morning Light Exposure Treatment
Abstract
The present study examines the effects of morning light exposure on the mood and quality of sleep of active military members who report mild to moderate symptoms of depression. A total of 400 active military members including active duty, national guard, and reserves from all branches will participate in a fully remote, counterbalanced, cross-over study design for 46 days. We will track their daily mood and sleep quality through online assessments and wearable biodata devices such as a Dreem Headband (flexible at home 5-channel EEG) and Fitbit watch (actigraphy tracker). Participants must complete daily assessments between the hours of 6 am and 11 am while wearing light-emitting glasses for 30 minutes. Assessments include scales of depression, anxiety, aggression, and stress, along with baseline measurements of sleepiness, personality, caffeine consumption and more. Participants will be randomly assigned to Condition 1, meaning active blue light first, then placebo red light next, or Condition 2, placebo red light first, then active blue light next. The timeline consists of three two-week blocks where the first and last block will be their light treatment, separated by a two-week washout period where daily online assessments are still completed but no glasses will be worn, and neither will the Dreem Headband. It is hypothesized that participants' mood and sleep quality will improve during the two-week active light segment in comparison to the placebo light segment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1218514
Entities
People
- William D. Killgore
Organizations
- University of Arizona