Extrait

Background and study aims Chronotherapy (including light therapy) helps adults suffering from depression to get better. This initial study investigates the possible effects of chronotherapy on mood, attention and sleep in children and adolescents. Who can participate? You can be included when you are an inpatient between the age of 12 and 18 with a moderate to severe depression and you do not get any medication (antidepressants, neuroleptics or beta-blocker). What does the study involve? You will receive morning light therapy for 14 consecutive days, each day for 45 minutes at an individually determined time point that fits your biological sleep rhythm (whether you are a morning, evening or in-between type) Two groups are compared: you either receive “active” light therapy with 10.000 Lux or “inactive” light therapy with 100 Lux Psychological and physiological tests are made before and after the intervention and again after a few weeks to investigate changes of your depression, sleep rhythm and other parameters What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Benefits of chronotherapy include symptom amelioration, additional therapeutic offer for inpatients, possibility of a treatment without medication, high predictability of the mechanisms of action. Possible risks of chronotherapy include headache, nausea, irritability, burning eyes, unexpected awakening during the night. Where is the study run from? The study takes place in the LWL-University Hospital Hamm in Germany When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The study started in August 2011 and will last until August 2014. Who is funding the study? Funded by the study investigator. Who is the main contact? Prof. Martin Holtmann [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Juvenile depression and affective dysregulation

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn