Light Therapy Tested for Depression in Hospitalized Older Adults
Tests bright light therapy in hospitalized adults aged 60 and older with depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Bright Light Therapy for Depressed Geriatric Inpatients
Key facts
- Where
- Charleston, United StatesSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 2
Where in United States
- Medical University of South Carolina Institute of Psychiatry Senior Care UnitCharleston, United StatesNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Trial code
- NCT07002554
- Record updated
- 16 April 2026
- Original description
Bright light therapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of both seasonal and non-seasonal unipolar depression as well as bipolar depression, primarily in outpatients under the age of 60. There is a dearth of studies exploring the efficacy of this treatment modality among elderly depressed inpatients, which is our study population.Read full original descriptionShow less
The LIGHT-60 Trial - Light Intervention for Geriatric Patients Hospitalized for Depression Treatment
Bright light therapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of both seasonal and non-seasonal unipolar depression as well as bipolar depression, primarily in outpatients under the age of 60. There is a dearth of studies exploring the efficacy of this treatment modality among elderly depressed inpatients, which is our study population.
Inclusion: A current episode of non-psychotic unipolar depression as the primary reason for psychiatric hospitalization; Currently hospitalized on the MUSC Senior Care Unit; Age 60 years or older; HAMD-17 ≥8.
Exclusion: Any prior use of bright light therapy; Treatment with ECT; if a patient's condition deteriorates during study participation such that the treatment team feels ECT would be in their best interest, they will be withdrawn from study participation. For logistical and transport purposes, the study team feels that exclusion of patients receiving ECT will be necessarily. Additionally, these patients would likely be excluded from a future larger RCT given that ECT would likely interfere with signal of BLT efficacy; Primary indication for hospitalization is for a disorder other than major depressive disorder (determined by patient's treatment team); Photosensitive medical conditions or current use of photosensitizing medications - if patients have been advised by a treating clinician at any point to avoid sunlight because of their current medication regimen or medical condition, they will be considered to have a photosensitive medical condition and will be excluded from this study; Major neurocognitive disorder; Uncontrolled headaches or any migraines within the last month; Severe intellectual disability; Inability to consent for the study; Active psychosis; Inmates.