This study will test a consumer health light therapy device (Re-Timer) for women with postpartum depression to better understand how it affects mood and the body clock (also called the circadian clock). Eligible participants will be enrolled and randomized after baseline assessments. In addition to using the Re-Timer light for 5 weeks participants will complete questionnaires at various timepoints, record sleep information, wear an actigraph watch, and provide saliva samples. Additionally, the sleep of the participants' infants will also be monitored using an ankle-worn device (actigraph) and sleep diary at certain time-points as this may influence the mother's mood/sleep, and in turn affect the results. The hypotheses regarding the bright light versus the placebo dim light of the study are: * morning bright light therapy will produce greater improvement from pre- to post-treatment on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression * morning bright light therapy will lengthen the Phase angle difference (PAD) and this will mediate change in depression symptoms. * morning bright light therapy will produce greater improvements on self-reported depression symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness, maternal-infant bonding, social functioning, and sleep-related impairment from pre- to post-treatment.
Post Partum Depression
This study will test a consumer health light therapy device (Re-Timer) for women with postpartum depression to better understand how it affects mood and the body clock (also called the circadian clock). Eligible participants will be enrolled and randomized after baseline assessments. In addition to using the Re-Timer light for 5 weeks participants will complete questionnaires at various timepoints, record sleep information, wear an actigraph watch, and provide saliva samples. Additionally, the sleep of the participants' infants will also be monitored using an ankle-worn device (actigraph) and sleep diary at certain time-points as this may influence the mother's mood/sleep, and in turn affect the results. The hypotheses regarding the bright light versus the placebo dim light of the study are: * morning bright light therapy will produce greater improvement from pre- to post-treatment on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression * morning bright light therapy will lengthen the Phase angle difference (PAD) and this will mediate change in depression symptoms. * morning bright light therapy will produce greater improvements on self-reported depression symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness, maternal-infant bonding, social functioning, and sleep-related impairment from pre- to post-treatment.
A Wearable Morning Light Treatment for Postpartum Depression
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University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.
For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.
18 Years to
FEMALE
No
University of Michigan,
Leslie Swanson, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Michigan
2025-05