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Impact of Morning Light Therapy in IBD

The Effects of Morning Light Therapy on IBD Activity and Symptoms

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07207200
Enrollment
30
Registered
2025-10-03
Start date
2026-03-01
Completion date
2027-07-01
Last updated
2026-03-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Brief summary

The pilot study will focus on the effects of morning light therapy (MLT) in adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who have evidence of poor sleep quality and active inflammation. The specific population is at risk for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and has significant potential benefit from circadian realignment, which may lead to improved sleep quality and, ultimately, UC-related inflammatory activity. During an initial one-week lead-in period, participants will obtain baseline circadian-related labs, complete symptom-related surveys, and use a wearable device continuously to obtain baseline sleep-wake data. After the lead-in week, patients will undergo one hour of MLT while wearing wearable devices continuously and completing daily symptom surveys. At the end of four weeks of MLT, patients will obtain post-intervention circadian and inflammatory assessments in addition to completing the same symptom-related surveys.

Interventions

One hour of morning light therapy each day for four weeks

Sponsors

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

One hour of morning light therapy each day for four weeks

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with ulcerative colitis and signs of inflammation (Fecal calprotectin \>150 mcg/g and/or CRP \>5)

Exclusion criteria

* Known pregnancy or currently lactating women * Current malignancy or active treatment for previously diagnosed malignancy. Patients with squamous and basal cell cancer of the skin are eligible for the study. * Serious co-morbidity including: Immunodeficiency, recent myocardial infarction or stroke, history of renal or hepatic failure, infection such as abscess, opportunistic infection, or sepsis. * Patients with pacemaker or defibrillators * The use of medications known to affect autonomic nervous system function, including but not limited to beta-blockers and benzodiazepines. * Comprehension of the English language not adequate to understand the questionnaires * Recent changes in IBD directed therapies within the last 3 months * Regular use of antidiarrheal agents. * Regular use of medications that have been shown to impair sleep (e.g. steroids, stimulants). If willing (and medically appropriate) to washout for 4 weeks, participant can be then enrolled in the study * Regular use of sleep medications including but not limited to: benzodiazepine hypnotics, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, antipsychotics, and melatonin. If willing (and medically appropriate) to washout for 4 weeks, participant can be then enrolled in the study * Patients with prior colectomy or total proctocolectomy * History of any surgery within 3 months * Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea * Blindness or severely impaired, uncorrected vision * Employment which includes nocturnal shift work * Traveling multiple time zones within the study time frame * Any marijuana or illicit drugs use within one month of enrollment or ongoing basis

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
C-reactive protein (CRP) levelweek 4C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver. The CRP test is a general test to check for inflammation in the body.
Fecal Calprotectin (FCP)week 4The fecal calprotectin is a stool test which measures intestinal inflammation.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS 10)week 4A series of person-centered measures that evaluate and monitor physical, mental, and social health in adults.
Change in Microbiome compositionweek 4Microbiome assessment
Change in Morning urine melatonin levelweek 4Urine samples at the beginning and end of the study

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTHyder Said
hyder.said@mountsinai.org212-824-7786
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORHyder Said

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRobert Hirten, MD

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026