22,527 matching studies

Study is registered in ResearchMatch
Sponsor Condition of Interest
Circadian Mechanisms, Glucose, and CV Risks in T1D
University of Illinois at Chicago Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
People with type 1 diabetes are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Short and irregular sleep have been associated with cardiovascular risk in this population. Improving sleep regularity has been associated with improved glycemic markers however mechanisms by which improvin1 expand

People with type 1 diabetes are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Short and irregular sleep have been associated with cardiovascular risk in this population. Improving sleep regularity has been associated with improved glycemic markers however mechanisms by which improving sleep regularity improves metabolic and cardiovascular health is not known. The investigators propose to conduct a mechanistic study using a sleep stability manipulation. This proposal will advance the understanding of mechanisms by which improving sleep regularity influences glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in T1D.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Endogenous Pain Inhibition Deficiency in Chronic TMD Pain
University of Minnesota Chronic Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) involve a range of conditions with varied causes, affecting a large portion of the U.S. population and posing challenges for diagnosis and management, especially in chronic cases. Despite advances in understanding TMD pathophysiology, the role of central sensitiza1 expand

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) involve a range of conditions with varied causes, affecting a large portion of the U.S. population and posing challenges for diagnosis and management, especially in chronic cases. Despite advances in understanding TMD pathophysiology, the role of central sensitization, particularly deficient endogenous pain inhibition, remains unclear. The conditioned pain modulation (CPM) test, used to assess pain inhibition in chronic TMD pain, has produced inconsistent results due to varying testing parameters. The proposed cross-sectional study will investigate the efficiency of endogenous pain inhibition in individuals with chronic TMD pain compared to controls by applying noxious and non-noxious stimuli to facial and non-facial sites. The findings aim to clarify the impact of weaker pain inhibition over the face, how the conditioning stimulus' painfulness affects inhibition and the relationship between pain inhibition and fluctuations in TMD pain intensity.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Effectiveness and Implementation of Text Messaging to Improve HIV Testing in Adolescents
Northwestern University HIV
This study will test the effectiveness of a text message-based intervention on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing behaviors among adolescent (13-18 year old). To test the effectiveness on HIV testing behaviors we will randomize participants to the treatment or an attention matched informati1 expand

This study will test the effectiveness of a text message-based intervention on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing behaviors among adolescent (13-18 year old). To test the effectiveness on HIV testing behaviors we will randomize participants to the treatment or an attention matched information only control arm and asses our primary effectiveness outcome of objective HIV testing (e.g., photo of test results).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

Linking Education, Produce Provision, and Community Referrals to Improve Diabetes Care (LINK)
Ohio State University Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Nutrition Poor Food Deprivation
This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (pRCT) that aims to test the effect of produce provision, diabetes education, and community referrals on hemoglobin A1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes experiencing food insecurity. expand

This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (pRCT) that aims to test the effect of produce provision, diabetes education, and community referrals on hemoglobin A1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes experiencing food insecurity.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

CLOZAPINE Response in Biotype-1
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar 1 Disorder
The CLOZAPINE study is designed as a multisite study across 5 sites and is a clinical trial, involving human participants who are prospectively assigned to an intervention. The study will utilize a stringent randomized, double-blinded, parallel group clinical trial design. B2 group will serve as ps1 expand

The CLOZAPINE study is designed as a multisite study across 5 sites and is a clinical trial, involving human participants who are prospectively assigned to an intervention. The study will utilize a stringent randomized, double-blinded, parallel group clinical trial design. B2 group will serve as psychosis control with risperidone as medication control. The study is designed to evaluate effect of clozapine on the B1 participants, and the effect that will be evaluated is a biomedical outcome. The study sample will be comprised of individuals with psychosis, including 1) schizophrenia, 2) schizoaffective disorder and 3) psychotic bipolar I disorder. The investigators plan to initially screen and recruit n=524 (from both the existing B-SNIP library and newly-identified psychosis cases, ~50% each) in order to enroll n=320 (B1 and B2) into the RCT.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2022

open study

Hyperbaric Oxygen Brain Injury Treatment Trial
Gaylan Rockswold Traumatic Brain Injury
The purpose of this innovative adaptive phase II trial design is to determine the optimal combination of hyperbaric oxygen treatment parameters that is most likely to demonstrate improvement in the outcome of severe TBI patients in a subsequent phase III trial. expand

The purpose of this innovative adaptive phase II trial design is to determine the optimal combination of hyperbaric oxygen treatment parameters that is most likely to demonstrate improvement in the outcome of severe TBI patients in a subsequent phase III trial.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2018

open study

Towards Testing the Effectiveness of Recovery Community Centers (RCCs)
Massachusetts General Hospital Opioid Use Disorder
The goal of this pilot randomized clinical trial is to prepare for a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT) and collect some early data to learn if the intervention can help people who use medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is it feasible to1 expand

The goal of this pilot randomized clinical trial is to prepare for a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT) and collect some early data to learn if the intervention can help people who use medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is it feasible to recruit and randomize people to both treatment groups? 2. Does linking people to recovery community centers lead to better recovery outcomes? Researchers will compare linking people to recovery community centers (RCC) to enhanced treatment as usual to see if recovery outcomes are different. In one group, participants will learn about their local RCC and will be asked to visit their local RCC on at least two days and write about their experiences. In the other group, participants will learn about different recovery activities, pick any two, and do the activities of their choice on at least two days. They will also be asked to write about their experiences. People in both groups will answer online survey questions about their recovery outcomes and well-being in five surveys over one year.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

A Human Challenge Study to Assess Protection of a Shigella Tetravalent Bioconjugate Vaccine
LimmaTech Biologics AG Shigellosis
In this challenge study, the bioconjugate candidate vaccine Shigella4V2 will be tested for its ability to induce an immune response that protects healthy adult volunteers from infection with a wild-type Shigella sonnei strain compared to participants receiving placebo. expand

In this challenge study, the bioconjugate candidate vaccine Shigella4V2 will be tested for its ability to induce an immune response that protects healthy adult volunteers from infection with a wild-type Shigella sonnei strain compared to participants receiving placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2024

open study

MegaNatural BP® GSE on Blood Pressure and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Clinical Nutrition Research Center, Illinois Institute of Technology Hypertension Pre Diabetes
Inflammation and stressors can interfere with the function of the lining of blood vessels and insulin activity, therefore, investigators are aiming to see how the Grape seed Extract (GSE) called MegaNatural BP can help with limiting the effects of these factors. This research will study the effects1 expand

Inflammation and stressors can interfere with the function of the lining of blood vessels and insulin activity, therefore, investigators are aiming to see how the Grape seed Extract (GSE) called MegaNatural BP can help with limiting the effects of these factors. This research will study the effects of taking 150mg of MegaNatural BP GSE per day on blood pressure levels along with influences on heart health through assessing the function of the blood vessel lining and levels of inflammation.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

Dyadic Financial Incentive Treatments for Dual Smoker Couples
University of Georgia Smoking, Cigarette
Smokers partnered with other smokers (i.e., dual-smoker couples) represent ~2/3 of all smokers. Dual-smoker couples (DSCs) are less likely to try to quit smoking and more likely to relapse during a quit attempt, reducing overall smoking cessation rates and representing a high-risk clinical populati1 expand

Smokers partnered with other smokers (i.e., dual-smoker couples) represent ~2/3 of all smokers. Dual-smoker couples (DSCs) are less likely to try to quit smoking and more likely to relapse during a quit attempt, reducing overall smoking cessation rates and representing a high-risk clinical population. Despite their high prevalence and risk for persistent smoking, however, there are limited data on smoking cessation interventions among DSCs. Building on previous research that suggests a) financial incentive treatments (FITs) are effective at increasing quit rates and b) dyadic adaptations of FITs are feasible for implementation in DSCs, the proposed study will systematically two versions of FITs to enhance smoking cessation among DSCs. In addition to determining the efficacy of these dyadic FITs for smoking abstinence in DSCs, the investigators will consider the cost and cost effectiveness of each adaptation as well as mechanisms of change to inform future implementation research. The investigators will additionally consider secondary outcomes including abstinence during treatment and long-term abstinence maintenance after end of treatment. The investigators will address these questions in a three-group randomized controlled trial (RCT). In all conditions, individuals who have smoking partners (i.e., targets) will receive usual care (combination fast and slow acting Nicotine Replacement Therapy + quitting resources). In two conditions, participants will receive incentives for abstinence at three time points (1, 3, and 6 months post-baseline). In the SFIT condition, only the target in a couple will be offered incentives; in the DFIT condition, both target and partner will be offered incentives. Primary efficacy outcome is % point-prevalence abstinence at 6 months post-baseline among targets. Secondary outcomes are point-prevalence abstinence at 1 and 3 months during the treatment and 6 months post-treatment (12-months post-baseline), as well as partner outcomes. The investigators will evaluate possible mechanisms of change including partner support and individual and partner motivation to quit as well as evaluate the cost and relative cost of each abstainer within and across condition. These data on the efficacy, mechanisms, and costs of FITs for DSCs will inform population level implementation and promote successful quitting in this treatment refractory population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

Comparing Effectiveness of Physician-assisted Versus Self-assisted Pap Smear Collection
Morehouse School of Medicine Cervical Cancer Screening
This purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of the Personal Pap Smear Device™ to collect adequate cervical cell samples for cytology examination when compared with the Rover Cervex-Brush (Cervix-Examination Brush). expand

This purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of the Personal Pap Smear Device™ to collect adequate cervical cell samples for cytology examination when compared with the Rover Cervex-Brush (Cervix-Examination Brush).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

Dietary Intervention to Mitigate Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
University of Maryland, Baltimore Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome Fatigue
The primary objective of this study is to conduct a 16-week randomized controlled trial aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the Whole-Diet Approach when following a healthy US-style diet rich in anti-inflammatory properties. The study will focus on evaluating its impact on reducing symptoms1 expand

The primary objective of this study is to conduct a 16-week randomized controlled trial aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the Whole-Diet Approach when following a healthy US-style diet rich in anti-inflammatory properties. The study will focus on evaluating its impact on reducing symptoms related to Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PACS) in adults aged 50 years and older. The main research questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does adhering to a healthy US-style diet, which is abundant in anti-inflammatory properties, effectively mitigate fatigue symptoms in adults with PACS? 2. Does adhering to a healthy US-style diet, which is abundant in anti-inflammatory properties, effectively mitigate declines in muscle function and physical performance in adults with PACS? At the beginning of the study, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the Dietary Intervention Group, where they will receive personalized dietary plans and weekly sessions, or the Attention Control Group, where they will attend general health sessions on a weekly basis as well. This research intends to shed light on the potential benefits of the Whole-Diet Approach and its role in ameliorating PACS-related symptoms among older adults. By comparing the outcomes of the two groups, we hope to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of this dietary intervention in improving the quality of life for individuals dealing with PACS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

Low Sodium Oxybate in Patients With Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Mayo Clinic Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Low sodium oxybate has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia. In this study, the researchers want to learn how low sodium oxybate impacts ability of people diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia to sleep for long periods of time. In1 expand

Low sodium oxybate has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia. In this study, the researchers want to learn how low sodium oxybate impacts ability of people diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia to sleep for long periods of time. In addition, this study will use novel tools to determine when an individual is awake or asleep.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2024

open study

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Reading Comprehension Ability in Adults
Vanderbilt University Reading Disability
The goal of this project is to address the urgent need for effective, scalable adult literacy interventions by integrating breakthroughs in two separate fields: 1.) the brain network science of resilience to reading disorders and 2.) high-definition non-invasive brain network stimulation. This stud1 expand

The goal of this project is to address the urgent need for effective, scalable adult literacy interventions by integrating breakthroughs in two separate fields: 1.) the brain network science of resilience to reading disorders and 2.) high-definition non-invasive brain network stimulation. This study will first establish the efficacy of a novel, noninvasive stimulation protocol on reading behavior and brain metrics; then will determine how stimulation-induced effects interact with baseline reading comprehension ability; and lastly, will identify whether stimulation-induced effects are more clinically-beneficial than canonical behavioral interventions. Results may change the foundation for how we treat low adult literacy, and have the potential for wider reaching impacts on non-invasive stimulation protocols for other clinical disorders.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

Affirmative Psychotherapy for Sexual Minority Women's Mental and Behavioral Health
Yale University Heavy Drinking Mental Health Issue
The purpose of this 2-arm randomized controlled trial is to assess the efficacy of a 10-session lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-affirmative cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) delivered via telehealth in a large sample of sexual minority women (SMW) in New York, New Jers1 expand

The purpose of this 2-arm randomized controlled trial is to assess the efficacy of a 10-session lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-affirmative cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) delivered via telehealth in a large sample of sexual minority women (SMW) in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The investigators will assess whether the EQuIP (Empowering Queer Identities in Psychotherapy) treatment demonstrates significant reductions in heavy drinking (HD) and mental health symptoms (e.g., depression) compared to LGBTQ-affirmative treatment-as-usual.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

Robot Aided Rehabilitation - Multi-joint Evaluations
University of Maryland, Baltimore Stroke
Sensory and motor impairments following stroke can lead to substantial disability involving the arm and hand. The investigator hypothesized that excessive local and cross-coupled stiffness, diminished individuation and proprioceptive acuity will be present among multiple degree of freedom in the up1 expand

Sensory and motor impairments following stroke can lead to substantial disability involving the arm and hand. The investigator hypothesized that excessive local and cross-coupled stiffness, diminished individuation and proprioceptive acuity will be present among multiple degree of freedom in the upper limb. The stiffness and spasticity will increase with time post-stroke. The objective of this study is to quantify the progression throughout the arm and hand during recovery from stroke. The investigator will measure the clinical assessment scores, and neuromechanical properties including range of motion, active and passive cross coupling, and spasticity by the IntelliArm robot.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2018

open study

Allopregnanolone and Dynamic GABA-A Receptor Plasticity in Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor R1
Johns Hopkins University Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe affective disorder impacting millions of women worldwide, thought to be due to altered sensitivity to hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Neuroactive steroid hormones (NAS) and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor (GABAAR) are1 expand

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe affective disorder impacting millions of women worldwide, thought to be due to altered sensitivity to hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Neuroactive steroid hormones (NAS) and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor (GABAAR) are thought to play a role in PMDD. This research will assess the blood levels of GABAergic NAS, expression of associated enzymes, and expression of GABAAR subunits across the premenstrual (luteal) phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy controls and individuals with PMDD. Within the PMDD group, the investigators will assess how these measures are affected by a low-dose antidepressant medication versus placebo. The results will provide a comprehensive view of the changes in these systems across the menstrual cycle and will add to the investigator's understanding of the mechanisms that underlie PMDD, as well as therapeutic mechanisms of PMDD treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

Cognitive Training and Neuroplasticity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: COGIT-2 Trial
Columbia University Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Cognitive Training
Effective, clinically meaningful treatments are lacking for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is associated with increased risk of transition to dementia. Cognitive training represents an important therapeutic strategy. In a previous study, crossword puzzles were found to be supe1 expand

Effective, clinically meaningful treatments are lacking for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is associated with increased risk of transition to dementia. Cognitive training represents an important therapeutic strategy. In a previous study, crossword puzzles were found to be superior to computerized cognitive training on the primary cognitive outcome and function with decreased brain atrophy. Building on these findings, this study will evaluate and compare the impact of high dose crosswords (4 puzzles per week) to low dose crosswords (1 puzzle per week) and a health education control group on the cognition and function of participants.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

Virtual Peer Coaching in Manual Wheelchair Skills
University of Pittsburgh Wheelchair Paraplegia Spinal Cord Injury Tetraplegia/Tetraparesis Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of remote manual wheelchair skills training program. First, peer coaches will be enrolled and trained. Then, trainees will be enrolled into one of three interventions: intervention with remote feedback (Group 1), wait list control group1 expand

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of remote manual wheelchair skills training program. First, peer coaches will be enrolled and trained. Then, trainees will be enrolled into one of three interventions: intervention with remote feedback (Group 1), wait list control group (Group 2), and structured self-study (Group 3).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

Placebo Impacts Sleep and Pain Modulation in Chronic Pain
University of Maryland, Baltimore Chronic Pain Headache
The goal of this free-choice parallel design clinical trial is to examine the potential beneficial effects of using open-label placebo (OLP) in improving chronic pain related outcomes and sleep quality in people with temporomandibular disorders. This study will enroll a cohort of participants with1 expand

The goal of this free-choice parallel design clinical trial is to examine the potential beneficial effects of using open-label placebo (OLP) in improving chronic pain related outcomes and sleep quality in people with temporomandibular disorders. This study will enroll a cohort of participants with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) which lasts for more than 3 months. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will participants with TMD be more likely to take open-label placebo pills if they are introduced to the effects of placebo (e.g., going through an expectation management session)? 2. Will taking open-label placebo plus expectation management improve chronic pain related outcomes, such as chronic pain intensity, interference, levels of anxiety and depression, in the cohort of TMD? 3. Will open-label placebo plus expectation management improve sleep quality in participants suffering from TMD? To answer the above questions, participants with TMD will be randomly assigned to three groups: 1. Open-label placebo plus expectation management group, where participants will complete a 1-hour discussion session about their expectations toward open-lable placebo intervention, and then take 1 open-labe placebo pill per day for a total of 45 days. 2. Open-label placebo only group where participants will be asked to take open-label placebo pills, one pill per day, for a total of 45 days. 3. standard of care group where participants will maintain their usual care without introducing open-label placebo to them during the 45 days monitoring. Researchers will compare the chronic pain intensity, interference, mood, anxiety, and sleep quality between the open-label placebo group and the wait-list group. Daily chronic pain will be measured using visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0=no pain at all to 100=maximum tolerable pain. Chronic pain interference using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference and pain behavior. Anxiety and depression will be measured using PROMIS-anxiety, and PROMIS-depression scales respectively. Finally, sleep quality will be quantified using the objective measurement Motion Watch during the 45 days intervention and monitoring. In order to have a rigorous measurement of the baseline pain and sleep fluctuation, this study will include a 7-day phenotyping period before the starting of the 45-day intervention and monitoring. During the 7-day phenotyping period, participants will record their daily chronic pain and sleep quality using polysomnography.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

A Study of the Effects of Oxytocin in Adults With Binge-eating Disorder
Massachusetts General Hospital Binge-eating Disorder
This study evaluates the impact of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo in patients with binge eating disorder or episodes of binging. We hypothesize that 8 weeks of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo will improve clinical outcomes [reduction in bingeing frequency], and have a satisfactory safety and tolerab1 expand

This study evaluates the impact of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo in patients with binge eating disorder or episodes of binging. We hypothesize that 8 weeks of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo will improve clinical outcomes [reduction in bingeing frequency], and have a satisfactory safety and tolerability profile. We will also explore the predictive value of changes in homeostatic appetite, reward sensitivity, and impulse control, the identified underlying mediators, as assessed 4 weeks into the intervention, for treatment success after 8 weeks of the intervention.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

Piloting Y-AMBIENT: A Quality of Life Intervention for Young African American Breast Cancer Survivo1
University of Alabama at Birmingham Breast Cancer Anatomic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v8 Anatomic Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v8 Anatomic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8 Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8
The purpose of this two-arm pilot RCT is to evaluate processes and preliminary outcomes of a targeted QOL intervention vs. an attention control among young AA survivors post-treatment for early (I-II) & late (III) stage breast cancer. expand

The purpose of this two-arm pilot RCT is to evaluate processes and preliminary outcomes of a targeted QOL intervention vs. an attention control among young AA survivors post-treatment for early (I-II) & late (III) stage breast cancer.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study

Mitigating the Pro-inflammatory Phenotype of Obesity
University of Kansas Medical Center Blood Pressure Diabetes Obesity Insulin Resistance Diuretics Drug Reactions
The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6). Our study is a pr1 expand

The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6). Our study is a prospective study using a randomized, double-blinded design to test 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) compared with a BP-lowering control condition (diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide) or a placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

Neural Mechanisms of Immersive Virtual Reality in Chronic Pain
University of Maryland, Baltimore Pain Virtual Reality Placebo Temporomandibular Disorder
This project examines, in chronic pain, the mechanisms of immersive virtual reality compared to the mechanisms of placebo hypoalgesia. The potential of developing new non-pharmacological premises for low-risk interventions for pain management is high. expand

This project examines, in chronic pain, the mechanisms of immersive virtual reality compared to the mechanisms of placebo hypoalgesia. The potential of developing new non-pharmacological premises for low-risk interventions for pain management is high.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2021

open study

Light Timing Study
Rush University Medical Center Chronobiology Light Sleep Circadian Rhythm Adolescence
Chronic circadian misalignment and sleep restriction peak during late adolescence, and are associated with morning daytime sleepiness, poor academic performance, conduct problems, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, substance use, insulin resistance, and obesity. Bright light exposure from light box1 expand

Chronic circadian misalignment and sleep restriction peak during late adolescence, and are associated with morning daytime sleepiness, poor academic performance, conduct problems, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, substance use, insulin resistance, and obesity. Bright light exposure from light boxes can shift rhythms earlier (phase advance) to facilitate earlier sleep onset and reduce morning circadian misalignment and the associated risks. To phase advance circadian rhythms, the investigators' PRCs showed that the ideal time to begin light exposure was slightly before wake-up time and light should be avoided around bedtime because this is when light produces maximum phase delay shifts. An unexpected finding from these results, however, was a second advancing region in the afternoon (~6 to 9 h after habitual wake-up time) suggesting that afternoon light may have more circadian phase advancing ability than traditionally thought. The overall goal of this mechanistic study is to follow-up on the unexpected PRC findings and test whether individually-timed afternoon light alone and in combination with morning bright light can shift circadian rhythms earlier in older adolescents. Four groups will be compared in a randomized parallel group design: afternoon bright light, morning bright light, morning + afternoon bright light, and a dim room light control. Adolescents will complete a 2-week protocol. After a baseline week with a stable sleep schedule, adolescents will live in the laboratory for 7 days. Sleep/dark and the time of bright light exposure will gradually shift earlier. Bright light (~5000 lux) will be timed individually based on his/her stable baseline sleep schedule. The first 3-h morning bright light exposure will begin 1 h before wake on the first morning. The first 3-h afternoon bright light exposure will begin 5 h after wake. The morning + afternoon exposures will begin at the same times, but each exposure will be 1.5 h so that a total of 3 h of bright light per day will be given to each group except the dim light control group. Phase shifts of the circadian clocks marked by the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) is the main outcome. Investigators hypothesize that afternoon bright light will work synergistically with morning bright light to produce larger shifts than morning or afternoon bright light alone. These data could challenge the current understanding of how to use bright light to shift circadian rhythms earlier.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study