Virtual Darkness as Additive Treatment in Mania

NCT ID: NCT01818622

Last Updated: 2015-03-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

69 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2012-02-29

Study Completion Date

2015-03-31

Brief Summary

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In this randomized controlled study we will investigate the effect of blue-blocking goggles or screens (virtual darkness therapy) on manic symptoms in bipolar disorder compared to placebo. This 3-armed study includes 2 patient-groups and a non-bipolar control-group. The main hypothesis is that virtual darkness therapy is effective as additive treatment in mania.Other hypotheses are that virtual darkness therapy has significant effects on sleep, motor activity, circadian rhythm and mood also in the non-bipolar control-group.

Detailed Description

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Recent discoveries in neurophysiology has shown that "virtual darkness" is achievable by blocking blue wavelengths of light (Phelps, 2007). A newly discovered retinal photoreceptor called the Intrinsically photoresponsive retinal ganglion-cell (IpRGC) whose fibers directly synapses with the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), responds only to a narrow band of wavelengths with highest sensitivity between 446 and 484 nm (Brainard et al., 2001; Berson 2007). Amber tinted goggles preserve normal nocturnal melatonin levels in light environments, which means that blocking of the blue wavelengths is perceived as virtual darkness to the SCN (Kayumov, 2005; Sasseville, 2006).

In this randomized controlled study we will investigate the effect of blue-blocking goggles or screens (virtual darkness therapy) on manic symptoms in bipolar disorder compared to placebo. The general feasibility of the method both in research and treatment will be evaluated. This is a multi-site study covering Helse Fonna Local Health Authority's catchment area wich serves a population of 120000 adults. This 3-armed study includes 2 patient-groups and a non-bipolar control-group. The main hypothesis is that virtual darkness therapy is effective as additive treatment in mania.Other hypotheses are that virtual darkness therapy has significant effects on sleep, motor activity, circadian rhythm and mood also in the non-bipolar control-group. The study may contribute to develop a supplement to the current treatment in mania and may also generate new hypotheses about the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in bipolar disorder.

Conditions

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Bipolar Disorder Mania

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Patient-group blue-blockers

N= 21 Blue-blocking goggles/screens from 6 p.m. to 08 a.m. in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). The goggles may be taken of when going to bed and turning of the light. For consenting patients who are unable to use goggles according to the protocol blue-blocking screens covering light-sources will be used.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Blue-blocking goggles/screens

Intervention Type DEVICE

Goggles with amber tinted lenses, all model's transmittance spectra are identical. Goggles and screens are tested at Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen. Patients and non-bipolar controls choose model for best comfort.

Patient group clear-lensed goggles

N= 21 (Patient group) clear-lensed goggles from 06 p.m. to 08 a.m. in addition to TAU.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Clear-lensed goggles

Intervention Type DEVICE

Clear lensed safety eyewear. Patients may choose model for best comfort.

Non-bipolar control-group blue-blockers

N= 42 For baseline day 1-7: Actiwatch Spectrum worn at the wrist of dominant hand, day 8-14 continued wearing of Actiwatch spectrum + blue-blocking goggles from 6 p.m. to 08 a.m. In addition to selfreport forms described in the outcome section self report forms Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionaire (HOMEQ)and Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionaire (SPAQ).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Blue-blocking goggles/screens

Intervention Type DEVICE

Goggles with amber tinted lenses, all model's transmittance spectra are identical. Goggles and screens are tested at Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen. Patients and non-bipolar controls choose model for best comfort.

Interventions

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Blue-blocking goggles/screens

Goggles with amber tinted lenses, all model's transmittance spectra are identical. Goggles and screens are tested at Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen. Patients and non-bipolar controls choose model for best comfort.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Clear-lensed goggles

Clear lensed safety eyewear. Patients may choose model for best comfort.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Goggles from LowBlueLights.com, several different designs Screens from Ganta Trading 047 Orange-red Uvex Genesis Cocraft Safety Glasses 40-7362 3M Refine 300 PC AS/AF

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Inpatients
* Diagnosis of DSM IV-TR of Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder with current manic episode as verified by the semistructured interview MINI plus
* Ability to comply with the protocol
* Willingness to participate in the study
* Delayed written informed consent at discharge


* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to comply with the protocol
* Severe retinal damage, cataract or corneal damage on both eyes
* Daily use of NSAIDS
* Daily use of betablockers
* Daily use of calcium-antagonists

NON-BIPOLAR CONTROLS


* Working night shift
* Diagnosed with bipolar disorder or single manic episode
* Severe retinal damage, cataract or corneal damage on both eyes
* Daily use of alcohol
* Daily use of benzodiazepines
* Daily use of NSAIDS
* Daily use of betablockers
* Daily use of calcium-antagonists
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Bergen

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Helse Vest

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Moodnet

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Helse Fonna

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Tone Elise Gjoetterud Henriksen

Chief Consultant

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Anders Lund, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

University of Bergen, Moodnet

Locations

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Haugesund Hospital and Haugaland District Psychiatric Hospital

Haugesund, , Norway

Site Status

Valen Hospital and Folgfonn District Hospital

Valen, , Norway

Site Status

Countries

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Norway

References

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Phelps J. Dark therapy for bipolar disorder using amber lenses for blue light blockade. Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(2):224-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2007.05.026. Epub 2007 Jul 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17637502 (View on PubMed)

Berson DM. Phototransduction in ganglion-cell photoreceptors. Pflugers Arch. 2007 Aug;454(5):849-55. doi: 10.1007/s00424-007-0242-2. Epub 2007 Mar 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17351786 (View on PubMed)

Brainard GC, Hanifin JP, Greeson JM, Byrne B, Glickman G, Gerner E, Rollag MD. Action spectrum for melatonin regulation in humans: evidence for a novel circadian photoreceptor. J Neurosci. 2001 Aug 15;21(16):6405-12. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-16-06405.2001.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11487664 (View on PubMed)

Kayumov L, Casper RF, Hawa RJ, Perelman B, Chung SA, Sokalsky S, Shapiro CM. Blocking low-wavelength light prevents nocturnal melatonin suppression with no adverse effect on performance during simulated shift work. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 May;90(5):2755-61. doi: 10.1210/jc.2004-2062. Epub 2005 Feb 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15713707 (View on PubMed)

Sasseville A, Paquet N, Sevigny J, Hebert M. Blue blocker glasses impede the capacity of bright light to suppress melatonin production. J Pineal Res. 2006 Aug;41(1):73-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-079X.2006.00332.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16842544 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2011/1668

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

911678

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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