Exercise and Bright Light Treatment: Effects on Body Weight and Composition

October 4, 2006 updated by: University Health Network, Toronto

Moderate Exercise and Bright Light Treatment in Overweight Individuals

Bright light therapy has been used to safely and effectively treat conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder and to regularize sleep in patients with circadian rhythm disorder. Based on evidence of the link between bright light, serotonin, mood and carbohydrate metabolism, it has been suggested that bright light therapy can improve weight loss but the literature on the subject is sparse. Further, the literature suggests that apart from any changes in mood and carbohydrate metabolism, bright light may reduce the unpleasant side-effects of exercise and increase compliance to an exercise program.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Objective: Increased physical activity is important given the concern over the growing rates of obesity. Bright light therapy has the potential to enhancing serotonin levels, impact on carbohydrate metabolism and reducing soreness and hyperthermia associated with physical activity. The aim of this study is to conduct a controlled investigation of the effects of bright light therapy and exercise on weight loss and body composition in overweight individuals.

Research Methods and Procedures: Twenty-five overweight male and female subjects will be assigned to 6 weeks of moderate exercise with or without bright light treatment. Outcome measure included changes in body mass and body composition and ratings of mood, seasonality and sleep.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

24

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8
        • University Health Network

Participation Criteria

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 55 years (ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Overweight subjects
  • Subjects in otherwise good health
  • Subjects willing to participate in a 6-week moderate exercise program
  • Bedtime between 10pm and 12am; wake-up time between 6am and 8am
  • Score in the median range of the Morningness/ Eveningness Questionnaire (i.e., subjects show no distinct characteristics of phase delay or phase advance)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Progressive eye disease
  • History of cataracts, macular degeneration or have undergone laser corrective eye surgery in the past 30 days.
  • Currently taking any medications, e.g. antibiotics, tricyclic antidepressants, that may affect photosensitivity
  • History of heart disease
  • History of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, emphysema
  • Any severe or uncontrolled general medical condition
  • Severe psychiatric disorder (as determined by psychiatrist - CMS)
  • History of mania
  • Grossly obese individuals with morbid obesity

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: PARALLEL
  • Masking: DOUBLE

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
The primary outcome measure will be the amount of weight loss.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Secondary outcome measures will be the ratings of mood on the POMS, CES-D and SPAQ

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Collaborators

The Litebook Company Ltd.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 2003

Study Completion

December 1, 2003

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 4, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 4, 2006

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

October 6, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE)

October 6, 2006

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 4, 2006

Last Verified

July 1, 2006

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 03-0184-BE

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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