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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05677932

Bright Light Therapy for Post-COVID-19 Fatigue

This is a randomized placebo-controlled trial to examine the efficacy of two-week bright light therapy for patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue.

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Key information

Conditions

Post COVID-19 Condition COVID-19 Chronic Disease Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Disease Attributes Fatigue Infections Lung Diseases Nidovirales Infections Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome Post-Infectious Disorders RNA Virus Infections Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Signs and Symptoms Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

About this study

This randomized placebo-controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of BLT in reducing fatigue symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The second aim of the study is to explore the effects of BLT on insomnia, depression and anxiety symptoms.

Method: Each eligible participant will be randomized to either i) bright light therapy (BLT) or ii) dim red light (placebo) treatment for 30-minutes daily at their habitual wake time for a total of two weeks. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, 2nd (end of treatment), and 4th week (post-treatment 2-week) for fatigue and other symptoms.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 or above
  • Capable to give informed consent
  • COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR test or a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) with onset of at least three months
  • Reports new onset or exacerbation of fatigue after onset of COVID-19 and lasted for over two months
  • Scoring 7 or above for the item "worst level of fatigue during the last 24 hours" in the Brief Fatigue Inventory

Exclusion criteria

  • A current or past history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental disorder, organic mental disorder; intellectual disabilities or substance use disorder.
  • Presence of contraindications to bright light therapy: for example, history of light induced migraine/ epilepsy; current use of photosensitizing medications; presence of eye disease: e.g. retinal blindness, severe cataract, glaucoma.
  • Significant medical condition/ hearing impairment/ speech deficit leading to incapability of completing clinical interview.
  • Regular shift-workers
  • Trans-meridian flight in the past 3 months and during the study
  • Currently receiving any structured psychotherapy
  • Self-reported untreated sleep disorders (e.g. severe insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome), psychiatric illness (e.g. depression), or medical conditions associated with fatigue (e.g. anemia, heart failure, autoimmune disorders)
  • Enrolment in another clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product or device.

Treatment and study plan

Bright Light Therapy

Device

Exposure to bright light therapy for 30mins a day for two weeks

dim Red Light therapy

Device

Exposure to 50lux dim red light therapy for 30mins a day for two weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Change of fatigue symptoms

    Time frame: at 2 weeks (at the end of treatment)

    Change in the score of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). BFI ranges from 0 to 90, higher scales indicates more severe fatigue

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change of insomnia symptoms

    Time frame: at 2 weeks (at the end of treatment)

    The change in the score of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), which ranges from 0-28, higher score indicates higher severity of insomnia

  2. Change of depressive symptoms

    Time frame: at 2 weeks (at the end of treatment)

    The change in the score of Patient Health Questionnaire -9 item (PHQ-9), which ranges from 0-27, with higher score indicates greater severity of depressive symptoms

  3. Change of anxiety symptoms

    Time frame: at 2 weeks (at the end of treatment)

    The change in the score of Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), which ranges from 0-21, with higher score indicates greater severity of anxiety symptoms

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jan 10, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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