Efficacy of Chronotherapeutic Combination for Major Depressive Episode With Insomnia

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects approximately 5% of the global population and represents the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the availability of pharmacological treatments, particularly antidepressants, their efficacy remains limited: nearly 50 to 60% of patients do not respond adequately after 8 weeks of treatment. One of the most common and persistent symptoms in MDD is insomnia, which affects about 85% of patients and frequently persists even after partial improvement of mood symptoms. Insomnia is not only a residual symptom but also a marker of poor prognosis and treatment resistance. Addressing sleep disturbances directly has been shown to enhance both symptomatic and functional remission in depression, making it a promising target for intervention.

In clinical practice, combination strategies are increasingly employed to improve therapeutic response, particularly in patients who are only partially responsive to antidepressant medication. Among these strategies, chronotherapeutic interventions, such as light therapy and prolonged-release melatonin, offer a compelling approach. These treatments have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects, with some studies reporting clinical improvements as early as the first week of treatment. Additionally, both interventions are known to positively influence sleep quality and circadian rhythm regulation, which are often disrupted in depressive disorders.

Light therapy (LT), in particular, has shown efficacy comparable to that of antidepressants and works by synchronizing the sleep-wake cycle. When used in combination with antidepressants, LT has been associated with significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms than antidepressants alone. Similarly, prolonged-release melatonin has been recommended in the management of insomnia comorbid with depression, further supporting the rationale for combining these chronotherapeutic agents.

This study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed in a 2x2 factorial format. It aims to evaluate the efficacy of two chronotherapeutic interventions, active light therapy (10,000 lux) for 8 weeks and 2 mg prolonged-release melatonin for 8 weeks, administered alone or in combination, in improving depressive symptoms at 8 weeks. The trial will enroll adult patients diagnosed with moderate to severe MDD and comorbid insomnia. The primary objective is to assess the change in depressive symptom severity, measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score, from baseline to week 8.

All participants, regardless of group allocation, will receive standard antidepressant treatment and structured sleep hygiene counseling to ensure a consistent baseline of care. This approach reflects real-world practices and enhances the ecological validity of the trial. The study also incorporates objective and subjective measures of sleep and circadian rhythms to explore the broader impact of the interventions.

By evaluating the combined and individual effects of light therapy and melatonin alongside standard care, this study seeks to establish an innovative and comprehensive therapeutic model. The goal is to improve outcomes for individuals with MDD and insomnia, particularly the substantial proportion of patients, up to 40%, who do not achieve adequate response with antidepressants alone. This trial represents a significant step toward more personalized, effective, and integrated treatment strategies for depression.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged between 18 and 65 years (to avoid the risk of cataract associated with light therapy) with a diagnosis of a major depressive episode (MDE) in the context of unipolar depression (according to DSM-5 criteria).
• Diagnosis of comorbid insomnia with the MDE, defined by difficulty initiating sleep, and/or maintaining sleep, and/or early morning awakenings with daytime consequences, occurring at least three times per week (according to DSM-5 and ICSD-3, in line with European guideline recommendations).
• Outpatients or inpatients treated for MDE in one of the psychiatric departments of the study centers, or in the sleep medicine department, for a minimum treatment duration of 8 weeks.
• Patients not currently receiving antidepressant treatment for the current MDE (previous use of antidepressants is allowed, provided treatment was stopped at least one month prior to study participation).
• A MADRS score ≥ 20 (clinician-rated), indicating at least a moderate-intensity depressive episode.
• An ISI score ≥ 8 (clinician-rated), indicating at least mild and clinically significant insomnia.
• No exposure to light therapy in the month prior to inclusion.
• Ability to understand and sign the informed consent form.
• Use of highly effective contraception for women of childbearing potential.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals under legal guardianship or deprived of liberty
• Ophthalmologic conditions (e.g., cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration) or diseases affecting the retina (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes, herpes, etc.)
• The following disorders (according to DSM-5): schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; bipolar disorder, particularly (hypo)manic episodes (YMRS score ≥ 12); other unstable mental disorders
• Other unstable general medical conditions
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Hypersomnia with prolonged total sleep time secondary to the depressive episode, according to ICSD-3 criteria
• Current depressive episode already being treated with an antidepressant
• Presence of a high suicidal risk, as assessed by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS, score ≥ 4)
• Ongoing melatonin treatment at the time of inclusion