Bright Light Intervention to Reduce Students' Stress (BLISS)
Psychological Stress, Physiological Stress, Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Psychological Stress focused on measuring stress, light therapy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- students from the faculty of medicine, pharmacy, and law
- major exam at least 5 weeks ahead
- possession of smartphone and data plan
Exclusion Criteria:
- major depressive disorder (PHQ-9): Score > 4
- suicidal ideation (BDI, Item i): Rating > 1
- seasonal affective disorder (PIDS-A): Score > 11
- taking medication which increases photo-sensitivity
- taking medication to increase cognitive performance
- starting or changing pharmacotherapy for affective disorders and anxiety disorders within the last two weeks
- changing of all kinds of medication within the last two weeks
- headache (PHQ-D, Item f): Rating "severly impaired"
- increased light sensitivity: Item "Wearing sunglasses outside on sunny days" is answered with 'often' or 'very often'
- currently undergoing psychotherapeutic treatment
- the presence of an eye disease for which light therapy is contraindicated
Sites / Locations
- University of InnsbruckRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
No Intervention
bright white light intervention
dim reddish light intervention
no light intervention
exposure to 5,000 lux with polychromatic white light with 5,300 Kelvin at eye level; light exposure starts immediately after awakening; light exposure takes place on weekdays (Monday till Friday) over a period of 3 weeks
exposure to 50 lux with polychromatic reddish light with 2,200 Kelvin at eye level; light exposure starts immediately after awakening; light exposure takes place on weekdays (Monday till Friday) over a period of 3 weeks
no light intervention takes place in the morning; the study participants follow their natural rhythm of life