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A Pilot Test of Mood and Circadian Rhythm Mechanisms Driving Binge Eating
NCT03680989 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Mood and circadian rhythm disruptions are associated with binge eating (BE). BE is a discrete, episodic behavior characterized by 1) eating an objectively large amount of food and 2) experiencing a subjective sense of loss of control. BE episodes are often preceded by negative mood states, and a subtype of individuals with BE has high levels of negative moods. This group has more comorbid psychopathology and a poorer response to treatment. Thus, understanding the role of negative mood is a critical area for research on BE. Individuals with BE demonstrate disruptions in several circadian rhythms, including diurnal meal timing, hormone patterns (e.g., daily cortisol rhythms), and mood variations. The most potent synchronizer of circadian rhythms is light. Thus, exposure to light may explain other phenomena that fluctuate similarly, such as mood and the occurrence of BE. Mood is subject to the influence of light, and BE is also influenced by exposure to bright light. It is unknown whether regulating circadian rhythms via regular exposure to light improves BE through its effects on mood or via changes in other biological or behavioral rhythms. This knowledge can inform the development of treatments targeting biobehavioral mechanisms that maintain BE and indicate for whom this may be most effective. This project aims to test the roles of negative mood and circadian rhythms in the relationship between light exposure and BE and identify subtypes of individuals in whom this effect is strong. The investigators hypothesize that individuals exposed to less natural bright light will experience more frequent BE, more negative mood, and a blunted morning cortisol response. The investigators further hypothesize that manipulating exposure to artificial bright light will reduce the frequency of BE and negative mood and increase the morning cortisol response. Finally, the investigators hypothesize that the effects of this artificial bright light exposure on BE frequency will be media
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE Bright Light Exposure
- DEVICE Natural Light Exposure
Study Locations (1)
Wyoming
- University of Wyoming — Laramie
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 35 participants |
| Start Date | 2019-02-15 |
| Est. Completion | 2020-03-15 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03680989
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03680989 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 35 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Wyoming, which has 65 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 3 conditions, with Binge Eating appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Bright Light Exposure is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03680989 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Wyoming. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03680989 about?
NCT03680989 is a clinical study titled "A Pilot Test of Mood and Circadian Rhythm Mechanisms Driving Binge Eating". Mood and circadian rhythm disruptions are associated with binge eating (BE). BE is a discrete, episodic behavior characterized by 1) eating an objectively large amount of food and 2) experiencing a subjective sense of loss of control. BE episodes are often preceded by negative mood states, and a sub...
What is the current status of trial NCT03680989?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 35 participants. The study started on 2019-02-15. Estimated completion is 2020-03-15.
What conditions does trial NCT03680989 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Binge Eating, Circadian Dysregulation, Eating Disorder. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03680989?
The interventions under investigation include: Bright Light Exposure (DEVICE), Natural Light Exposure (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03680989?
This trial is sponsored by University of Wyoming, which has 65 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03680989 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Wyoming. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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