NCT06226025 · Leslie Swanson
Correcting Circadian Rhythms to Breakthrough in Bipolar Disorder
What this study is about
The purpose of this study is to test whether a dietary supplement (low-dose melatonin) commonly used to treat night owls, administered in conjunction with a behavioral sleep intervention, will help to shift the brain clock earlier and improve mood and sleep in bipolar disorder.
View original scientific description
The purpose of this study is to test whether a dietary supplement (low-dose melatonin) commonly used to treat night owls, administered in conjunction with a behavioral sleep intervention, will help to shift the brain clock earlier and improve mood and sleep in bipolar disorder. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive melatonin plus a behavioral sleep intervention or placebo plus a behavioral sleep placebo. The hypotheses for this study include: * Melatonin plus behavioral sleep intervention (compared to placebo plus behavioral sleep placebo) will produce a greater advance of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), between pre- and post-treatment. * Melatonin (compared to placebo) will produce a greater reduction in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score between pre- and post-treatment.
Interventions
DRUG
Melatonin
Participants randomized to this intervention will take 1 oral pill (0.5 milligrams (mg)) daily. They will attend 4 weekly behavioral sleep intervention sessions with a therapist. In addition, participants will complete questionnaires (MyDataHelp app), monitor sleep, collect saliva samples, and wear the Fitbit Device.
OTHER
Placebo
Participants randomized to this intervention will take 1 oral placebo pill daily. They will attend 4 weekly behavioral sleep control sessions with a therapist. In addition, participants will complete questionnaires (MyDataHelp app), monitor sleep, collect saliva samples, and wear the Fitbit Device.
BEHAVIORAL
Behavioral sleep intervention
An active intervention that is typically paired with melatonin to maximize treatment effects.
BEHAVIORAL
Behavioral sleep control
A behavioral placebo (which does not improve sleep in delayed sleep-wake phase disorder) to control for social/interpersonal effects of behavioral sleep intervention sessions.
Primary outcome measures
Change in time of Dim Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO) baseline (pre-treatment) to 4 weeks (post-treatment)
Time frame: 4 weeks (after treatment period)
Onset of melatonin in dim light conditions as measured in saliva (also called DLMO). Time of DLMO is measured in clock time and change in time of DLMO is measured in hours. The change score is calculated as time at 4 weeks minus baseline time. Thus, positive scores indicate a shift towards a later onset of melatonin and negative scores indicate a shift towards an earlier onset of melatonin.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Capable of giving informed consent
- Meet The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for bipolar disorder (BD) I or II
- Evening chronotype per the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) defined by a score of \<42
- At least mild depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 defined by a score ≥5
- Psychotropic medications at stable dose for past month
- Able to download the MyDataHelps mobile application (app), and open app on participants' own phone
- Willing to abstain from alcohol for the duration of the intervention phase
- Female participants of childbearing potential (i.e., patients are not permanently sterilized (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and bilateral oophorectomy) or postmenopausal (12 months with no menses without an alternative medical cause) by report) must agree to use a reliable method of contraception from the screening visit until 4 weeks after the study has completed.
Exclusion criteria
- Current diagnosis of, or high risk for, a sleep disorder other than DSPD per interview and medical record review (when available) including:
- Insomnia per DSM-5
- Sleep-disordered breathing per Snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, blood pressure, body mass index, age, neck circumference, and gender (STOP-BANG)
- Restless leg syndrome per sleep interview
- Suspicion of vasomotor symptoms impacting sleep per interview for women that may be perimenopausal or postmenopausal.
- Risk of current mania (per Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score \> 19).
- Suicidal or at high risk for suicide per Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) guidelines (i.e., presence of any suicidal behavior-suicide attempt, interrupted attempt, abort attempt, or preparatory behavior-in the past 3 months; and/or current active suicidal ideation with any intent), or as determined by the principal investigators.
- Presence of cardiac implantable electronic device, such as defibrillator or pacemaker.
- Presence of chronic psychiatric conditions which may directly influence sleep per interview and medical record review (when available), including:
- Current illicit drug use per the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) defined by a score of ≥ 25
- Current alcohol or drug abuse per the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) defined by a score of ≥ 16 and DUDIT
- Currently experiencing psychosis
- Presence of unstable chronic medical condition which may directly influence sleep:
- Chronic pain
- Thyroid conditions
- Current or history of medical conditions which may be affected by melatonin per self-report and medical record review (when available), such as:
- Hypertension or hypotension
- Diabetes Type 1 or Type 2
- Clotting/bleeding disorders
- Epilepsy/seizures
- Autoimmune disorders
- Conditions requiring immunosuppressive management such as transplant
- Per self-report or medical record review (when available), current use of medications which may have interactions with melatonin (see protocol for more details).
- Current use of medications that may interfere with the measurement of melatonin (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs if used daily, and beta-blockers), per self-report and medical record review (when available).
- Self-report use of melatonin in the past month.
- Hypersensitivity to melatonin or any other component of the melatonin or placebo product.
- Pregnancy (as determined by dipstick urinary pregnancy test at screening for women of child-bearing potential) or self-report of breastfeeding and/or plan to become pregnant in the next 3 months.
- Self-report of routine night shift work.
- Self-report of past month travel or planned travel during the study across more than one time zone.
Where
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Collaborators
University of Michigan, Natrol, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 11, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations