Simulated Dawn Med Students

Summary

Medical students score higher than the general population on measures of depression, anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep and sleepiness. Data suggest that disparages in circadian phase might contribute to these problems. From an internal validity standpoint, first year medical students are an ideal group to study. The majority of the students will be matched on variables such as education, age, and intelligence. However, more importantly, they have a nearly identical life style when it comes to factors such as schedule, living conditions, level of stress, and timing of stressors. The specific aim and hypothesis is:Medical students randomized to sleep hygiene counseling plus simulated dawn will report less depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep disruption (as measured by standardized questionnaires) than students randomized to just sleep hygiene counseling.

Conditions

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Sleepiness
• Sleep Disruption

Interventions

DEVICE

Simulated Dawn Light Box

per3 model of Naturebright It was set at the participants habitual wake time, and automatically began ramping between 30 and 90 minutes prior to that time (based upon participant preference). The ramp increased in a curvilinear fashion, mimicking sunrise during the summer at 45 degrees North latitude and reached a maximum light intensity of 300lux. They were allowed to switch the lamp off during the ramp period, and sleep in on off days, but were asked to allow the light to begin its ramp.

BEHAVIORAL

Sleep Hygiene instructions

Sleep Hygiene instructions read aloud

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University at Buffalo

  collaborator OTHER

• Medical University of South Carolina

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gregory Sahlem, MD · Medical University of South Carolina

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-07-31

Primary Completion

2010-01-31

Completion

2010-01-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations