We are looking for participants to measure effects of light exposure on mood in everyday life.

Description

Ethics ref: 2023-18265-31575

Mental health conditions are on the rise and there is an urgent need to find alternative methods of treatment for conditions such as depression. Devices that measure light exposure in addition to regular mood questionnaires may help us to understand the relationship of mood and light in an everyday setting.

This study may help us to improve the current treatments for depression and find therapeutic alternatives to medication. We will be using a light monitoring device that measures light and activity levels, in addition to, a Fitbit to measure physiological variables. We have also developed questionnaires to complete for measuring mood rhythmically throughout the day.

In the study, you will:

• Wear light monitoring device for 1 week as a wristband to measure your light exposure
• Wear Fitbit for 1 week as a wristband to measure your activity and heart rate
• Complete daily sleep questionnaire
• Complete mood questionnaires minimum 5 times a day (during different times of the day/light exposure)
• Complete cognitive-emotion tasks once a day after 8pm
• In total, this will consist of 4 hours of research tasks during the 1-week study period.

You can take part in this research if you: 

• Are 18 years or older
• Are a native English speaker
• Do not work night shifts
• Have not travelled across time zones for two weeks prior to the study week
• Have a smartphone with non-cracked screen
• Are a healthy volunteer OR have a diagnosis of depression with medication