An interventional study of Optimized Ambient White Light and Conventional White Light in Migraine, Photophobia and Cognitive Function Assessment, sponsored by Arizona State University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-27.
Sponsored by Arizona State University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this research is to study how effective an optimized white light is for improving visual comfort and reducing migraine symptoms. To do so, we will compare the effects of an optimized white light with those of a standard, commercially available white light.
The main study objectives are to:
This study will inform the design of more comfortable lighting environments for individuals with migraine. The implementation of optimized white light in healthcare settings, offices, schools, and homes may serve as a practical strategy to improve comfort and reduce symptoms for those with migraine.
The goal of this research is to study the effects of a spectrally optimized white light on visual comfort and severity of migraine symptoms. To do so, the effects of an optimized white light will be compared to those from a standard, commercially available white light.
The main study objectives are to:
This is a randomized crossover study in which 20 participants with migraine will be studied between migraine attacks and again during untreated migraine attacks. Twenty non-migraine healthy controls will also be studied.
Two ambient white-light conditions will be evaluated: a green-enriched, spectrally optimized white light (λpeak = 525 nm) and a conventional commercially available white light (λpeak = 450 nm). Participants will be exposed to each lighting condition for 10 minutes. For all participants: 1) visual discomfort levels will be assessed each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of exposure; 2) at minute 8 of exposure, participants will complete the Digit Symbol Substitution Test; 3) at the conclusion of the 10-minute exposure, pupil diameter will be measured. For participants with migraine studied during an untreated migraine attack, headache intensity will be measured prior to light exposure and at minute 8 of light exposure.
The results from this study will provide insights into the potential benefits of spectrally optimized white light on visual comfort, cognitive performance, and headache intensity.
1,657 studies on the registry are indexed under Migraine Disorders; 339 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 80 across 1,269 interventional studies indexed under Migraine Disorders.
Browse Migraine Disorders studies →Arizona State University is the lead sponsor of 238 studies on the registry; 42 are open to participants now.
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Healthy Volunteers
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Volunteer with Migraine
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Spectrally Optimized White Light
Other: Optimized Ambient White Light
Other: Conventional White Light
Green-enriched, spectrally optimized white light (λpeak = 525 nm)
conventional white light (λpeak = 450 nm)
Visual Discomfort
Participants reported their visual discomfort using an 11-point numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (extreme discomfort). The primary visual discomfort outcome was the mean of the seven ratings collected at minutes 2-8.
Time frame: Each minute from minutes 2 through 8 of each light exposure
Digit Symbol Substitution Test
Digit Symbol Substitution Test performance was analyzed as the raw number of correctly completed items.
Time frame: Minute 8 after onset of light exposure
Headache Intensity
Participants reported headache intensity using an 11-point numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain). The primary headache intensity outcome was the change in headache intensity, calculated as headache intensity after light exposure minus headache intensity prior to light exposure.
Time frame: Minute 8 after onset of light exposure
Pupil Size
The primary pupillary outcome was mean bilateral pupil diameter, calculated as the mean of the right eye and left eye measurements.
Time frame: At end of 10-minute light exposure
Plan to share: Undecided — The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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