About Us
Sleep and Light Intervention for Mood Dysfunction
Women are more likely than men to experience mood problems over their lifetime. Changes in reproductive hormones can disrupt the body’s natural 24-hour (circadian) rhythms, which help control mood. The UCSD Department of Psychiatry, under lead investigator Barbara L. Parry, MD is conducting several research studies to evaluate treatment options for women experiencing mood disturbances across the life course. We have developed and are testing a Sleep and Light Intervention (SALI) that:
- Works quickly
- Does not use medication
- Has few side effects
- Can be done at home
SALI uses strategic adjustments to sleep timing and light exposure to treat depression throughout the reproductive cycle including pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. SALI includes two components:
- Wake Therapy: reduces depressive symptoms
- Light Therapy: prevents relapse after wake therapy
Consistent with more than 30 studies from other researchers involving over 1,000 participants, Dr. Parry's research has demonstrated the ability to improve mood using SALI.
To learn more about our current research, see our studies.