Operating room nurses’ experiences of limited access to daylight in the workplace – a qualitative interview study
2021
BMC Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 20
Pages 227
Author(s): Golvani, J., Roos, L., Henricson, M.
Artificial light can result in headaches, fatigue, and decreased eyesight. Lack of natural daylight can cause vitamin D deficiency, sleep difficulty, and mood and memory changes, including depression. Surgical nurses spend long hours in windowless environments, under artificial lights, with few opportunities to go outside during work.
Added November 2021
Comparing light and noise levels before and after a NICU change of design
2021
Journal of Perinatology
Journal Article
Volume 41
Pages 2235-2243
Author(s): Aita, M., Robins, S., Charbonneau, L., Doray-Demers, P., Feeley, N.
Previous studies have found that small changes in lighting and sound can create adverse health effects in preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Many NICUs are shifting from open ward (OW) designs to single-family rooms (SFRs) and multi-bed pods, allowing for better control over lighting and sound levels while promoting familial involvement.
Added March 2021
An experiment of double dynamic lighting in an office responding to sky and daylight: Perceived effects on comfort, atmosphere and work engagement
2022
Indoor and Built Environment
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 31
Pages 355-374
Author(s): Hansen, E. K., Bjørner, T., Xylakis, E., Pajuste, M.
Previous research has found that indoor lighting can directly impact staff satisfaction and engagement within the workplace. New technologies allow for “double dynamic” lighting installations that can integrate with natural daylight; however, most studies have examined the effects of other dynamic installations through the use of preset lighting settings.
Added March 2021
The energy saving potential of wide windows in hospital patient rooms, optimizing the type of glazing and lighting control strategy under different climatic conditions
2020
Energies
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 13
Pages 2116
Author(s): Cesari, S., Valdiserri, P., Coccagna, M., Mazzacane, S.
The heating and cooling of patient rooms creates extremely high energy demands, especially since these rooms typically are located around building perimeters to provide natural daylight, and therefore are most affected by the condition of the building’s envelope.
Added October 2020
Application of different circadian lighting metrics in a health residence
2020
Journal of Daylighting
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 7
Pages 13-24
Author(s): Busatto, N., Mora, T. D., Peron, F., Romagnoni, P.
Previous studies have established that indoor illuminance must reach certain levels for proper visual performance, and should also work to enhance spatial perception, security, and well-being. Insufficient indoor lighting can adversely influence patient health outcomes, particularly patient circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythms of elderly patient populations may be especially sensitive to illuminance levels.
Added March 2020
An assessment of a hybrid lighting system that employs ultraviolet-A for mitigating healthcare-associated infections in a newborn intensive care unit
2020
Lighting Research & Technology
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 52
Pages 704-721
Author(s): Brons, J. A., Bierman, A., White, R., Benner, K., Deng, L., Rea, M. S.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect approximately one in 25 patients in the US. One study found that an average of fewer than 50% of patient room surfaces are properly cleaned, making infection spread more easily. This study explores the use of a no-touch decontamination method that employs hybrid lighting technology with both white light and UV-A optical radiation.
Added February 2020
Daylight and health: A review of the evidence and consequences for the built environment
2015
Lighting Research & Technology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 47
Pages 6-27
Author(s): Aries, M. B. C, Aarts, M. P. J., van Hoof, J.
This paper is an overview of studies on the effects of daylight exposure on human health.
Added December 2019
Effects of adjustable dynamic bedroom lighting in a maternity ward
2019
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Author(s): Canazei, M., Pohl, W., Weninger, J., Bliem, H., Weiss, E. M., Koch, C., Berger, A., Firulovic, B., Marth, C.
This study considered the impact of dynamic vs. static lighting color and intensity on mothers who had scheduled C-section deliveries of healthy babies in a single Austrian maternity clinic.
Added July 2019
Lighting assessment of ergonomic workstation for radio diagnostic reporting
2017
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 57
Pages 42-54
Author(s): Leccese, F., Salvadori, G., Montagnani, C., Ciconi, A., Rocca, M.
Diagnostic imaging involves traditional radiology, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each of these procedures involves assessment, planning, execution, reporting, and verifying results. Present-day technology involves the processing of images by computer software. Reporting involves viewing these images on diagnostic monitors. While the authors contend that there...
Added December 2017
Environment in pediatric wards: Light, sound, and temperature
2015
Sleep Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 16
Pages 1041-1048
Author(s): Oliveira, L., Gomes, C., Bacelar Nicolau, L., Ferreira, L., Ferreira, R.
Sleep is crucial to the well-being of humans, especially so for the recovery of those undergoing treatment or recuperating in hospitals. The authors cite studies that allude to the relevance quality of sleep has on health, neurodevelopment, generally, and to immune functioning and healing in patients.
Added November 2017
Bright Light Delights: Effects of Daily Light Exposure on Emotions, Restactivity Cycles, Sleep and Melatonin Secretion in Severely Demented Patients
2017
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 14
Pages 1063-1075
Author(s): Münch, M., Schmieder, M., Bieler, K., Goldbach, R., Fuhrmann, T., Zumstein, N., Vonmoos, P., Scartezzini, J.-L., Wirz-Justice, A., Cajochen, C.
Exposure to sufficient light on a daily basis is important for individuals to maintain their health. Studies have shown that light has an effect on heart rate, body temperature, human behavior, mood, body hormones, genes, and cognitive ability.
Added November 2017
Blue-Enriched Lighting for Older People Living in Care Homes: Effect on Activity, Actigraphic Sleep, Mood and Alertness
2017
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 14
Pages 1053-1062
Author(s): Hopkins, S., Morgan, P. L., Schlangen, L. J. M., Williams, P., Skene, D. J., Middleton, B.
Residents of long-term care homes suffer from natural light deprivation and other age-related physical conditions. This includes changes in sleep patterns and a decrease in sleep efficiency. Lack of light exposure negatively affects circadian systems and consequently affects sleep.
Added November 2017
Implementation of Dynamic Lighting in a Nursing Home: Impact on Agitation but not on Rest-Activity Patterns
2017
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 14
Pages 1076-1083
Author(s): Wahnschaffe, A., Nowozin, C., Haedel, S., Rath, A., Appelhof, S., Münch, M., Kunz, D.
A common issue within different subtypes of dementia is nighttime agitation, which often manifests as confusion, aggressive behavior, aimless movement, and general disruption of sleep cycles. Nighttime agitation is the most common cause for nursing home admission, and many medical treatments for the condition only target specific symptoms, sometimes resulting in unwanted side effects for patients.
Added November 2017
Unweaving the human response in daylighting design
2015
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Andersen, Marilyne
The term “daylighting” can be broadly defined as the amount of natural light that is present within a given space due to its structural makeup. Structural designs that allow for certain levels of daylighting may have a positive impact on energy use, since lighting is one of the most energy-demanding building functions.
Added June 2017
Seasonal Differences in Light Exposure and the Associations With Health and Well-Being in Older Adults Living: An Exploratory Study
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 64-79
Author(s): Nioi, A., Roe, J., Gow, A., McNair, D., Aspinall, P.
Exposure to appropriate levels of bright light directly affects human circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm plays a key role in overall human well-being. Previous research suggests that elderly patients within residential care homes are often exposed to low levels of light, which can result in circadian misalignment and irregularities in sleep/wake cycles.
Added May 2017
Patient room lighting influences on sleep, appraisal and mood in hospitalized people
2017
Journal of Sleep Research
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 26
Pages 236-246
Author(s): Giménez, M. C., Geerdinck, L. M., Versteylen, M., Leffers, P., Meekes, G. J. B. M., Herremans, H., de Ruyter, B., Bikker, J. W., Kuijpers, P. M. J. C., Schlangen, L. J. M.
Hospitalized patients often struggle with sleeping soundly due to various factors that arise within the hospital environment, such as noise, pain, general discomfort, and irregular and inappropriate light exposure. Because sleep is such an integral part of the healing process, healthcare designers should consider different ways to improve hospital sleep conditions.
Added April 2017
Methodological challenges in studies of bright light therapy to treat sleep disorders in nursing home residents with dementia
2014
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 68
Pages 777-784
Author(s): van der Ploeg, E. S., O'Connor, D. W.
Research studies conducted in the past 20 years have failed to validate the effectiveness of bright white light treatment of sleep disorders in nursing home or long-stay hospital residents with dementia. This trend is documented in a Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis of 10 selected studies where problems in the research methodologies were identified. The prevalence of sleep disorders among residents diagnosed with dementia varies from 40% to 70%.
Added November 2016
Light at Night and Measures of Alertness and Performance: Implications for Shift Workers
2016
Biological Research For Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 18
Pages 90-100
Author(s): Figueiro, M. G., Sahin, L., Wood, B., Plitnick, B.
Rotating-shift workers, particularly those working at night, are likely to experience sleepiness, decreased productivity, and impaired safety while on the job. Light at night has been shown to have acute alerting effects, reduce sleepiness, and improve performance. However, light at night can also suppress melatonin and induce circadian disruption, both of which have been linked to increased health risks. Previous studies have shown that long-wavelength (red) light exposure increases objective and subjective measures of alertness at night, without suppressing nocturnal melatonin.
Added November 2016
Analysis of circadian stimulus allowed by daylighting in hospital rooms
2017
Lighting Research and Technology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 49
Pages 49-61
Author(s): Acosta, I, Leslie, R. P., Figueiro, M. G.
Light is the major synchronizer of circadian rhythms to the 24-hour solar day. Compared to the visual system, the circadian system requires more light to be activated and is more sensitive to short-wavelength light. For those confined indoors, such as patients or residents in care facilities, the lack of access to daylight, or electric lighting providing a comparable amount, spectrum, distribution, duration, and timing, may compromise their human health and well-being.
Added November 2016
Systematic light exposure in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue: a preliminary study: Systematic light exposure in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue
2014
Psycho-Oncology
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 23
Pages 1431-1434
Author(s): Redd, W. H., Valdimarsdottir, H., Wu, L. M., Winkel, G., Byrne, E. E., Beltre, M. A., Liebman, E. S., Erazo, T., Hayes, J. A., Isola, L., Scigliano, E., Meschian, Y., Lutgendorf, S., Ancoli-Israel, S.
Patients with cancer frequently report the side effect of fatigue, which is described as distressing, persistent, and related to physical, emotional, and cognitive tiredness or exhaustion. Patients report feeling tired after resting during their treatments and long after the treatment has ended.
Added November 2016
