Alerting and Circadian Effects of Short-Wavelength vs. Long-Wavelength Narrow-Bandwidth Light during a Simulated Night Shift

Erlend Sunde, Torhild Pedersen, Jelena Mrdalj, Eirunn Thun, Janne Grønli, Anette Harris, Bjørn Bjorvatn, Siri Waage, Debra J Skene, Ståle Pallesen, Erlend Sunde, Torhild Pedersen, Jelena Mrdalj, Eirunn Thun, Janne Grønli, Anette Harris, Bjørn Bjorvatn, Siri Waage, Debra J Skene, Ståle Pallesen

Abstract

Light can be used to facilitate alertness, task performance and circadian adaptation during night work. Novel strategies for illumination of workplaces, using ceiling mounted LED-luminaires, allow the use of a range of different light conditions, altering intensity and spectral composition. This study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03203538) investigated the effects of short-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (λmax = 455 nm) compared to long-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (λmax = 625 nm), with similar photon density (~2.8 × 1014 photons/cm2/s) across light conditions, during a simulated night shift (23:00-06:45 h) when conducting cognitive performance tasks. Light conditions were administered by ceiling mounted LED-luminaires. Using a within-subjects repeated measurements study design, a total of 34 healthy young adults (27 females and 7 males; mean age = 21.6 years, SD = 2.0 years) participated. The results revealed significantly reduced sleepiness and improved task performance during the night shift with short-wavelength light compared to long-wavelength light. There was also a larger shift of the melatonin rhythm (phase delay) after working a night shift in short-wavelength light compared to long-wavelength light. Participants' visual comfort was rated as better in the short-wavelength light than the long-wavelength light. Ceiling mounted LED-luminaires may be feasible to use in real workplaces, as these have the potential to provide light conditions that are favorable for alertness and performance among night workers.

Keywords: alertness; circadian rhythm; night work; performance; short-wavelength light; sleepiness.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Double-raster plot of the simulated night shift protocol. The protocol included two simulated night shifts (from 23:00 to 06:45 h) performed in a laboratory with long-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (A) and short-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (B). The night shifts were separated by 4 weeks and the order of conditions was counterbalanced. White bars indicate enrollment and practice session (before the first night shift only) in the laboratory. Black bars indicate assumed sleep periods at home. Colored bars indicate night shifts in the laboratory. Black dots indicate primary test bouts including the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), a Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), and a Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). White diamonds indicate salivary dim-light melatonin sampling at home.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Spectral distribution of the short-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (solid line) and the long-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (dotted line). Means and SD (error bars) for measurements (vertical plane) at eye level.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mood, sleepiness and performance during a simulated night shift in long-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (red bars) and short-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (blue bars). The bars represent estimated marginal means with error bars indicating standard error. (A) Positive mood assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). (B) Negative mood assessed with PANAS. (C) Subjective sleepiness assessed with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). (D) Reciprocal response times (mean 1/RT) on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). (E) RTs excluding lapses (mean RT500) on the PVT. (F) Number of lapses (RTs ≥ 500 ms) on the PVT. (G) Number of correct responses on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Significant differences indicated for variables with a significant Light by Time interaction only. Number symbols (#) indicate significant difference compared to the first test bout (23:30 h), and asterix symbols (*) indicate significant difference between light conditions. ##; ** = p < 0.01, ###; *** = p < 0.001.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Visual comfort assessed with the headache and eye strain scale (1–4 (severe)) during a simulated night shift in long-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (triangles) and short-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light (circles). Data points are the estimated marginal means with error bars indicating standard error. Significant differences between light conditions indicated for variables with a significant Light by Time interaction only. * = p < 0.05, ** = p < 0.01, *** = p < 0.001.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Phase markers for individual participants before (Baseline) and after (Final) a simulated night shift in (A) long-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light and (B) short-wavelength narrow-bandwidth light. Open circles indicate salivary dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) for each participant. Filled diamond squares indicate estimated temperature minimum (DLMO + 7 h) for each participant. Lines are drawn between the baseline and final markers for each participant. The vertical dotted lines and colored bars indicate the start and end times of the night shift and light exposure (23:00–06:45 h).

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