title: Acute effects of different light spectra on simulated night-shift work without circadian alignment.
abstract: Short-wavelength and short-wavelength-enhanced light have a strong impact on night-time working performance, subjective feelings of alertness and circadian physiology. In the present study, we investigated acute effects of white light sources with varied reduced portions of short wavelengths on cognitive and visual performance, mood and cardiac output.Thirty-one healthy subjects were investigated in a balanced cross-over design under three light spectra in a simulated night-shift paradigm without circadian adaptation.Exposure to the light spectrum with the largest attenuation of short wavelengths reduced heart rate and increased vagal cardiac parameters during the night compared to the other two light spectra without deleterious effects on sustained attention, working memory and subjective alertness. In addition, colour discrimination capability was significantly decreased under this light source.To our knowledge, the present study for the first time demonstrates that polychromatic white light with reduced short wavelengths, fulfilling current lighting standards for indoor illumination, may have a positive impact on cardiac physiology of night-shift workers without detrimental consequences for cognitive performance and alertness.
authors: a Research Department , Bartenbach GmbH , Aldrans , Austria.|b Department of Psychology , University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Canazei
authors: a Research Department , Bartenbach GmbH , Aldrans , Austria.
authors: Wilfried
authors: W
authors: Pohl
authors: b Department of Psychology , University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria.
authors: Harald R
authors: HR
authors: Bliem
authors: c Department of Psychology , University of Graz , Graz , Austria.
authors: Elisabeth M
authors: EM
authors: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Short wavelength; alertness; heart rate; heart rate variability; light spectrum; mood; shift work; simulated night-shift; sustained attention; visual performance; working memory