Effects of dynamic lighting on office workers: First results of a field study with monthly alternating settings

Abstract

Dynamic lighting is designed to have positive effects on well-being and performance. In a field experiment we tested whether these effects are detectable and stable over time when employed in actual work settings. The study consists of two tranches, one following a monthly alternating experimental design, the other a yearly alternating one. This paper reports on the first tranche. In a dual balanced design, office workers experienced dynamic or static lighting according to an a-b-a /b-a-b scheme over three consecutive periods (N = 142, 90, 83). Questionnaire data suggest no significant differences for need for recovery, vitality, alertness, headache and eyestrain, mental health, sleep quality, or subjective performance, although employees were more satisfied with the dynamic lighting. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.