Higher light intensity induces modulations in brain activity even during regular daytime working hours

Abstract

We investigated the effect of exposure to bright white light as compared to a commonly experienced illuminance (1000 lx vs. 200 lx at eye level, 4000 K) on electroencephalography spectral power density during daytime. Spectral power density was measured during one hour of exposure in the morning and in the afternoon. Results showed a lower relative power density in the theta range under bright light. In the morning, relative alpha power was also lower under exposure to 1000 lx. The current findings extend earlier results on the effect of illuminance on alertness and arousal in the late evening and at night. Moreover, they largely corroborate results on subjective experience and sustained attention during daytime, and together suggest higher alertness under brighter light even for daytime exposure in everyday situations.