Health as a driver for optimization of dynamic LED-lighting
In a pilotproject we registered daylight in a psychiatric ward through ¾ year. We found that geographical orientation was highly correlated to length of admission. The proposed randomised project will investigate the effect of LED-light with dynamic changes over day/ year in relation to depression, length of admission, and medication.
The project aims to contribute with specific knowledge about how LED light can be used therapeutically in psychiatry. The project is trying to answer the research question whether dynamic LED lighting influence people hospitalized for depression compared with conventional Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL). Specifically, we will investigate whether the depressive state of patients will improve more, when exposed to dynamic lighting, yielding a shorter length of stay, less use of medications, and at the same time saving energy. Based on the light measures from the pilot-project, the project focuses on the dark NV-faced wards where the least short-waved light are registered in the morning (see Annex). In these rooms we will install dynamic LED artificial lighting. Subsequently, the lighting is tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a test group (where the lighting is changed to dynamic LED light miming the sunlight) and a control group (where artificial lighting is not changed). Through random allocation the patients are divided into the test group or the control group. Data on medication use, mood, and length of hospitalization are assessed. The project collects data for two years until a minimum of 120 patients is included.
The dynamic LED lighting system was tested in four patient-rooms in an inpatient psychiatric unit focusing on the functioning and the tolerability of the dynamic LED lighting system (pilotproject).
Finally, dynamic LED lighting system has been installed in ten patient-rooms in a newly renovated psychiatric inpatient unit. The system is currently being tested in a double-blind clinical trial where patients are randomised to either standard or dynamic LED lighting. The outcomes are the effect on depression og use of sedating medication (efficacy trial). In both projects the dynamic LED lighting system replaced the existing lighting system.
In the energy calculation for lighting we found a substantial reduction in energy consumption needed to power the dynamic LED lighting system compared to the existing CFL flourescent lamps of 76 %. Spectral light measurements showed a markedly higher colour rendering (CRI) of the dynamic LED lighting system compared to the existing CFL flourescent lamps of 95 versus 81.
The results from the pilotproject showed a high rate of satisfaction with the dynamic and static LED lighting system of 78 % versus 72 %. The timing and regulation of the dynamic LED lighting system was very reliable. None of the patients dropped out of the pilotproject due to side effects of light. The results from the pilotproject has informed the lighting settings in the running efficiacy trial that has now included 31 patients.
The light measurements in the patient rooms showed considerable variation due to geographical
placement and time of day.
The joint results is to be used together with the results from the Elforsk funded project ”Roomlight 1:1 Ny Psykiatri Bispebjerg (350-050)” to design projects focusing on both light and indoor climate in the upcoming psychiatric hospital New Psychiatry Bispebjerg.
Key figures
Category
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | ||
| Chromaviso ApS |
