Human-Computer Interaction and Human-Building Interaction
A long-term evidence-based study of circadian rhythm-oriented control strategies for office luminous environments
Abstract
A well-designed indoor luminous environment is essential for circadian entrainment, and sleep regulation. However, most circadian lighting studies remain confined to controlled laboratory settings, leaving their efficacy in real-world office environments poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effects of circadian-based lighting strategies under real-world office conditions. A four-week field experiment involving 15 subjects was conducted in an office using an intelligent lighting control system based on the Internet of Things (IoT), implementing four lighting patterns: Static Lighting Pattern (SLP), Backward Lighting Pattern (BLP), Forward Lighting Pattern (FLP), and Dynamic Lighting Pattern (DLP). Physiological parameters (melatonin levels and core body temperature) along with related questionnaires were used as indicators to assess effectiveness. The results showed that both the FLP and DLP improved sleep quality, with FLP showing superior physiological outcomes (∼1.5-fold increase in average melatonin secretion compared to SLP, Δ ≈ 21.7 pg/ml·h ± 15.3). Conversely, the BLP decreased melatonin secretion (∼3.7-fold decrease, Δ ≈ 30.5 pg/ml·h ± 22.1) and delayed circadian phase, impairing sleep quality. These findings not only confirm laboratory-based insights in real office conditions but also provide scientific evidence for optimizing workplace lighting to enhance employee well-being and productivity.
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Cite this paper
@article{a9834fcf,
title = {A long-term evidence-based study of circadian rhythm-oriented control strategies for office luminous environments},
journal = {Building and Environment},
volume = {285},
pages = {113612},
year = {2025},
issn = {0360-1323},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113612},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132325010844},
author = {Yukun Dong and Jiaxin Shi and Tao Luo and Qi Dai and Peng Xue},
keywords = {Circadian rhythm, Circadian lighting, Melatonin, Long-term real-world conditions, Non-visual effects},
abstract = {A well-designed indoor luminous environment is essential for circadian entrainment, and sleep regulation. However, most circadian lighting studies remain confined to controlled laboratory settings, leaving their efficacy in real-world office environments poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effects of circadian-based lighting strategies under real-world office conditions. A four-week field experiment involving 15 subjects was conducted in an office using an intelligent lighting control system based on the Internet of Things (IoT), implementing four lighting patterns: Static Lighting Pattern (SLP), Backward Lighting Pattern (BLP), Forward Lighting Pattern (FLP), and Dynamic Lighting Pattern (DLP). Physiological parameters (melatonin levels and core body temperature) along with related questionnaires were used as indicators to assess effectiveness. The results showed that both the FLP and DLP improved sleep quality, with FLP showing superior physiological outcomes (∼1.5-fold increase in average melatonin secretion compared to SLP, Δ ≈ 21.7 pg/ml·h ± 15.3). Conversely, the BLP decreased melatonin secretion (∼3.7-fold decrease, Δ ≈ 30.5 pg/ml·h ± 22.1) and delayed circadian phase, impairing sleep quality. These findings not only confirm laboratory-based insights in real office conditions but also provide scientific evidence for optimizing workplace lighting to enhance employee well-being and productivity.}
}