The influence of light on thermal responses
- PMID: 26172218
- DOI: 10.1111/apha.12552
The influence of light on thermal responses
Abstract
Light is essential for vision and plays an important role in non-visual responses, thus affecting alertness, mood and circadian rhythms. Furthermore, light influences physiological processes, such as thermoregulation, and therefore may be expected to play a role in thermal comfort (TC) as well. A systematic literature search was performed for human studies exploring the relation between ocular light exposure, thermophysiology and TC. Experimental results show that light in the evening can reduce melatonin secretion, delay the natural decline in core body temperature (CBT) and slow down the increase in distal skin temperature. In the morning though, bright light can result in a faster decline in melatonin levels, thus enabling a faster increase in CBT. Moreover, the colour of light can affect temperature perception of the environment. Light with colour tones towards the red end of the visual spectrum leads to a warmer perception compared to more bluish light tones. It should be noted, however, that many results of light on thermal responses are inconclusive, and a theoretical framework is largely lacking. In conclusion, light is capable of evoking thermophysiological responses and visual input can alter perception of the thermal environment. Therefore, lighting conditions should be taken into consideration during thermophysiological research and in the design of indoor climates.
Keywords: circadian rhythm; indoor environment; light; physiology; thermal comfort; thermoregulation.
© 2015 Scandinavian Physiological Society. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Similar articles
-
Combined influences of gradual changes in room temperature and light around dusk and dawn on circadian rhythms of core temperature, urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate and waking sensation just after rising.Coll Antropol. 2007 Jun;31(2):587-93. Coll Antropol. 2007. PMID: 17847944
-
The influence of bright and dim light on substrate metabolism, energy expenditure and thermoregulation in insulin-resistant individuals depends on time of day.Diabetologia. 2022 Apr;65(4):721-732. doi: 10.1007/s00125-021-05643-9. Epub 2022 Feb 2. Diabetologia. 2022. PMID: 35106618 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Thermoregulatory effect in humans of suppressed endogenous melatonin by pre-sleep bright-light exposure in a cold environment.Chronobiol Int. 2010 Jun;27(4):782-806. doi: 10.3109/07420521003794069. Chronobiol Int. 2010. PMID: 20560711
-
Non-visual effects of indoor light environment on humans: A review✰.Physiol Behav. 2021 Jan 1;228:113195. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113195. Epub 2020 Oct 3. Physiol Behav. 2021. PMID: 33022281 Review.
-
[Thermal and Lighting Housing Environments and Circadian Blood Pressure Variability: Findings from the HEIJO-KYO Cohort].Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2018;73(2):138-142. doi: 10.1265/jjh.73.138. Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2018. PMID: 29848864 Review. Japanese.
Cited by
-
Functional links between thermoregulation and sleep in children with neurodevelopmental and chronic health conditions.Front Psychiatry. 2022 Nov 14;13:866951. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.866951. eCollection 2022. Front Psychiatry. 2022. PMID: 36451768 Free PMC article.
-
Bright Light Decreases Peripheral Skin Temperature in Healthy Men: A Forced Desynchrony Study Under Dim and Bright Light (II).J Biol Rhythms. 2022 Aug;37(4):417-428. doi: 10.1177/07487304221096948. Epub 2022 Jun 20. J Biol Rhythms. 2022. PMID: 35723003 Free PMC article.
-
Alerting effects of light in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neural Regen Res. 2022 Sep;17(9):1929-1936. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.335141. Neural Regen Res. 2022. PMID: 35142669 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Effects of Daytime Electric Light Exposure on Human Alertness and Higher Cognitive Functions: A Systematic Review.Front Psychol. 2022 Jan 5;12:765750. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.765750. eCollection 2021. Front Psychol. 2022. PMID: 35069337 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Human thermal perception and time of day: A review.Temperature (Austin). 2021 Oct 10;8(4):320-341. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2021.1976004. eCollection 2021. Temperature (Austin). 2021. PMID: 34901316 Free PMC article. Review.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources