Comparing task performance, visual comfort and alertness under different lighting sources: an experimental study

Authors

  • Reza Kazemi Research Center for Health Science, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  • Alireza Choobineh Research Center for Health Science, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  • Shirin Taheri Student Research Committee, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  • Pegah Rastipishe Student Research Committee, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1676

Keywords:

lighting, performance, alertness, comfort

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different light sources - namely light-emitting diode (LED), compact fluorescent (FLcomp) and fluorescent with warm color temperature (FLwarm) and cool color temperature (FLcool) - on the performances, alertness, visual comfort level and preferences in a pilot study. A laboratory controlled experiment was conducted by focusing on 20 postgraduate students who volunteered to participate in a series of tests under four different light sources. “GO NO GO” task and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) were employed to assess objective and subjective alertness, while modified OLS questionnaire was used to gauge comfort level and preferences. In addition, editing and typing tasks were carried out as a performance evaluation. Significant increase was observed in subjective and objective alertness level under FLcool condition and LED in comparison to FLwarm and FLcomp (p < 0.05). In terms of typing performances, respondents performed significantly better with regard to typing speed under FLcool than FLwarm and FLcomp. The lowest number of typing errors was made under FLcool, followed by LED, FLcomp and FLwarm. LED was the most preferred (p=0.001) and most comfortable (p=0.011) lighting condition. The study concludes that the FLcool and LED were more beneficial for alertness level and performance for both computer-based and paper-based activities.

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Published

2018-10-29

How to Cite

Kazemi, R., Choobineh, A., Taheri, S., & Rastipishe, P. (2018). Comparing task performance, visual comfort and alertness under different lighting sources: an experimental study. EXCLI Journal, 17, 1018–1029. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1676

Issue

Vol. 17 (2018)

Section

Original articles

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