Influence of blue-enriched classroom lighting on students׳ cognitive performance

Abstract

Abstract Light is a powerful zeitgeber that synchronizes our endogenous circadian pacemaker with the environment and has been previously described as an agent in improving cognitive performance. With that in mind, this study was designed to explore the influence of exposure to blue-enriched white light in the morning on the performance of adolescent students. 58 High school students were recruited from four classes in two schools. In each school, one classroom was equipped with blue-enriched white lighting while the classroom next door served as a control setting. The effects of classroom lighting on cognitive performance were assessed using standardized psychological tests. Results show beneficial effects of blue-enriched white light on students׳ performance. In comparison to standard lighting conditions, students showed faster cognitive processing speed and better concentration. The blue-enriched white lighting seems to influence very basic information processing primarily, as no effects on short-term encoding and retrieval of memories were found.