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Spitschan M. Selecting, implementing and evaluating control and placebo conditions in light therapy and light-based interventions. Ann Med 2024; 56:2298875. [PMID: 38329797 PMCID: PMC10854444 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2298875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Light profoundly influences human physiology, behaviour and cognition by affecting various functions through light-sensitive cells in the retina. Light therapy has proven effective in treating seasonal depression and other disorders. However, designing appropriate control conditions for light-based interventions remains a challenge.Materials and methods: This article presents a novel framework for selecting, implementing and evaluating control conditions in light studies, offering theoretical foundations and practical guidance. It reviews the fundamentals of photoreception and discusses control strategies such as dim light, darkness, different wavelengths, spectral composition and metameric conditions. Special cases like dynamic lighting, simulated dawn and dusk, complex interventions and studies involving blind or visually impaired patients are also considered.Results: The practical guide outlines steps for selection, implementation, evaluation and reporting, emphasizing the importance of α-opic calculations and physiological validation.Conclusion: In conclusion, constructing effective control conditions is crucial for demonstrating the efficacy of light interventions in various research scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Spitschan
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Translational Sensory & Circadian Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Chronobiology & Health, Munich, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, TUM Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS), Garching, Germany
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Martin JT, Boynton GM, Baker DH, Wade AR, Spitschan M. PySilSub: An open-source Python toolbox for implementing the method of silent substitution in vision and nonvisual photoreception research. J Vis 2023; 23:10. [PMID: 37450287 DOI: 10.1167/jov.23.7.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The normal human retina contains several classes of photosensitive cell-rods for low-light vision, three cone classes for daylight vision, and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) expressing melanopsin for non-image-forming functions, including pupil control, melatonin suppression, and circadian photoentrainment. The spectral sensitivities of the photoreceptors overlap significantly, which means that most lights will stimulate all photoreceptors to varying degrees. The method of silent substitution is a powerful tool for stimulating individual photoreceptor classes selectively and has found much use in research and clinical settings. The main hardware requirement for silent substitution is a spectrally calibrated light stimulation system with at least as many primaries as there are photoreceptors under consideration. Device settings that will produce lights to selectively stimulate the photoreceptor(s) of interest can be found using a variety of analytic and algorithmic approaches. Here we present PySilSub (https://github.com/PySilentSubstitution/pysilsub), a novel Python package for silent substitution featuring flexible support for individual colorimetric observer models (including human and mouse observers), multiprimary stimulation devices, and solving silent substitution problems with linear algebra and constrained numerical optimization. The toolbox is registered with the Python Package Index and includes example data sets from various multiprimary systems. We hope that PySilSub will facilitate the application of silent substitution in research and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Daniel H Baker
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alex R Wade
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Manuel Spitschan
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences (TUM SG), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS), Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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Brown TM, Brainard GC, Cajochen C, Czeisler CA, Hanifin JP, Lockley SW, Lucas RJ, Münch M, O’Hagan JB, Peirson SN, Price LLA, Roenneberg T, Schlangen LJM, Skene DJ, Spitschan M, Vetter C, Zee PC, Wright KP. Recommendations for daytime, evening, and nighttime indoor light exposure to best support physiology, sleep, and wakefulness in healthy adults. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001571. [PMID: 35298459 PMCID: PMC8929548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular light exposure has important influences on human health and well-being through modulation of circadian rhythms and sleep, as well as neuroendocrine and cognitive functions. Prevailing patterns of light exposure do not optimally engage these actions for many individuals, but advances in our understanding of the underpinning mechanisms and emerging lighting technologies now present opportunities to adjust lighting to promote optimal physical and mental health and performance. A newly developed, international standard provides a SI-compliant way of quantifying the influence of light on the intrinsically photosensitive, melanopsin-expressing, retinal neurons that mediate these effects. The present report provides recommendations for lighting, based on an expert scientific consensus and expressed in an easily measured quantity (melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (melaponic EDI)) defined within this standard. The recommendations are supported by detailed analysis of the sensitivity of human circadian, neuroendocrine, and alerting responses to ocular light and provide a straightforward framework to inform lighting design and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M. Brown
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (TMB); (KPW)
| | - George C. Brainard
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christian Cajochen
- Centre for Chronobiology, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charles A. Czeisler
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John P. Hanifin
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Steven W. Lockley
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J. Lucas
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mirjam Münch
- Centre for Chronobiology, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - John B. O’Hagan
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart N. Peirson
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Luke L. A. Price
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Till Roenneberg
- Institutes for Medical Psychology and Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Luc J. M. Schlangen
- Human Technology Interaction Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Intelligent Lighting Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Debra J. Skene
- Chronobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Spitschan
- Translational Sensory & Circadian Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences (TUM SG), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Céline Vetter
- Circadian and Sleep Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Phyllis C. Zee
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kenneth P. Wright
- Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail: (TMB); (KPW)
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