Affiliations: [a] Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Care, Research Centre for Innovation in Health Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands | [b] Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Allied Health Professions, Research Group Health Innovations and Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands | [c] Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven, The Netherlands | [d] Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Delft, The Netherlands | [e] Light and Health Research Foundation (SOLG), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Joost van Hoof, Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Care, Research Centre for Innovation in Health Care, Bolognalaan 101, 3584 CJ Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: jvhoof1980@hotmail.com.
Abstract: Light therapy is increasingly administered and studied as a non-pharmacologic treatment for a variety of health-related problems, including treatment of people with dementia. Light therapy comes in a variety of ways, ranging from being exposed to daylight, to being exposed to light emitted by light boxes and ambient bright light. Light therapy is an area in medicine where medical sciences meet the realms of physics, engineering and technology. Therefore, it is paramount that attention is paid in the methodology of studies to the technical aspects in their full breadth. This paper provides an extensive introduction for non-technical researchers on how to describe and adjust their methodology when involved in lighting therapy research. A specific focus in this manuscript is on ambient bright light, as it is an emerging field within the domain of light therapy. The paper deals with how to (i) describe the lighting equipment, (ii) describe the light measurements, (iii) describe the building and interaction with daylight. Moreover, attention is paid to the uncertainty in standards and guidelines regarding light and lighting for older adults.
