[Impact of the use of Luminette® on well-being at work in a radiotherapy department]

Abstract

Purpose: Studies showed beneficial effect of light therapy on well-being at work. Our randomized cross-over study aimed at analyzing the effects of light exposition with the use of Luminette® in a hospital department without access to natural light.

Materials and methods: The study design proposed an alternation between two periods of four weeks of use of Luminette® and two periods of four weeks without Luminette®. After every period, participants completed questionnaires (sociodemographic data, seasonal and general depression, anxiety, quality of sleep, slumber and general health).

Results: Twenty-five persons participated in the study (average age=36.5, SD=7.7). The sample showed several benefits after one month of Luminette®: diurnal slumber (P=0.046), general health perception (P=0.026), physical functioning (P=0.042), pains (P=0.023) and role limitations due to emotional problems (P=0.013). One month later, certain benefits remained without light therapy: diurnal slumber (P=0.028), pains (P=0.044) and emotional problems (P=0.042).

Conclusion: This study has showed that the use of Luminette® could lead to similar positive results to those obtained with light therapy in other studies. This study has confirmed that Luminette® could have a positive effect on well-being at work.

Keywords: Depressive symptoms; Health promotion; Light therapy; Luminothérapie; Promotion de la santé; Radiotherapy; Radiothérapie; Symptômes dépressifs; Travail; Work.