Feasibility of a Circadian Lighting Intervention to Promote Sleep in College Students

Abstract

College students report poor sleep quality that impacts class attendance, productivity, and overall success in college. Circadian lighting has helped to regulate sleep patterns and improve sleep quality in populations who traditionally experience poor sleep. A feasibility study was conducted to determine the practicality of conducting a study in which a circadian lighting intervention would be implemented in college students’ dorms to study the effect on sleep, mood, and productivity. This study examined the process, resources, data management, and preliminary efficacy of a 4-wk, daily, one-hour lightbox exposure. Results indicated the lightbox was well-received by students. Recommendations to facilitate the study include improved recruitment efforts, data management, use of a research-grade activity tracker, modification of data collection days, and utilization of research associates to assist in data collection. Preliminary outcomes showed improved sleep quality and productivity for schoolwork in this sample of college students.