Research
A new approach to understanding the impact of circadian disruption on human health
Journal of Circadian Rhythms 2008, 6:7 doi:10.1186/1740-3391-6-7
Missing Nighttime Light Exposure?
Berndette Chasteen
(2008-07-26 00:03) RTI International 
This new technique for studying the effects of circadian disruption is a wonderful step forward for our understanding of this important area of human health. I just worry that having the Daysimeter device left next to the subject during sleep hours will miss critical nighttime light exposure when the subject gets up in the night (e.g. turning on a bathroom light or passing a window which admits streetlight).
Competing interests
None declared
Re: Missing Nighttime Light Exposure?
J. Bullough (2008-07-29 15:34) Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
It is standard protocol that participants should wear the device if they get up during normal sleep hours (e.g., to use the bathroom) so such light exposures would be measured. See for example the bottom panel of Figure 1 from a related paper (Figueiro et al. 2006) where the Daysimeter was used.
Competing interests
None
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