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

Purpose. - Studies showed beneficial effect of light therapy on well-being at work. Our randomized crossover study aimed at analyzing the effects of light exposition with the use of Luminette (R) 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 (R) and two periods of four weeks without Luminette (R). 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 (R) : 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. (C) 2013 Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.