High‑Intensity Light Exposure for ICU Nurses on Night Shifts
Summary
This randomized controlled trial examined whether bright light could help ICU nurses stay more alert during night shifts. Nurses were exposed to high-intensity lighting (1,500–2,000 lux) early in the shift and compared with colleagues working under standard hospital lighting. The intervention reduced feelings of sleepiness but was also linked to more lapses on attention-based tasks. These results show both the potential and the limits of using strong light to manage fatigue in critical care environments.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
Light is one of the most powerful signals for staying awake, but this study shows that more light doesn’t automatically mean better performance. While bright lighting can improve alertness in the moment, it may also interfere with precision and accuracy if not carefully timed or dosed. For night-shift workers, the takeaway is that lighting strategies need to strike a balance—bright enough to reduce fatigue, but managed in ways that support sustained focus and safe performance.
Notes
ICU nurses; alertness/sleep measures.