A systematic literature review on the rationale for and effects of dynamic light scenarios

The use of dynamic light scenarios for indoor environments may be motivated by the aim to support our circadian rhythms or provide a fascinating and/or informative environment. Additionally, dynamic lighting may be beneficial as it could acutely provide support at certain times of day, or for specific tasks or activities. A systematic literature search was performed to explore the dynamic scenarios that have been designed and tested to date. We explored what the motivations behind them were, and what the effectiveness of these scenarios was. On all aspects, the fourteen included articles varied substantially. The most promising effect seemed to be improved sleep due to an increased light dose during the day. However, for future work, it is recommended to explicitly explain and carefully align the theoretical rationale, the dynamic light scenario and the study protocol, including outcome measures. This review suggests potential beneficial effects of dynamic light scenarios on human functioning, but also clearly indicates that consolidated strategies for their description and assessment are currently lacking.