The Effect of Spectrum-Enhanced Artificial Light on Students’ Cognitive Activities

Iulian Gherasim, Cătălin-Daniel Gălățanu, Cătălina-Elena Bistriceanu, Florin-Emilian Țurcanu, Petru-Valentin Roșu, Valeriu-Sebastian Hudișteanu, Cătălin-George Popovici, Răzvan-Silviu Luciu, Andrei Burlacu (), Radu Andy Sascău, Cristian Stătescu and Larisa Anghel
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Iulian Gherasim: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Cătălin-Daniel Gălățanu: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Cătălina-Elena Bistriceanu: Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700503 Iași, Romania
Florin-Emilian Țurcanu: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Petru-Valentin Roșu: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Valeriu-Sebastian Hudișteanu: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Cătălin-George Popovici: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Răzvan-Silviu Luciu: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Andrei Burlacu: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, 700050 Iași, Romania
Radu Andy Sascău: Internal Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700503 Iași, Romania
Cristian Stătescu: Internal Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700503 Iași, Romania
Larisa Anghel: Internal Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700503 Iași, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-28

Abstract: Light is a powerful environmental factor with proven effects on human cognitive activity. This study investigated the effects of two types of light—LED with an enhanced long-wavelength spectrum and classic fluorescent—on concentration and attention of undergraduate students. Concentration was assessed through EEG, while attention was evaluated using d2 and TP psychometric tests. The experiment was carried out in a classroom equipped with both lighting systems, with each participant completing two testing sessions under different light conditions, separated by at least seven days to allow for washout. Results showed that during the first administration, LED lighting supported better performance across both EEG and psychometric measures compared to fluorescent light, suggesting enhanced concentration and attention. By the second administration, these differences were less evident, likely due to learning and task familiarization effects. Nonparametric ANOVA-type analyses further indicated that the effect of lighting on performance depended not only on the light type but also on the order of exposure, with students who switched from fluorescent to LED showing improvement, whereas the reverse sequence was associated with a decline. Overall, the findings suggest that LED lighting enriched in warm tones may positively influence attention and concentration, though results should be viewed as exploratory due to the small sample size.

Keywords: light spectrum; LED lamp; fluorescent lamp; concentration; attention; classroom; student; daylight; circadian light (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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