Selecting, implementing and evaluating control and placebo conditions in light therapy and light-based interventions

Abstract

Introduction: Light profoundly influences human physiology, behaviour and cognition by affecting various functions through light-sensitive cells in the retina. Light therapy has proven effective in treating seasonal depression and other disorders. However, designing appropriate control conditions for light-based interventions remains a challenge.

Materials and methods: This article presents a novel framework for selecting, implementing and evaluating control conditions in light studies, offering theoretical foundations and practical guidance. It reviews the fundamentals of photoreception and discusses control strategies such as dim light, darkness, different wavelengths, spectral composition and metameric conditions. Special cases like dynamic lighting, simulated dawn and dusk, complex interventions and studies involving blind or visually impaired patients are also considered.

Results: The practical guide outlines steps for selection, implementation, evaluation and reporting, emphasizing the importance of α-opic calculations and physiological validation.

Conclusion: In conclusion, constructing effective control conditions is crucial for demonstrating the efficacy of light interventions in various research scenarios.

Keywords:

• Light therapy
• light-based interventions
• ipRGCs
• α-opic
• light
• placebo
• control conditions
• bright light therapy

Author contributions

Conceptualization, data duration, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, resources, software, visualization, writing – original draft and writing – review and editing: M.S. Data curation, funding acquisition, investigation, methodology, project administration, resources, supervision and validation: n/a.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Code to produce the figure and underlying data can be obtained from https://github.com/tscnlab/Spitschan_AnnMed_2023.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this research.