The impact of dynamic lighting on cognitive processes

In this work, the variation of lighting parameters (illuminance and correlated colour temperature) was used as a prestimulus to investigate effects on cognitive processes. To synchronize the pre-programmed lighting scenarios with the stimulus presentation, a control unit with a short response time was implemented into a LED lighting unit with precisely controllable luminous intensity and correlated color temperature. We investigated effects of recurrent variations in illumination on performance and if the deviation from a standard illumination condition can trigger a neuronal response in the brain to path the way for the following conflict stimulus. In our experiment the Stroop condition showed a strong effect on the reaction time of the subjects whereas no significant difference in reaction time occurred between the two different lighting conditions.