Effect of blue light exposure on autonomic functions and perceived stress among medical students: A randomized controlled trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 70
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Perceived stress, Heart rate variability, and galvanic skin response
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Color therapy is a traditional naturopathic healing modality that employs the therapeutic application of specific colors to restore physiological and psychological balance. Based on the principle that colors carry specific vibrational frequencies that interact with the human biofield and influence bodily functions. In naturopathy, it is believed that exposure to a particular color, either through visual gazing, ambient lighting, or direct skin exposure, can harmonize internal organ systems and regulate autonomic balance. The majority of research has either used visual exposure alone or ambient lighting, with limited investigation into combined modalities involving both visual gazing and simultaneous skin exposure over a longitudinal duration. Furthermore, studies assessing these effects specifically in high-stress academic populations, such as medical students who are known to experience elevated perceived stress and reduced autonomic flexibility compared to their non-medical peers, are scarce.
This study explores the cumulative effects of chromotherapy on autonomic modulation and stress resilience in a vulnerable group
Eligibility to participate would be screened through the PSS 10 questionnaire, with individuals with a score more than or equal to 14 and a negative Ishihara test would be included
Grouping -
70 individuals - divided into 2 equal groups
Group A (intervention): blue light exposure (n = 35)
Group B (control): white light exposure (n = 35)
Assessments -The HRV, GSR, and HR would be assessed continuously for a total duration of 25 minutes, during which the assessment would be divided into pre-stressor ( 7 minutes), 7 minutes during stressor (MAT - mental arithmetic task) and 10 minutes during the recovery phase post stressor. This procedure will be repeated twice - once before the intervention and again 4 weeks after the chromotherapy intervention.
Intervention
Group A - blue light (20 minutes) - 5 days a week for 4 weeks
Group B - white light (20 minutes) - 5 days a week for 4 weeks
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Masking
- Outcome Assessor Blinded
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18.00 Year(s) to 30.00 Year(s) (—)
- Sex
- All
Inclusion Criteria
- •Subjects willing to participate after signing the informed consent form
- •Individuals with moderate to high perceived stress (PSS 10 more than or equal to 14)
- •With normal or corrected to normal vision.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Students with a history of Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic autonomic dysfunctions, Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, migraine), Severe psychiatric illnesses
- •Current use of autonomic-modulating medications, antidepressants, sedatives, or beta-blockers.
- •Participants with color blindness or visual impairments affecting color perception.
- •Students with a history of photosensitivity or light-triggered headaches/seizures.
- •Individuals involved in night-shift work or with severe irregular sleep schedules.
- •Individuals habituated to coffee, tea, smoking, or alcohol
- •Ongoing participation in any other clinical or stress management intervention (e.g., psychotherapy, light therapy, active relaxation protocols).
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Perceived stress, Heart rate variability, and galvanic skin response
Time Frame: Pre assessment (baseline) | Post assessment (post one month of intervention)
Secondary Outcomes
- To assess the percentage change in the time and frequency domains of the HRV(To correlate the changes in the heart rate variability with the changes in the perceived stress)
Investigators
Dr Chandana A
Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Naturopathy and Yogic Science, Ujire