Association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objective sleep parameters in college students

ZHANG Anhui; YU Min; XU Yuxiang; SUN Ying

doi:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025228

Volume 46 Issue 8

Aug. 2025

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ZHANG Anhui, YU Min, XU Yuxiang, SUN Ying. Association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objective sleep parameters in college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(8): 1098-1101. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025228

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ZHANG Anhui, YU Min, XU Yuxiang, SUN Ying. Association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objective sleep parameters in college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(8): 1098-1101. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025228

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Association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objective sleep parameters in college students

doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025228

1.
Department of Child Health, Wuhu Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuhu 241000, Anhui Province, China

Received Date: 2025-02-19
Rev Recd Date: 2025-04-15

Available Online: 2025-08-30

Publish Date: 2025-08-25

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To investigate the cross-sectional association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objectively measured sleep parameters in college students, so as to provide evidence for promoting sleep health. Methods From September to October 2019, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 365 healthy college students from two universities in Hefei, establishing a cohort. Bedroom nocturnal light exposure was measured at the individual level for two consecutive days using a portable illuminometer (TES-1339R; Taishi Corp, Taiwan, China). Sleep parameters were objectively measured over seven consecutive days using wrist-worn accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X-BT, Pensacola, FL). Multiple linear regression models were employed to examine the association between nocturnal light exposure and sleep parameters. Results Compared to the low nocturnal light exposure (< 3 lx) group, the high-exposure (≥3 lx) group exhibited significantly lower sleep efficiency[(93.5±2.7)%, (92.2±2.9)%, t=3.93], longer wake after sleep onset (WASO)[(24.7±90.3)(29.2±11.2)min, t=-3.66], higher movement index(11.0±3.6, 12.2±3.8, t=-2.80), and higher sleep fragmentation index(20.5±6.5, 23.0±7.0, t=-3.24) (all P < 0.01). After adjusting for covariates, multiple linear regression showed that, compared to the low nocturnal light exposure group, the high-exposure group had reduced sleep efficiency (β=-1.15, 95%CI=-1.78 to -0.52), increased WASO [β(95%CI)=3.94(1.55-6.33)], higher movement index[β(95%CI)=1.05(0.20-1.89)], and elevated sleep fragmentation index[β(95%CI)=2.35(0.81-3.88)](all P < 0.05). Conclusions Light exposure at night negatively impacts college students' sleep. Optimizing bedroom lighting management may improve sleep quality in adolescents.
- Light,
- Environmental exposure,
- Sleep,
- Mental health,
- Regression anlaysis,
- Students

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References(24)

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