Is executive attention affected by environmental lighting conditions?

Bright daylight has various positive influences, such as the long-term synchronization of circadian rhythms and an associated alertness that creates optimal conditions for attentional performance. However, the short-term effects of light on attention have not yet been sufficiently researched. Studies of these short-term effects on selective attention also showed partly contradictory effects.

[Effect of light therapy on the night sleep of children with sleep problems].

Effect of light therapy on the night sleep of children with sleep problems Studies on the effect of light therapy on the nighttime sleep of adolescents revealed earlier sleep onset and longer sleep periods. The present study examines the corresponding effects in children. A group of 28 children ( = 10.

[Efficacy of variable light in child and adolescent psychiatry].

Objective:  Studies regarding effects of light on children in regular schools show that variable light can be used to increase concentration capacity and decrease fidgetiness. These results suggest the application of specific lighting techniques in child and adolescent psychiatry to improve the conditions for therapeutic success. 

Method:  The lighting programs “concentration” and “soothing” of the variable light were evaluated in a clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry based on an A-B-A-B design.

Clowning as a supportive measure in paediatrics - a survey of clowns, parents and nursing staff.

Background: Hospital clowns, also known as clown doctors, can help paediatric patients with the stress of a hospitalization and to circumvent the accompanying feelings of fear, helplessness and sadness, thus supporting the healing process. The objectives of the present study were to clarify the structural and procedural conditions of paediatric clowning in Germany and to document the evaluations of hospital clowns, parents and hospital staff.

Methods: A nationwide online survey of hospital clowns currently active in paediatric departments and an accompanying field evaluation in Hamburg hospitals with surveys of parents and hospital staff were conducted.

[Evaluation of the Marburg Spelling Training (MRT) in 2nd- and 3rd-grade students with spelling difficulties].

Objective: Children with severe dyslexia are substantially impaired because reading and writing are key competencies necessary for a successful academic and occupational career.

Methods: In this evaluation study, a cohort of 2nd- and 3rd-grade students from a variety of Hamburg primary schools was trained with the Marburger Rechtschreibtraining (MRT) by supervised university graduates. The research questions focused on the feasibility of the MRT as a within-school training, the improvement of spelling and reading skills of the participants, subjective assessments of success, as well as potential predictors.

Applicability and efficacy of variable light in schools.

There is a range of reliable, empirical data on the effects of special lighting techniques on the performance of adults in the work environment in the literature. However, these studies have not adequately addressed the effects of lighting on school children in the classroom environment. In the present study, the effect of variable lighting (VL) i.