Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research
Light is a variable of key interest in circadian rhythms research, commonly measured using wrist-worn sensors. The GENEActiv Original is a cost-effective and practical option for assessing light in ambulatory settings. With increasing research on health and well-being incorporating sleep and circadi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Clocks & Sleep |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5175/2/2/12 |
| _version_ | 1797570848196919296 |
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| author | Julia E. Stone Elise M. McGlashan Elise R. Facer-Childs Sean W. Cain Andrew J. K. Phillips |
| author_facet | Julia E. Stone Elise M. McGlashan Elise R. Facer-Childs Sean W. Cain Andrew J. K. Phillips |
| author_sort | Julia E. Stone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Light is a variable of key interest in circadian rhythms research, commonly measured using wrist-worn sensors. The GENEActiv Original is a cost-effective and practical option for assessing light in ambulatory settings. With increasing research on health and well-being incorporating sleep and circadian factors, the validity of wearable devices for assessing light environments needs to be evaluated. In this study, we tested the accuracy of the GENEActiv Original devices (<i>n</i> = 10) for recording light under a range of ecologically relevant lighting conditions, including LED, fluorescent, infrared, and outdoor lighting. The GENEActiv output had a strong linear relationship with photopic illuminance. However, the devices consistently under-reported photopic illuminance, especially below 100 lux. Accuracy below 100 lux depended on the light source, with lower accuracy and higher variability under fluorescent lighting. The device’s accuracy was also tested using light sources of varying spectral composition, which indicated that the device tends to under-report photopic illuminance for green light sources and over-report for red light sources. Furthermore, measures of photopic illuminance were impacted by infrared light exposure. We conclude that the GENEActiv Original is suitable for mapping light patterns within an individual context, and can reasonably differentiate indoor vs. outdoor lighting, though the accuracy is variable at low light conditions. Given the human circadian system’s high sensitivity to light levels below 100 lux, if using the GENEActiv Original, we recommend also collecting light source data to better understand the impact on the circadian system, especially where participants spend prolonged periods in dim lighting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:31:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1d4f11ec83e4cf09ddafbee3b8e623f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-5175 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:31:15Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clocks & Sleep |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1d4f11ec83e4cf09ddafbee3b8e623f2023-11-19T21:25:33ZengMDPI AGClocks & Sleep2624-51752020-04-012214315210.3390/clockssleep2020012Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian ResearchJulia E. Stone0Elise M. McGlashan1Elise R. Facer-Childs2Sean W. Cain3Andrew J. K. Phillips4Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, AustraliaTurner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, AustraliaTurner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, AustraliaTurner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, AustraliaTurner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, AustraliaLight is a variable of key interest in circadian rhythms research, commonly measured using wrist-worn sensors. The GENEActiv Original is a cost-effective and practical option for assessing light in ambulatory settings. With increasing research on health and well-being incorporating sleep and circadian factors, the validity of wearable devices for assessing light environments needs to be evaluated. In this study, we tested the accuracy of the GENEActiv Original devices (<i>n</i> = 10) for recording light under a range of ecologically relevant lighting conditions, including LED, fluorescent, infrared, and outdoor lighting. The GENEActiv output had a strong linear relationship with photopic illuminance. However, the devices consistently under-reported photopic illuminance, especially below 100 lux. Accuracy below 100 lux depended on the light source, with lower accuracy and higher variability under fluorescent lighting. The device’s accuracy was also tested using light sources of varying spectral composition, which indicated that the device tends to under-report photopic illuminance for green light sources and over-report for red light sources. Furthermore, measures of photopic illuminance were impacted by infrared light exposure. We conclude that the GENEActiv Original is suitable for mapping light patterns within an individual context, and can reasonably differentiate indoor vs. outdoor lighting, though the accuracy is variable at low light conditions. Given the human circadian system’s high sensitivity to light levels below 100 lux, if using the GENEActiv Original, we recommend also collecting light source data to better understand the impact on the circadian system, especially where participants spend prolonged periods in dim lighting.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5175/2/2/12lightactigraphyambulatory monitoringchronobiologydosimeter |
| spellingShingle | Julia E. Stone Elise M. McGlashan Elise R. Facer-Childs Sean W. Cain Andrew J. K. Phillips Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research Clocks & Sleep light actigraphy ambulatory monitoring chronobiology dosimeter |
| title | Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research |
| title_full | Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research |
| title_fullStr | Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research |
| title_short | Accuracy of the GENEActiv Device for Measuring Light Exposure in Sleep and Circadian Research |
| title_sort | accuracy of the geneactiv device for measuring light exposure in sleep and circadian research |
| topic | light actigraphy ambulatory monitoring chronobiology dosimeter |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5175/2/2/12 |
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