A Randomized Controlled Study of the Colour of Light Exposure on Attention and Short Term Memory
[1]
Lee Ze Han, Faculty of Medicine, Melaka Manipal Medical College Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia.
[2]
Yap Zuoo Chi, Faculty of Medicine, Melaka Manipal Medical College Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia.
[3]
Izrina Farisha Binti Ishak, Faculty of Medicine, Melaka Manipal Medical College Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia.
[4]
Spencer Thomas Silva, Faculty of Medicine, Melaka Manipal Medical College Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia.
Colours play an important role in stimulating the learning process of students, which ultimately would enhance their educational experiences. Hence, this study is conducted to determine the effects of exposure on different colours of light on attention and short-term memory among medical students. This randomized controlled trial was conducted among 90 medical students in private medical college in Malaysia, from June to August 2018. They were divided into three groups including blue, yellow and white light group (control group) with 30 participants respectively. Then, attention and memory tests were conducted. The data was analysed using software like Epi Info 7, GraphPad and Microsoft Excel. The mean of attention score percentage of yellow light group 80.7 (8.7) followed by control group 76.8 (9.4) and blue light group 72.1 (10.9) with P value of < 0.05 which is significant. On the other hand, the mean of memory score percentage of yellow light group 72.3 (16.4) is highest followed by control group 62.8 (18.5) and blue light group 57.5 (14.5) with P value of < 0.05 which is significant. In this study, the yellow light group had the highest mean scores compared to yellow light group and control group. Therefore, the yellow light is the most effective light used in improving performances of tasks requiring attention and memory by the students.
Light Exposure, Attention, Memory, Randomized Trial
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