USDOE Human Subjects Research Database, fiscal year 1995

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Project Identifier: LLNL-95-118

Project Title:

Human Factors Evaluation of the Light Exposure Calculator

Principle Investigator: Dr. Stephen R. Burastero

Project started in: 1995

Fiscal Year 1995 Funding for Research on Human Subjects:

Project Funding Information:
Project received funding in Fiscal Year 1995.
Project used human subjects in Fiscal Year 1995.

Funding Sources:

DOE: Defense Programs (SBI)

Amount: $5,000

Information on Use of Human Subjects:

Project does not involve use of multiple protocols/subprojects.

IRB Review:
Type of Review: Full Board
Most Recent Approval: July 19, 1995
IRB Approval Number: 95-118

Number of Human Subjects in the Last Reporting Period for this Project: 10
(Reporting periods vary.)

Type of Human Subjects Involvement:

Other use of human subjects:

Use of human subjects to study the effects of temporal shifts on physiological adaption of the body.

(a. Objectives, b. Methodology, c. Ionizing Radiation, Radioactive Substances, or Chemical Substances to which human subjects are exposed, d. Involvement of Human Subjects [d.1. procedures used, d.2. risks if any])

Jet lag is a major problem affecting overseas travelers. It is caused by a disruption of the body's natural sleep-wake cycles. A similar problem affects shift work employees in DOE defense and civilian programs and private industry. Properly timed exposure to bright light can prevent or ameliorate jet lag by rapidly resetting the body clock. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the ergonomics/human factors interface of the Light Exposure Calculator. This product tells the traveler who crosses time zones at what times to seek exposure to either light or darkness in order to combat jet lag.

The research objectives include discovering users' reactions to the product, how well users interface with the calculator, what obstacles prevent its correct use, and how to help the manufacturer address these concerns.

The evaluation will be carried out by providing a small sample of travelers from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Health Services Travel Clinic with the Light Exposure Calculator and with a questionnaire about their usage. Researchers with the Ergonomics Research Program will report the results to Synchrony, documenting findings. The knowledge gained from this project will help to enhance productivity among DOE-Defense Program employees involved with business travel or shift work.