The effects of exposure to natural light in the workplace on the health and productivity of office workers: a systematic review protocol
Review question/objective The objectives of this review are to examine studies that evaluate offices with windows to the external environment which permit the entry of natural light on the health and productivity of the workers as monitored by output, staff turnover, sickness and absence from work and measures of their health status. The specific question to be answered: Do office workers with exposure to daylight experience better general health? Do office workers with exposure to daylight demonstrate a higher productivity of work output? Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include adults who work in an office environment. It is anticipated that all study participants will be over 18 years of age and regularly working in an office or office like environment. Studies considering effects on night shift office workers will be included with outcomes considered separately from day time office workers. Studies that consider regular part time or full time workers will be included in the review. This review will consider studies including males and females regardless of any pre existing medical conditions. However, participants with pre existing medical conditions will be examined in a sub group analysis. Types of intervention For the purpose of this the office environment is considered to be an administrative work place as opposed to a factory, school or retail facility. Office workers within other facilities may be included, however this population must be able to be considered discretely. The review will consider studies that evaluate office space with windows, skylights, atria or any facility allowing exposure to daylight from the external environment with our without a nature view compared to office space without facility to allow exposure to daylight and having lighting provided exclusively by electric light sources. i.e. Intervention: office space with windows, skylights, atria or any facility allowing exposure to daylight from the external environment with our without a nature view Comparator: office space without facility to allow exposure to daylight and having lighting provided exclusively by electric light sources. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include health and work productivity outcome measures TRUNCATED AT 350 WORDS
JBI library of systematic reviews