Measuring light exposure in daily life: A review of wearable light loggers
J. van Duijnhoven, Steffen L. Hartmeyer, Altuğ Didikoğlu, Oliver Stefani, Kevin W. Houser, Vineetha Kalavally, Manuel Spitschan
Abstract
• Data from 53 wearable light loggers systematically collected using a survey design. • Growing number and sophistication of wearable light loggers over the past decade. • Substantial variability in reported device characteristics. • Need for industry-wide standards for reporting device characteristics. • Collaboration is key in developing wearable light loggers. Wearable light loggers are increasingly available for various applications, including consumer, research and clinical contexts. This study employed a survey design to systematically outline available wearable light loggers, focusing on their key characteristics and usability. Through expert meetings and iterative discussions, we developed a comprehensive survey instrument covering device properties, sensor characteristics, calibration methods, and applications. Data were collected from manufacturer-provided information and public sources for 53 wearable light loggers. Our findings highlight the diversity among wearable light loggers in terms of their device characteristics. A notable increase in the number and sophistication of wearable light loggers is visible over the past decade. However, the variability in the quality and completeness of reported device performance and validation methods emphasizes the importance of standardized practices and improved collaboration between researchers and manufacturers to enhance the reliability and usability of wearable light logging technologies in scientific research.