The effect of lighting levels on lighting preferences for older adults using a non-immersive virtual environment of their residences

Abstract

This study aims to examine the lighting preferences of older adults in home corridors. The effect of different lighting arrangements, and lighting levels in home corridors at night were investigated in a non-immersive virtual environment. Six different lighting scenarios were established for a virtual home corridor, and 200 lux and 60 lux lighting were used in the ceiling lighting and ground lighting in these scenarios. The effects of yellow-green neon tapes applied to door frames and lighting switches on lighting preferences were also examined. For this purpose, 90 participants (60 to 85 years old) were recruited for this study. Firstly, the participants were asked to explore and experience the environments, then they were expected to answer the questionnaire with a semantic differential scale. The findings of this study demonstrated that there was a significant difference between 200 lux- 60 lux lighting. When there was ceiling lighting in the corridor, the participants mostly preferred 200 lux lighting. When there was ground lighting in the corridor, they reported 60 lux lighting more positive than 200 lux. When yellow-green neon tapes were additionally applied to the corridor for 60 lux lighting, the lighting condition using neon tapes was most preferred.