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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.03.17.532785

ENLIGHT Consensus Checklist and Guidelines for reporting laboratory studies on the non-visual effects of light in humans

Spitschan, M.·Kervezee, L.·Lok, R.·McGlashan, E. M.·Najjar, R. P.·ENLIGHT Consortium,
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Abstract

Beyond vision, light has wide-reaching effects on human health and well-being. However, there is no consensus on reporting light characteristics in studies investigating non-visual responses to light. This project aimed at developing a reporting checklist for laboratory-based investigations on the impact of light on non-visual physiology. To this end, a four-step modified Delphi process (three questionnaire-based feedback rounds and one face-to-face group discussion) involving international experts was conducted. Across these four rounds, an initial list of 61 items related to reporting light-based interventions was condensed to a final checklist containing 25 items, based upon consensus among experts (final n=60). Nine of these items were determined to be necessary to report regardless of the specific research question or context. A description of each item was provided in the accompanying guidelines. Most participants (92%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the consensus process, checklist, and guidelines. The ENLIGHT Checklist and Guidelines are the first consensus-based guidelines for documenting and reporting ocular light-based interventions for human studies. The implementation of the checklist and guidelines will enhance the impact of light-based research by ensuring comprehensive documentation and reproducibility and enabling data aggregation across studies.

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Spitschan, M., Kervezee, L., Lok, R., McGlashan, E. M., Najjar, R. P., ENLIGHT Consortium,. 2023-03-21. ENLIGHT Consensus Checklist and Guidelines for reporting laboratory studies on the non-visual effects of light in humans. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.17.532785

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