Do blue light filter applications improve sleep outcomes? A study of smartphone users’ sleep quality

Abstract

Do blue light filter applications improve sleep outcomes? A study of smartphone users’ sleep quality in an observational setting Rabiei M, Masoumi SJ, Haghani M, Nematolahi S, Rabiei R, Mortazavi SMJ (2024). Do blue light filter applications improve sleep outcomes? A study of smartphone users’ sleep quality in an observational setting. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2024.2327432. Abstract Exposure to blue light at bedtime, suppresses melatonin secretion, postponing the sleep onset and interrupting the sleep process. Some smartphone manufacturers have introduced night-mode functions, which have been claimed to aid in improving sleep quality. In this study, we evaluate the impact of blue light filter application on decreasing blue light emissions and improving sleep quality. Participants in this study recorded the pattern of using their mobile phones through a questionnaire. In order to evaluate sleep quality, we used a PSQI questionnaire. Blue light filters were used by 9.7% of respondents, 9.7% occasionally, and 80% never. The mean score of PSQI was more than 5 in 54.10% of the participants and less than 5 in 45.90%. ANOVA test was performed to assess the relationship between using blue light filter applications and sleep quality (p-value = 0.925). The findings of this study indicate a connection between the use of blue light filter apps and habitual sleep efficiency in the 31–40 age group. However, our results align only to some extent with prior research, as we did not observe sustained positive effects on all parameters of sleep quality from the long-term use of blue light filtering apps. Several studies have found that blue light exposure can suppress melatonin secretion, exacerbating sleep problems. Some studies have reported that physical blue light filters, such as lenses, can affect melatonin secretion and improve sleep quality. However, the impact of blue light filtering applications remains unclear and debatable. Plain Language Summary Using smartphones before bedtime and being exposed to its blue light can make it harder to fall asleep and disrupt your sleep. Some smartphone makers have introduced a night mode feature claiming it can help improve your sleep. In this study, we wanted to find out if using these blue light filters on smartphones really makes a difference. We asked people how often they used blue light filters on their phones and also had them fill out a questionnaire about their sleep quality. Only about 10% of people said they used blue light filters regularly, another 10% used them occasionally, and the majority, around 80%, never used them. When we looked at the results, more than half of the participants had sleep scores higher than 5, indicating they might have sleep problems. Less than half had sleep scores lower than 5, suggesting better sleep quality. We used some statistical tests to see if using blue light filters had any link to sleep quality, and the results showed that there was only a connection between the use of blue light filter apps and habitual sleep efficiency in the 31–40 age group. Our findings matched what other studies have found before, that using blue light filters on smartphones may not significantly help improve sleep. So, while it might be a good idea to limit smartphone use before bed, using a blue light filter app may not be the magic solution for better sleep. tandfonline.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Blue light filter applications were used regularly by 9.7% of respondents, occasionally by 9.7%, and never by 80%. ANOVA assessing the relationship between blue light filter app use and sleep quality found no association (p=0.925). The study reports a connection between blue light filter app use and habitual sleep efficiency in the 31–40 age group, but did not observe sustained positive effects across all sleep quality parameters with long-term use.

Outcomes measured

• Sleep quality (PSQI)
• Habitual sleep efficiency (PSQI component)
• Blue light emissions (decreasing blue light emissions; evaluation mentioned)

Limitations

• Observational (non-randomized) design
• Mobile phone use pattern and blue light filter use were self-reported via questionnaire
• Sample size not stated in provided abstract
• Details of how blue light emissions were measured/evaluated are not provided in the abstract

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    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "smartphone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "bedtime / before sleep (self-reported phone use pattern)"
    },
    "population": "smartphone users (participants completed questionnaires)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Sleep quality (PSQI)",
        "Habitual sleep efficiency (PSQI component)",
        "Blue light emissions (decreasing blue light emissions; evaluation mentioned)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Blue light filter applications were used regularly by 9.7% of respondents, occasionally by 9.7%, and never by 80%. ANOVA assessing the relationship between blue light filter app use and sleep quality found no association (p=0.925). The study reports a connection between blue light filter app use and habitual sleep efficiency in the 31–40 age group, but did not observe sustained positive effects across all sleep quality parameters with long-term use.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Observational (non-randomized) design",
        "Mobile phone use pattern and blue light filter use were self-reported via questionnaire",
        "Sample size not stated in provided abstract",
        "Details of how blue light emissions were measured/evaluated are not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "blue light",
        "blue light filter",
        "night mode",
        "smartphone",
        "sleep quality",
        "PSQI",
        "melatonin",
        "habitual sleep efficiency",
        "observational study"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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