International Journal of Physiology

  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 3

A Study of Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency among Individuals Exposed to Artificial Light from Electronic Gadgets

1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, India

2Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Sambram Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Shankarappa V, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Sambram Institute of Medical Sciences, KGF, Karnataka, India, Email: prabhavsetty@gmail.com

Online published on 25 July, 2019.

Abstract

The critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) is the frequency at which a flickering stimulus is perceived to be steady, with higher values suggesting greater perceptual accuracy. Measurement CFF has been used to evaluate the processing speed of central nerves system and the coordination between the sensory and the motor systems. Exposure to LED light from smart phones causes sleep disorders. Lack of sleep affects alertness, concentration, memory leading to later developing anxiety disorders, depressive illness, and substance abuse. Hence the current study is designed to estimate CFF exposed to artificial light from electronics.

Fifty young healthy subjects not exposed to the artificial light from electronic gadgets (group I) & fifty age and sex matched subjects exposed to the artificial light from electronic gadgets (group II) in the age group of 18–38 years were included for the study. Informed consent was taken from the participants. Critical fusion frequency was recorded. Sleep quality, pattern & daytime sleepiness were assessed by questionnaire.

CFF in group I (38.33 ± 0.98) Hz was significantly higher at 95% confidence interval than higher than in group II (36.65 ± 0.71) Hz, p < 0.001. CFF was positively and significantly correlated with the duration of electronic gadget usage.

CFF was higher in not exposed to the artificial light from electronic gadgets than subjects exposed to artificial light.

Keywords

Artificial light, CFF, Sleep, Electronic gadgets