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Content uploaded by Nikolai Matveev
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Nikolai Matveev on Jan 05, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
22
ficult to obtain such stimulation in a big city envi-
ronment. As a result, variuos methods and facilities
of audiovisual stimulation are actively being deve-
loped, which can be applied both independently,
and as part of the healthcare system.
Ideas around colour-music – the interaction
of light, sound and music, were first developed
by A.N. Skryabin in the 19th century. However,
since then ideas about the synaptic connection be-
tween sound and colour have not been comprehen-
sively explored, in a way which would imply poten-
tial abilities of joining art and modern facilities [2].
Colours and sounds create changes in the work
of the brain, stimulating its activity and influenc-
ing the main feeling systems through hearing and
sight. This raises questions about the level if inter-
connectedness and interaction between the sense
organs, or more widely concerning interactions
of eisodic systems [3]. Colours and sounds can be
a terrible force as well, which is capable of harm;
they can be a powerful weapon against a human
body. Simultaneous exposure to sound and light
is desirable, because it would allow implementing
abilities of the light psychophysiological resonance
strengthening music effect (or on the contrary,
light effect) [4]. This creates a surprising sensation
experienced by participants of a Sound and Light
performance [5]. Moreover, recent research has
shown that light therapy effectively deals with cer-
tain frustrations of mood, circadian rhythms and
of sleep. [6]
Using different exposure types and methods,
a resonance can be caused with different systems
ABSTRACT
Each person in the modern world deals with
a multitude of stimuli and stressors: the rhythms
of urban life, stressful situations at work, diffi-
culties in home life, domestic issues and many
other things. The practice of targeted exposure
of the audiovisual system to sensations can pro-
vide a possibility of using optoelectronic facilities
for drug-free therapy, which improves psycholo-
gical and emotional states, qualitatively raising liv-
ing standards.
Keywords: colouristic, psychophysiology
of spectator perception, sound design, colour de-
sign, light therapy, sound therapy
The research carried out in the period 2009–
2012 within the «IOSHA» (Improving Occupation-
al Safety and Health Awareness of Employers and
Employees in CEE) project, showed that workplace
illness accounts for 167,000 deaths annually in Eu-
rope. The primary factor (35.4 %) is stress (23 mil-
lion EU citizens annually need urgent treatment
for workplace stress related issues); economic loss-
es amount to 4 % of Gross Domestic Product, or
more than €500 billion. However, only 9.3 % em-
ployers actively address rehabilitation, and 20.3 %
intend to introduce new initiatives [1]. An ideal
method of relaxation is natural audiovisual stim-
ulation. It has been shown that the spectral com-
positions of natural sounds (noise of waterfalls,
birdsong, fire crackling, etc.) are similar to brain
rhythms in a normal state. However, it is often dif-
Light & Engineering Svetotekhnika
Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 22-24, 2016 No. 1, 2016, pp. 5-6
RESEARCH INTO THE INFLUENCE OF LIGHT-MUSIC PERFORMANCES
ON PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL STATES
Nikolai V. Matveev1, Victor T. Prokopenko1, Natalia P. Sapunova1*, and Daniil A. Fridman2
1The St.-Petersburg ITMO UNIVERSITY
2 Lux Aeterna Theatre, St.‑Petersburg
*E‑mail: modernns@yandex.ru
Light & Engineering Vol. 24, No. 2
23
3. Participants were tested again four consec-
utive times.
4. A session of the colour-sound exposure
of the second type took place.
5. Finally, the participants were tested four
consecutive times again.
The content of the two types of colour-sound
exposure were chosen for the participants. The
contents differed both by visual, and by sound
stimuli. The content of the first type comprised
a visual-sound track combining interaction
of a sound track with a pleasant quiet melody and
of three colours: green, dark blue and red. The
content of the second type comprised a combina-
tion of the sound track, which was distinct from
the first but similar in the essence, however this
content contained one colour only: dark blue.
It should be noted that the contents of the
sound-colour exposure did not just have different
colour-music characteristics but also different di-
rections of exposure. In particular, the first type
of content aimed to arouse the participants emo-
tionally, to raise their psycho-emotional and phy-
sical tone, to inspire a state of vivacity and vitality,
and to provide as a whole, an effect of a “resur-
gence”, which should influence an increase in the
working capacity level. The second type of content,
on the contrary aimed to calm and relax the par-
ticipants, to immerse them in a state of inner rest
similar to meditation.
The group as a whole, as well as gender sub-
groups, showed a gain in the efficiency indicator
for 75 % of participants. This means that exposure
to the first type of content accomplishes its target
function: increased working capacity. A positive ef-
fect of directed exposure to the second type of co-
lour-music was also observed. In this latter case,
or parts of our body. It is possible to activate both
physiological (system) and emotional responses di-
rectly connected with the exposed area.
This research investigated the influence of frag-
ments of a light-music performance by Lux Aeterna
Theatre on the psychophysiological state of a per-
son. The research was carried out at the St.-Pe-
tersburg National Research University of Infor-
mation Technology, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO
University).
Light images of the Lux Aeterna performance
are formed as laser radiation passes through
phase-amplitude transparencies (or when it is re-
flecting from them). The transparencies can be
plastic or glass surfaces, optical elements (includ-
ing those with defects), films and liquids. Abstract
images are mainly as a result of radiation diffrac-
tion on non -uniformities of a transparency and
represent interference pictures. One can add dy-
namics to the images using different methods.
As light sources in the experiments, two semicon-
ductor lasers and one solid-state laser with diode
pumping at wavelengths of 445, 650 and 532 nm
respectively were used.
The experimental method consisted of a se-
quential presentation of a test task to the test sub-
ject and in the exposure on the test subject to two
different types of sound-colour content. As a test
task, the respondents were set the Ring of Landolt
test, in which the persons under test were offered to
find and specify in the test table, rings of a certain
type. The type of the rings was set in a random way.
The test results were analysed by speed and
accuracy, from which an efficiency indicator was
deduced. After the test was completed, the par-
ticipant underwent a session of colour-sound
exposure.
The experimental installation was a prototype
relaxation office, in which a hemisphere with base
diameter of 3 m was used as a screen.
In Fig. 1, a participant is shown sitting
in a comfortable armchair in a semi-reclined posi-
tion during a session of the colour-sound exposure.
The participants were 32 adults, both women,
and men, 21 to 34 aged.
The action sequence of the experiment was
as follows:
1. Participants were tested four consecutive
times (to exclude the proficiency effect).
2. A session of the colour-sound exposure
of the first type took place.
Fig. 1. A session
of colour-sound
exposure
Light & Engineering Vol. 24, No. 2
24
4. Yuryev F. I. Light music. Kiev: Muzichna Ukraina,
1971, 98 p.
5. Galeyev B. M. Performances “Sound and Light”
in the system of arts // Materials of the third conference
on the Light and Music problem. Kazan: Prometei SDB,
1975, pp. 191–194.
6. Breinard D. K., Khanifin D. P. Use of light energy:
from photons to human health // Svetotekhnika, 2014,
№ 4, pp. 18–22.
the positive impact is confirmed by a decrease
of the observed growth in the efficiency indicator
of up to 30 % and by an increase in the “efficien-
cy decrease” indicator by no less than 25 %. This
is evidence of a decrease in the attention concen-
tration level as a result of the relaxing effect of the
second type content. General results of the change
in the efficiency indicator are given in Fig. 2.
The performed research has provided evidence
of a positive effect on the experiment participants,
which also suggests the possibility of targeted ap-
plication of this type of colour-music exposure
as an effective instrument of influence on psy-
cho-emotional, functional and other vital states.
Content developed in a specific way can both
raise working capacity (content of the first type),
and relax a person (content of the second type).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The work was carried out with state financial
support of leading universities of the Russian Fed-
eration (grant 074-U01).
REFERENCES
1. IOSHA Survey Report. URL: http://www.iosha.eu/
upload_files/IOSHA_survey_report_final.pdf (Addressing
date: 15.06.2015).
2. Sapunova N. P. Music and light – back to the future //
A collection of theses of reports of Scientific-and-practical
conference “Light design – 2014”. SPb, 2014, p. 44.
3. Kravkov S. V. Interaction of sense organs. Moscow –
Leningrad.: Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 1948,
117 p.
Fig. 2. Change in the efciency indicator after exposure
of the rst type and of the second type contents
Nikolai V. Matveev,
Ph.D. Graduated from the St.-
Petersburg National Research
University of Information
Technology, Mechanics and
Optics with a degree in Technical
Physics. A senior lecturer of the
Chair “Light technologies and
optoelectronics” of the ITMO
University
Victor T. Prokopenko,
Doctor of Engineering,
graduated from the St.-
Petersburg State Electro-
technical University “LETI
of V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)”
with a degree in “Dielectrics
and semiconductors”. At
present, he is the Head of the
Chair “Light Technologies
and Optoelectronics” of the ITMO University, the
Honoured Science Worker of the Russian Federation
Natalia P. Sapunova,
a musician and engineer,
graduated from the department
of arts of the St.-Petersburg
University of Culture and Arts
as well as from magistracy
of the St.-Petersburg National
Research University Information
Technology, Mechanics
and Optics with a degree
in “Technical physics”. At present, she is an engineer
of the Chair “Light Technologies and Optoelectronics”
of the ITMO University, the soloist of the State
Academic Russian orchestra of V.V. Andreev
Daniil A. Fridman,
an historian and engineer,
graduated from the Historical
department (with a degree
in “History of arts”) and from
the Polytechnic department
(with a degree in “Electronic
technology”) of the Uzhgorod
University. At present he is the
artistic director and director
of the Lux Aeterna theatre
