How do dynamic and time-dependent indoor temperature patterns impact on the health of office based workers? – A scoping review

Existing research on thermal indoor environments has focused on thermal comfort under tightly controlled temperature conditions. Office workers, who constitute a large segment of the working population, are exposed to these conditions on a daily basis. However, the validity of thermal comfort as an indicator and the effects of constant temperature exposure on the workers' long-term health are disputed. Driven by the need to comply with greenhouse gas emissions targets, there is increasing emphasis on researching energy-efficient dynamic temperature settings. Prior to designing novel thermal indoor concepts, it is crucial to evaluate their impact on the health and well-being of workers, and the relationship between dynamic thermal conditions and their health effects should be investigated. The present paper provides an overview of the progression and scope of research on human physiological responses to time-dependent and dynamic temperature exposure in indoor office environments with a focus on the effects on the health and well-being of workers. The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the methodologies developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) updated in 2020. The primary aim was to identify research gaps and gain recommendations for future research by collecting existing evidence. Databases searched were PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, MDPI, Taylor and Francis, CINAHL, and Embase. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria from 4622 studies screened. Due to inconsistent experimental designs and research foci across these studies, relationships between dynamic temperature, temporal effects and health outcomes could not be established. Nevertheless, the trend seems to indicate that dynamic temperature settings are beneficial for health. To facilitate further research and future development of a dynamic temperature pattern that enhances long-term health, six areas requiring investigation were identified, and recommendations were provided.