Associations between number of consecutive night shifts and impairment of neurobehavioral performance during a subsequent simulated night shift

作者：Magee Michelle; Stetten Tracey L; Ferguson Sally A; Grunstein Ronald R; Anderson Clare; Kennaway David J; Lockley Steven W; Rajaratnam Shantha M W^*

来源：Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health, 2016, 42(3): 217-227.

DOI：10.5271/sjweh.3560

• circadian rhythm
• circadian phase
• shift work
• shift worker
• sleep
• sustained attention

Objective This study aimed to investigate sleep and circadian phase in the relationships between neurobehavioral performance and the number of consecutive shifts worked.
Methods Thirty-four shift workers [20 men, mean age 31.8 (SD 10.9) years] worked 2-7 consecutive night shifts immediately prior to a laboratory -based, simulated night shift. For 7 days prior, participants worked their usual shift sequence, and sleep was assessed with logs and actigraphy. Participants completed a 10 -minute auditory psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) at the start (similar to 21:00 hours) and end (similar to 07:00 hours) of the simulated night shift. Mean reaction times (RT), number of lapses and RT distribution was compared between those who worked 2-3 consecutive night shifts versus those who worked 4-7 shifts.
Results Following 4-7 shifts, night shift workers had significantly longer mean RT at the start and end of shift, compared to those who worked 2-3 shifts. The slowest and fastest 10% RT were significantly slower at the start, but not end, of shift among participants who worked 4-7 nights. Those working 4-7 nights also demonstrated a broader RT distribution at the start and end of shift and had significantly slower RT based on cumulative distribution analysis (5th, 25'h, 50th, 75th percentiles at the start of shift; 75th percentile at the end of shift). No group differences in sleep parameters were found for 7 days and 24 hours prior to the simulated night shift.
Conclusion A greater number of consecutive night shifts has a negative impact on neurobehavioral performance, likely due to cognitive slowing.

• 出版日期2016-5
• 单位河北医科大学