[Influence of rescue service personnel's shift work on psycho-physical parameters]

The aim of the investigation was to receive information about the interaction between psycho-physical parameters as a function of the strain by shift work for rescue service personnel.

We examined 26 persons, who are active in the rescue service. The investigations always took place in the morning between 7.00 and 8.00 o'clock, either after 3 days off (n = 26), after 3 night shifts (n = 14) or in the morning of the third day shift (n = 14). The investigations included measurements of blood pressure, heart rate variability, and salivary cortisol. Additionally, standardized questionnaires (WHO-5, EBF 72/3) were used.

A significant rise of the quotient LF/HF--as indicator for a sympathetic dominance--could be proven by means of a simple three minute arithmetic task at every investigation (after 3 days off from 0.81 to 2.30; p < 0.001). By means of the EBF a clear impairment could be demonstrated after 3 night shifts. Fatigue and somatic complaints were the main outcomes. In our study a more impaired well-being was associated with a more pronounced decrease of salivary cortisol (r = 0.538; p < 0.05) as well as lower blood pressure values (r = 0.547; p < 0.05), and a lower LF/HF quotient (r = 0.836; p < 0.01), indicating lower sympathetic and/or increased vagale activation, after three night shifts.

After three night shifts a lower sympathetic activation seems to negatively affect the well-being. Due to the provable specific strain night- and shift-workers should be a priority target group for prevention and workplace health promotion.