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Psychological and psychophysiological effects of shift work
1National Institute for Psychosocial Factors and Health Department for Stress, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to sleepiness and reduced performance. Adaptation to shift work, even permanent night shifts, appears impossible, with older age and morningness exacerbating issues.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Shift work significantly impacts worker psychophysiology.
- Circadian rhythmicity and sleep-wake cycles are central to these effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychophysiological challenges of shift work.
- To understand the relationship between circadian rhythms and shift work adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of psychophysiological responses to rotating shift work schedules.
- Examination of sleep-wake patterns and performance capacity during different shifts.
Main Results:
- Night shift workers experience rapid sleep onset but premature awakening due to circadian rhythm.
- Morning shifts lead to difficulties falling asleep and impaired waking.
- Persistent sleepiness and reduced performance characterize day work under shift systems.
- No significant improvement in adjustment to shift work, including permanent night shifts, was observed over time.
Conclusions:
- Shift work inherently conflicts with natural circadian rhythms, causing persistent sleepiness and performance deficits.
- Individual factors like older age and morningness chronotype worsen adaptation challenges.
- Strategies to mitigate the negative psychophysiological impacts of shift work require further investigation.