Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...

Management of Insomnia

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:

Insomnia

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Reply to "The question of whether narcolepsy increases mortality should be answered based on reliable studies".

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine·2026

Same author

Reply to "Veteran status as an underappreciated confound in narcolepsy mortality".

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine·2026

Same author

Mortality in narcolepsy and other sleep clinic patients: a 25-year propensity-matched VA cohort study.

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine·2026

Same author

Management of sleep apnea in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sleep medicine·2020

Same author

Evaluation of the Sleepy Patient: Differential Diagnosis.

Sleep medicine clinics·2020

Same author

Fluoride exposure and sleep patterns among older adolescents in the United States: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2015-2016.

Environmental health : a global access science source·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

Understanding and diagnosing shift work disorder.

Michael Thorpy¹

¹Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. thorpy@aecom.yu.edu

Postgraduate Medicine

|September 10, 2011

Summary

Shift work disorder (SWD) affects 16% of workers, causing sleep problems and impacting health. Treatments including behavioral changes and FDA-approved medications can improve sleep and quality of life for affected individuals.

Area of Science:

Occupational Health
Sleep Medicine
Circadian Biology

Background:

16% of industrialized workers are shift workers, susceptible to Shift Work Disorder (SWD).
SWD is an underdiagnosed circadian rhythm sleep disorder causing sleep initiation/termination difficulties and daytime sleepiness.
SWD negatively impacts productivity, safety, quality of life, and overall health.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the diagnosis and treatment of Shift Work Disorder (SWD).
To highlight the underdiagnosed nature and adverse effects of SWD.
To discuss current and emerging therapeutic options for SWD.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on shift work, SWD diagnosis, and treatments.
Analysis of validated tools for assessing sleepiness (e.g., Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Multiple Sleep Latency Test).

More Related Videos

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Published on: June 13, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Published on: June 13, 2025

Examination of diagnostic criteria from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-2).

Main Results:

SWD is associated with significant decreases in productivity, safety, and quality of life.
Existing diagnostic criteria for SWD have not been updated to include newer therapeutic agents.
Behavioral interventions (exercise, light exposure) and pharmacotherapies (melatonin, caffeine, modafinil, armodafinil) show clinical benefits.

Conclusions:

Shift Work Disorder is a prevalent condition with serious consequences that requires better diagnosis and treatment.
Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies, including FDA-approved wakefulness-promoting agents, can effectively manage SWD symptoms.
Effective management of SWD can lead to significant improvements in patient sleep, performance, and overall quality of life.