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Updated: May 8, 2026
08:36
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Do circadian preferences influence the sleep patterns of night shift drivers?
Fernanda V Narciso1, Andrea M Esteves, Luciana Oliveira e Silva
1Centro Multidisciplinar em Sonolência e Acidentes/Associação Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa, São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
Morning preference drivers on fixed night shifts experienced longer REM sleep latency and less REM sleep. Evaluating circadian preferences is crucial for night shift worker well-being.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Chronobiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Fixed night work schedules are common for professional drivers.
- Individual circadian preferences (morningness-eveningness) may influence adaptation to night work.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for driver health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of individual circadian preferences on sleep patterns in professional drivers with fixed night work schedules.
- To analyze how morningness-eveningness preference affects sleep architecture in this population.
Main Methods:
- 123 professional bus drivers (32 indifferent, 91 morning preference) underwent polysomnography post-shift.
- The Horne and Östberg questionnaire assessed morningness-eveningness preference.
- Sociodemographic and health data were collected via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Morning preference drivers exhibited significantly increased sleep latency.
- Morning preference drivers showed a 5% reduction in REM sleep percentage.
- These findings indicate a significant effect of work time on sleep architecture.
Conclusions:
- Individual morning preference significantly impacts sleep patterns in night shift drivers, leading to longer REM sleep latency and reduced REM sleep.
- It is essential to consider individual health aspects, sleep quality, and work organization to promote the health and well-being of night shift workers.
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