Influence of rotating shift work on visual reaction time and visual evoked potential

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Chronobiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Modern lifestyles disrupt circadian rhythms, particularly in rotating night shift workers.
• Night shifts can extend reaction times and alter pupil size, potentially impacting visual evoked potentials.
• Circadian rhythm alterations are a growing concern in occupational health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare visual reaction time and visual evoked potential (VEP) between rotating night shift workers and day workers.
• To investigate the correlation between altered visual reaction time and VEP changes in night shift workers.
• To provide insights into the neurophysiological effects of shift work.

Main Methods:

• Study involved 40 rotating night shift male workers (6+ months) and 40 day workers (25-35 years old).
• Visual reaction time and VEP parameters (latency and amplitude) were recorded for all participants.
• Statistical analysis included Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Student's unpaired t test.

Main Results:

• VEP latencies and amplitude were normally distributed.
• Night shift workers exhibited significantly prolonged visual reaction time and VEP latencies compared to day workers (p<0.05).
• No significant difference was found in VEP amplitude between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Rotating night shift work leads to prolonged visual reaction time and VEP abnormalities due to circadian rhythm disruption.
• Bright Light Therapy is suggested as a beneficial intervention for night shift workers.
• Findings highlight the impact of circadian rhythm alteration on visual processing.