A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Study of a Multi-Component Lighting Intervention for Hospital Shift Workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Human factors engineering
• Chronobiology

Background:

• Shiftwork poses significant health risks to hospital nurses.
• Disruptions in circadian rhythms and sleep patterns are common among shift workers.
• Existing interventions may not adequately address the multifaceted challenges of shiftwork.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a multi-component lighting intervention for hospital nurses.
• To assess the impact of lighting interventions on on-shift performance, sleep quality, and well-being.
• To explore the acceptability and perceived benefits of the intervention among nurses.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design was employed.
• The intervention included 6500 K architectural lighting and optional behavioral components (lightbox, blue-blocking glasses, eyemasks).
• Instruction on appropriate timing for behavioral component usage was provided.

Main Results:

• Day workers showed selective improvements in on-shift performance, sleep quality, and reduced caffeine consumption (p < 0.05).
• Night workers reported improved off-shift sleepiness scores (p < 0.05).
• Both groups reported enhanced quality of life (p < 0.05), with high intervention acceptability.

Conclusions:

• A multi-component lighting intervention can effectively mitigate some negative effects of shiftwork in hospital nurses.
• The intervention demonstrated positive impacts on performance, sleep, and quality of life.
• The high acceptability suggests feasibility for broader implementation in healthcare settings.