An evening light intervention reduces fatigue and errors during night shifts: A randomized controlled trial
Mariève Cyr1, Despina Z Artenie2, Alain Al Bikaii3
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Sleep Health
|April 20, 2023
Summary
Evening light exposure significantly reduced errors and fatigue in night-shift nurses. This strategy offers a feasible way to improve well-being and performance for shift workers.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to sleep issues and cognitive deficits.
- Bright light during night shifts can help but is often impractical.
- Alternative strategies are needed to mitigate shift work's negative effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of evening light exposure before night shifts.
- To determine if this intervention improves fatigue, work performance, mood, and sleep quality.
- To compare evening light exposure with a dietary intervention for shift workers.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 57 nurses on rotating shift schedules.
- Experimental group received evening light exposure and morning light avoidance.
- Control group received dietary advice to improve alertness.
- Participants completed daily measures of fatigue, errors, sleepiness, mood, and sleep for 30 days.
Main Results:
- The evening light intervention reduced work-related errors by 67%, compared to 5% in the control group.
- This error reduction was partly mediated by decreased fatigue in the experimental group.
- Both groups experienced reduced fatigue and sleepiness, with a slight increase in sleep duration.
Conclusions:
- Evening light exposure is a feasible and effective strategy for reducing fatigue and errors in night-shift workers.
- This intervention shows promise for improving the health and performance of individuals in demanding work schedules.
- Further research can explore optimizing light-based interventions for circadian rhythm management.
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