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Time-of-day effects on speed and accuracy performance during simulated shiftwork
June J Pilcher1, Jennifer B Grandits1, Margaret J Wilkes1
1Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
Chronobiology International
|November 20, 2023
Summary
Shift work negatively impacts performance, with night shifts causing worse outcomes than day shifts. Cognitive strategies, alongside circadian rhythms and sleep, are crucial for understanding shift work effects on safety and productivity.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Performance on tasks requiring speed and accuracy varies across the 24-hour day, impacting shift workers and organizations.
- Shift work is common in many industries, often leading to performance decrements due to circadian rhythm disruptions and sleep deprivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess performance on vigilance and math tasks during simulated night and day shifts.
- To investigate the influence of circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation, and cognitive strategies on shift work performance.
Main Methods:
- Two simulated work shifts (night and day) were employed with participants performing vigilance and math tasks.
- Performance was measured by speed, accuracy, and inverse efficiency scores, with cognitive strategies also recorded.
Main Results:
- Performance was significantly worse during the night shift compared to the day shift.
- Inverse efficiency scores effectively captured the impact of circadian rhythms on performance during shift work.
- Participants utilized cognitive strategies like speed-accuracy tradeoffs and varied regulatory foci based on time-of-day, shift type, and sleep status.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive strategies play a significant role in how individuals adapt to shift work, influencing performance and safety.
- Researchers and organizations must consider both physiological factors (circadian rhythms, sleep) and cognitive strategies when evaluating the effects of shift work.
