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Updated: Jun 7, 2025
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Comparison of 45-min nap versus no-nap during simulated night shift work on endothelial function: a randomized
P Daniel Patterson1,2, Cassie J Hilditch3, Sarah E Martin4
1Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsburgh, 15261, USA. pdp3@pitt.edu.
Background:
Night shift workers face increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to non-shift workers. Evidence supports on-shift napping and regular non-invasive monitoring of endothelial function for risk mitigation, yet neither strategy is widely used.
Methods:
We evaluated the feasibility of non-invasive assessment of peripheral arterial tone (PAT) to assess the effect of napping during simulated night shift work on endothelial function. We used a single-site, randomized crossover trial of simulated night shift work with a 45-min nap condition versus a control, no-nap condition (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05436951).
Results:
The primary outcome was the number of participants with ≥ 70% of endothelial function assessments. Secondary outcomes included mean reactive hyperemia index (RHI), BP, and cognitive performance with the brief psychomotor vigilance task (PVT-B). Of the 10 consented, 9 completed both conditions. All participants exceeded feasibility benchmarks. Mean RHI did not differ by nap condition, and the delta from pre- to post measure did not differ (difference in delta = - 0.26, 95% CI - 1.09, 0.58). Hourly PVT-B assessments from 19:00 to 07:00 h did not differ by nap condition. Compared to pre-nap measures, cognitive performance on the PVT-B was poorest at + 0 min post-nap.
Conclusion:
Our findings can inform larger studies evaluating the effects of night shift work and napping on endothelial function.
Trial Registrations:
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05436951, registered on June 23, 2022).
