Effects of extended digital screen exposure on sleep patterns and cognitive functioning of chronotypes in...

The unprecedented proliferation of digital devices in contemporary workplace settings has fundamentally transformed professional operations, necessitating systematic examination of their wide-ranging implications on physiological functions and occupational performance.

To assess the relationship between Screen Exposure Time (SET), chronotype, sleep parameters, and cognitive functions among office employees.

The study examined 200 male office workers (aged 25-60 years) from three corporate sectors in West Bengal. Data collection was random and anonymous. Reduced Morningness Eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ), Munich Chronotype Questionnaire Scale (MCTQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were utilized for determination of chronotype and sleep behaviour alongside assessment of cognitive function was implemented via standardized tests, specifically the ruler drop test to measure reaction time and the single letter cancellation test to evaluate attention and visuospatial processing.

Extended SET demonstrated strong correlations with negative sleep parameters, including increased sleep latency (r = 0.836 workdays; r = 0.920 work-free days), extended sleep inertia (r = 0.811 workdays; r = 0.883 work-free days), decreased sleep duration (r = 0.874 workdays; r = 0.903 work-free days), and heightened daytime sleepiness (r = 0.904). Chronotype moderated these effects, with evening types showing greater susceptibility to screen-related sleep disruptions. Cognitive assessments indicated that increased SET correlated with impaired reaction time and attention, particularly in evening types during morning assessments.

The findings underscore the necessity of considering both technological exposures and individual circadian differences when optimizing workplace health. The differential vulnerability based on chronotype suggests that personalized approaches to digital well-being and screen management are essential for maximizing employee health and performance in contemporary screen-dependent work environments.