TY - JOUR
T1 - Sleep duration and quality in permanent night work
T2 - an observational field study
AU - Nabe-Nielsen, Kirsten
AU - Larsen, Ann Dyreborg
AU - Arup, Anne Emily Saunte Fiehn
AU - Sallerup, Mette
AU - Schlünssen, Vivi
AU - Garde, Anne Helene
AU - Hansen, Åse Marie
N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - PURPOSE: Permanent night workers conceivably show better adaptation of circadian rhythms to night work than shift workers and therefore better possibilities of obtaining sufficient sleep of good quality after night shifts. We investigated the effect of night shifts including number of consecutive shifts on sleep among self-selected permanent night workers, and studied if the effect of night shifts differed between morning and evening types and compared with 3-shift workers.METHODS: The study population included 90 permanent night workers followed for 14 days (warehouse workers, 1228 observation days, 80% males). For comparison, we included 70 3-shift workers followed for 26 days (police officers, 1774 observation days, 100% men). Total sleep time (TST), primary sleep duration (PSD), and sleep efficiency were assessed by actigraphy. Measures of sleep quality and diurnal type were self-reported.RESULTS: Among permanent night workers, TST, PSD, difficulties falling asleep, disturbed sleep, and the number of awakenings decreased after night shifts compared with days without night work. Sleep efficiency, difficulties awakening, and non-refreshing sleep increased. More consecutive night shifts were associated with shorter TST and PSD. Sleep outcomes did not differ by diurnal type. Permanent night workers had fewer awakenings after night shifts than 3-shift workers, but no other differences were observed.CONCLUSION: This study does not provide evidence that supports recommendation of permanent night work to reduce adverse effects of night shifts on sleep. A limited number of consecutive night shifts is recommended to reduce accumulation of sleep debt.
AB - PURPOSE: Permanent night workers conceivably show better adaptation of circadian rhythms to night work than shift workers and therefore better possibilities of obtaining sufficient sleep of good quality after night shifts. We investigated the effect of night shifts including number of consecutive shifts on sleep among self-selected permanent night workers, and studied if the effect of night shifts differed between morning and evening types and compared with 3-shift workers.METHODS: The study population included 90 permanent night workers followed for 14 days (warehouse workers, 1228 observation days, 80% males). For comparison, we included 70 3-shift workers followed for 26 days (police officers, 1774 observation days, 100% men). Total sleep time (TST), primary sleep duration (PSD), and sleep efficiency were assessed by actigraphy. Measures of sleep quality and diurnal type were self-reported.RESULTS: Among permanent night workers, TST, PSD, difficulties falling asleep, disturbed sleep, and the number of awakenings decreased after night shifts compared with days without night work. Sleep efficiency, difficulties awakening, and non-refreshing sleep increased. More consecutive night shifts were associated with shorter TST and PSD. Sleep outcomes did not differ by diurnal type. Permanent night workers had fewer awakenings after night shifts than 3-shift workers, but no other differences were observed.CONCLUSION: This study does not provide evidence that supports recommendation of permanent night work to reduce adverse effects of night shifts on sleep. A limited number of consecutive night shifts is recommended to reduce accumulation of sleep debt.
U2 - 10.1007/s00420-024-02080-0
DO - 10.1007/s00420-024-02080-0
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38907030
VL - 97
SP - 733
EP - 743
JO - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
JF - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
SN - 0340-0131
ER -