0778 Workplace Yoga Program Features and Associations With Shift Work and Sleep Among Nursing Staff

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Nursing staff are at risk for impaired sleep due to irregular schedules, long work hours, and other occupational stress. Yoga has demonstrated beneficial effects on sleep in healthy adults and patients with chronic diseases. However, yoga interventions are generally offered as 60-75-minute sessions; this long duration might not be suitable as a workplace program for nursing staff. The objective of this study is to examine workplace yoga program features and associations with shift work and sleep among nursing staff. Methods Online Qualtrics surveys were distributed among nurses and nursing assistants at a community hospital in the northeast U.S. Hypothetical workplace yoga program features were assessed including general interest, duration, frequency, timing with respect to work shift, and interest in home practice. Sleep duration and disturbances were assessed. Results Among the 541 participants (94% female; age 43±13y), over a third reported sleep ≤6hrs/day (38%) and sleep disturbances (38%), and 79% reported interest in workplace yoga. Among those reporting interest, after work (61%), 30min/session (73%), 3 sessions/week (56%), and interests in home practice (64%) were yoga features endorsed by nursing staff. Night or ≥12hr shift was associated with less interest in workplace yoga. Evening or ≥12hr shift was associated with less interest in yoga after work, while day or night shift was associated with less interest in yoga before work. Mild sleep disturbances were associated with more interest while severe disturbances were associated with less interest in yoga after work. Nursing staff with sleep≤6hrs/day reported less interest in yoga before work, but more interest in home yoga practice. Conclusion Nursing staff reported a high prevalence of short and disturbed sleep and interest in workplace yoga. Workplace yoga programs need to be designed according to nursing staff’s interest while considering the effect of shift work and sleep problems reported by nursing staff. Support Drs. Yuan Zhang and Jeanne F. Duffy were supported by NIH grant R01 AG044416.