Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of shift work on the psychomotor and postural performance of night workers. The study included 20 polysomnography technicians working schedule of 12-h night shift by 36-h off. On the first day of protocol, the body mass and height were measured, and an actigraph was placed on the wrist of each participant. On the second day of protocol, sleepiness by Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, postural control by force platform (30 seconds) and psychomotor performance by Psychomotor Vigilance Task (10 minutes) were measured before and after 12-h night work. Results showed that after 12-h night work, sleepiness increased by 59% (p<0.001), postural control variables increased by 9% (p = 0.048), and 14% (p = 0.006). Mean reaction time, and the number of lapses of attention increased by 13% (p = 0.006) and 425% (p = 0.015), respectively, but the mean reciprocal reaction time decreased by 7%. In addition, there were correlations between sleepiness and postural control variables with opened eyes (r = 0.616, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.361–0.815; r = 0.538; 95% CI = 0.280–0.748) and closed eyes (r = 0.557; 95% CI = 0.304–0.764, r = 0497; 95% CI = 0.325–0.715) and a pronounced effect of sleepiness on postural sway (R2 = 0.393; 95% CI = 0.001–0.03). Therefore, 12-h night work system and sleepiness showed a negative impact in postural and psychomotor vigilance performance of night workers. As unexpected, the force platform was feasibility to detect sleepiness in this population, underscoring the possibility of using this method in the workplace to prevent occupational injuries and accidents.
Highlights
Night workers are constantly affected by sleepiness and decreased attention and vigilance during and after the night work
A decreased by 7% in mean RRT was observed, but the mean reaction time (mean RT), and the mean number of lapses of attention increased by 13% and 425%, respectively after 12-h night work
The mean postural sway increased with eyes opened (MSA(a-p) = 9%; total sway displacement (TSD) = 14%) and eyes closed (TSD = 15%) after 12-h night work (Table 1)
Summary
Night workers are constantly affected by sleepiness and decreased attention and vigilance during and after the night work. Studies have shown that long-term nighttime sleep deprivation and monotonous and prolonged tasks [1, 2] impair the performance tasks that require attention and memory [3, 4], slow the reaction time [5], promote postural instability [4, 6], and increase subjective sleepiness [7]. Sleepiness, sustained wakefulness, total sleep time (TST) of less than 5 to 7 hours, and night work impair overall health, performance during and after. Relevant statistics of occupational and traffic accidents due to sleepiness, night work, and sleep deprivation [9] have concerned researchers and professionals from various sectors. Sleepiness, and risk of occupational injuries and accidents have been associated with long working hours (40 hours week), 2 consecutive working hours without rest intervals, night work per se, and shift of 8 hours [10, 11]
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