Sleep Quality and Fatigue in Shift Work Systems
Summary
Shift work systems, encompassing rotating, fixed and non-24-hour schedules, are integral to modern industries such as healthcare, transport and maritime operations. These schedules often conflict with the endogenous circadian rhythm, leading to shorter or fragmented sleep, impaired alertness and cumulative fatigue. Disrupted sleep–wake cycles increase the risk of errors, accidents and long-term health problems including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disturbances. Countermeasures range from optimised roster design to individualised sleep hygiene and light-based interventions. Yet, the effectiveness of such strategies varies across populations and environments, highlighting the need for a systems-level approach that balances operational demands with human physiology. Understanding interactions between sleep duration, sleep quality and waking performance under different shift patterns is critical for improving safety and well-being in 24-hour industries worldwide.
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Sleep Quality and Fatigue in Shift Work Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Circadian rhythm: Endogenous 24-hour biological cycle regulating sleep–wake timing and physiological processes.
Sleep efficiency: Ratio of total sleep time to time spent in bed, expressed as a percentage of restful sleep.
Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT): Objective assessment of sustained attention and reaction time sensitive to sleep loss.
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA): Repeated, real-time sampling of behaviours and experiences in naturalistic settings to reduce recall bias.
References
- The sleep, circadian, and cognitive performance consequences of watchkeeping schedules in submariners: A scoping review. Sleep Medicine Reviews (2023).
- A Survey Exploring How Watch Officers Manage Effects of Sleep Restrictions during Maritime Navigation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
- Application of Ecological Momentary Assessment in Studies with Rotation Workers in the Resources and Related Construction Sectors: A Systematic Review. Safety and Health at Work (2022).
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