Work that Disrupts the Diurnal

Rhythm
(Text Chapter 8)

Introduction via a few videos

Basic anatomical considerations
Importance of Sleep
Effects of sleep on workers

A Few Videos
One persons perspective
Shift Work Sleep Disorders
Can the night shift make you sick?

Diurnal Rhythm
Many physiological functions follow a daily pattern of
variability
The pattern of variability looks like a sine wave that
repeats about every 24 hours
Timing of patterns differ across physiological processes
Cortosol peaks in morning, body temperature peaks in afternoon

Night work can slightly impact but not reverse the diurnal
rhythm
Diurnal rhythms can vary across people (e.g., morning vs.
night person)

Anatomy
Hypothalmus contains the biological clock
that controls diurnal rhythms
The cells of the clock generally run on a 24
hour cycle
Light information provided by the eyes can
be used to adjust clock settings

Measuring Diurnal Rhythm

Temperature measured with a rectal
thermometer to provide a proxy for metabolism
Melatonin measured by saliva samples (and
sometimes urine or blood), which is highest in
early night time to evaluate clock timings
Melatonin is affected by light

Measurements can be affected by work activity

Physical work demands, lighting at work at night,

Sleep

An altered state, that includes reduced metabolism

Physiological measurements can be recorded by
methods such as electroencephalogram (EEG) and
electromyography (EMG)
Sleeps stages are cyclic, with 4-5 cycles per night
Sleep is a basic necessity of function and health
Minimum requirements are about 7 hours, with
deep sleep being key

Sleep Disturbances
75% of shift workers experience some
problems with sleep
Length of sleep is affected by bed time
late evening early morning generally the best

Many night workers supplement sleep with a

nap
Adjustments to the biological clock are affected
by daylight

Effects and Measures of Wakefulness

Subjective feeling of sleepiness
Can be measured by self report scales of
sleepiness, such a s the Karolinska
Sleepiness Scale (1 to 9)
Also sleep readiness can be measured
physiologically
Is affected by length of time awake

Effects of Lack of Sleep on Performance

and Safety
Difficult to identify
Night work associated with a reduction in
reaction times and motor control tests
Effects on transportation safety appear
fairly clear

Health Effects due to Lack of

Sleep
Gastrointestinal problems
Changes in digestion performance
Diet

Coronal Heart Disease

Individual differences on health and also
performance