Systematic review of the relationship between quick returns in rotating shift work and health-related outcomes

Abstract

Modern societies are dependent on people working shifts. This study systematically reviews literature on the consequences of quick returns (11.0 hours or less between two shifts). Quick returns have detrimental effects on acute health problems. However, the evidence regarding effects on chronic health is inconclusive.

Ergonomics at 60: mature, thriving and still leading the way

“…most frequently cited papers from Ergonomics published in 2015-2016 in descending order of citation frequency for each of these years (data from scopus®, December 2016). Young et al (2015) state of science: mental workload in ergonomics Leider et al (2015) Effects of job rotation on musculoskeletal complaints and related work exposures: a systematic literature review read et al (2015) Designing sociotechnical systems with cognitive work analysis: putting theory back into practice Lee, Kang, and shin (2015) Head flexion angle while using a smartphone carayon et al (2015) Advancing a sociotechnical systems approach to workplace safety -developing the conceptual framework Vedaa et al (2016) systematic review of the relationship between quick returns in rotating shift work and health-related outcomes Xie et al (2016) A comparison of muscle activity in using touchscreen smartphone among young people with and without chronic neckshoulder pain coenen et al (2016) Towards exposure limits for working postures and musculoskeletal symptoms -a prospective cohort study reimer et al (2016) multi-modal demands of a smartphone used to place calls and enter addresses during highway driving relative to two embedded systems La Delfa and Potvin (2016) multidirectional manual arm strength and its relationship with resultant shoulder moment and arm posture…”

Short rest between shift intervals increases the risk of sick leave: a prospective registry study

“…However, some workers are exempted from this requirement through local agreements in certain European countries. Thus, <11 hours of rest between shifts is common among healthcare workers in some countries,4 5 and these short rests between shifts are referred to as quick returns 6. Quick returns occur in rotating shifts schedules, and primarily in changeovers from evening to day/morning shifts 6.…”

“…Thus, <11 hours of rest between shifts is common among healthcare workers in some countries,4 5 and these short rests between shifts are referred to as quick returns 6. Quick returns occur in rotating shifts schedules, and primarily in changeovers from evening to day/morning shifts 6. However, quick returns can also transpire in the changeovers from night to evening shifts and from day to night shifts, but these are less common 6…”

“…Studies have shown that quick returns have negative effects on sleep duration, sleepiness and fatigue; but it is less clear whether quick returns affects the occurrence of diseases and the ability to work 6. A commonly used measure of health is sick leave, which refers to absence from work that is attributed to sickness 7.…”

Night-shift work is associated with increased pain perception

“…Prospective studies have found that adverse work schedules, including night-shift work (NSW), increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain after several months (1,2). Shift workers often report lack of restorative sleep, reduced sleep duration, and poor sleep quality (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Prospective studies indicate that sleep problems are associated with an increased risk for longlasting musculoskeletal pain (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) and experimental studies suggest that even a relatively modest restriction or disturbance of sleep increases pain sensitivity.…”