The Influence of Shift Work on the Quality of Sleep and Executive Functions

Abstract

Shift work is an inconsistent and atypical work schedule. This study aimed to investigate the influence of shift work on the Quality of Sleep (QOS) and Executive Functions (EF). Thirty shift workers and thirty day workers first completed a demographic questionnaire. They then were tested using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and EF tests, including the Corsi Block-Tapping Task (CBTT), Berg's Card Sorting Task (BCST), and the Continuous Performance Task (CPT). Results were subjected to non-parametric Chi-Square Tests, the Mann-Whitney U Test, and Independent T-Tests. Shift workers had significantly poorer sleep quality than day workers, which was shown in PSQI global scale (p = 0.001), sleep duration (p = 0.042), habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.021), and sleep disturbance (p =0.021). Concerning EF tests, shift workers performed significantly poorer on CBTT (p = 0.019) and BCST (p =0.015, 0.047) compared with day workers. Significant differences were also observed between shift workers and day workers in terms of variables of omission errors (p = 0.037) and commission errors (p = 0.041) on CPT, but no significant difference was found between shift workers and day workers in reaction time (p = 0.561). Shift work impaired EF. These findings are related to shift workers' poorer sleep and its detrimental effects on areas of the brain, which are critical for EF, such as the prefrontal area. Our results suggest the evaluation and implication of practices and policies to assuage the consequences of working in shifts.

Comparison of executive functions in individuals with high and low levels of schizotypal trait

“… Walker et al (2010) obtained a test–retest reliability of 0.73 for CBTT. The Persian version of the CBBT yielded reliable results in previous studies with Iranian samples (e.g., Elhami Athar et al, 2020 ).…”

“…These studies showed that frontal lobe dysfunctions in individuals with the diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder might explain why they performed poorer in WSCT. The abilities to conceptualization, mental abstraction, and flexible thinking are parts of complex cognitive processes that are related to the prefrontal cortex, and all these abilities determine the performance in WSCT (e.g., Elhami Athar et al, 2020 ). Therefore, the reduction in the prefrontal cortex activity in individuals with higher schizotypal trait levels could reduce their performance in tasks demanding complex cognitive processes ( Thomas et al, 2003 ).…”

The Corsi Blocks Task: Variations and coding with jsPsych

“…Whereas the traditional version used black or brown wooden blocks, the computerized versions use squares of a variety of colors. While in some articles, the color is not mentioned (Stoffers, Berendse, Deijen, & Wolters, 2003;Visser et al, 2019;Athar, Atef-Vahid, & Ashouri, 2020), it is mentioned in most others. Some articles used blue squares that change to red when they are highlighted and when they are selected by the participant (Kennedy et al, 2020;Kennedy et al, 2017;Kennedy, Wightman, Khan, Grothe, & Jackson, 2018).…”

“…Most of them had a maximum sequence length of nine. Others had a maximum length of eight, seven, or six (e.g., Athar et al, 2020;Smyth & Scholey, 1994; The Quantitative Methods for Psychology…”

Preventive Effects of a Single Bout of Exercise on Memory and Attention following One Night of Sleep Loss in Sports Students: Results of a Randomized Controlled Study

“…Nurses did not differ in accuracy and maintained a high level of attention among the three working shifts, suggesting a highly developed sense of responsibility in our nurses. A recent study showed that shift work, compared to day work, impairs executive functions, is directly related to shift workers’ poorer sleep and has detrimental effects on critical areas of the brain [ 14 ]. Still there was no difference in reaction time.…”