A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics
Abstract Paramedics working on a rotating shift are at an increased risk of developing chronic health issues due to continuous circadian rhythm disruption. The acute effects of shift rotation and objectively measured sleep have rarely been reported in paramedics. This study investigated the relation...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79093-5 |
| _version_ | 1818429180152381440 |
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| author | Wahaj Anwar A. Khan Melinda L. Jackson Gerard A. Kennedy Russell Conduit |
| author_facet | Wahaj Anwar A. Khan Melinda L. Jackson Gerard A. Kennedy Russell Conduit |
| author_sort | Wahaj Anwar A. Khan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Paramedics working on a rotating shift are at an increased risk of developing chronic health issues due to continuous circadian rhythm disruption. The acute effects of shift rotation and objectively measured sleep have rarely been reported in paramedics. This study investigated the relationships between a rotating shift schedule and sleep (using actigraphy), subjective reports of sleepiness, mood, stress and fatigue. Galvanic Skin Response, energy expenditure and physical activity (BodyMedia SenseWear Armband) were also recorded across the shift schedule. Paramedics were monitored for a period of eight consecutive days across pre-shift, day shift, night shift, and 2 days off. Fifteen paramedics (M age = 39.5 and SD = 10.7 years) who worked rotational shifts experienced sleep restriction during night shift compared to pre-shift, day shift and days off (p < 0.001). Night shift was also associated with higher levels of stress (p < 0.05), fatigue (p < 0.05), and sleepiness (p < 0.05). One day off was related to a return to pre-shift functioning. Such shift-related issues have a compounding negative impact on an already stressful occupation with high rates of physical and mental health issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate methods to reduce rotating shift burden on the health of paramedics. This could be through further research aimed at providing recommendations for shift work schedules with sufficient periods for sleep and recovery from stress. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:13:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5df76c5115e74772823813e205c3a49d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:13:25Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-5df76c5115e74772823813e205c3a49d2022-12-21T22:56:28ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-01-0111111110.1038/s41598-020-79093-5A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedicsWahaj Anwar A. Khan0Melinda L. Jackson1Gerard A. Kennedy2Russell Conduit3Occupational Health Department, Faculty of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityTurner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityInstitute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin HealthInstitute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin HealthAbstract Paramedics working on a rotating shift are at an increased risk of developing chronic health issues due to continuous circadian rhythm disruption. The acute effects of shift rotation and objectively measured sleep have rarely been reported in paramedics. This study investigated the relationships between a rotating shift schedule and sleep (using actigraphy), subjective reports of sleepiness, mood, stress and fatigue. Galvanic Skin Response, energy expenditure and physical activity (BodyMedia SenseWear Armband) were also recorded across the shift schedule. Paramedics were monitored for a period of eight consecutive days across pre-shift, day shift, night shift, and 2 days off. Fifteen paramedics (M age = 39.5 and SD = 10.7 years) who worked rotational shifts experienced sleep restriction during night shift compared to pre-shift, day shift and days off (p < 0.001). Night shift was also associated with higher levels of stress (p < 0.05), fatigue (p < 0.05), and sleepiness (p < 0.05). One day off was related to a return to pre-shift functioning. Such shift-related issues have a compounding negative impact on an already stressful occupation with high rates of physical and mental health issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate methods to reduce rotating shift burden on the health of paramedics. This could be through further research aimed at providing recommendations for shift work schedules with sufficient periods for sleep and recovery from stress.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79093-5 |
| spellingShingle | Wahaj Anwar A. Khan Melinda L. Jackson Gerard A. Kennedy Russell Conduit A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics Scientific Reports |
| title | A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics |
| title_full | A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics |
| title_fullStr | A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics |
| title_full_unstemmed | A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics |
| title_short | A field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts, sleep, mental health and physical activity of Australian paramedics |
| title_sort | field investigation of the relationship between rotating shifts sleep mental health and physical activity of australian paramedics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79093-5 |
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