Knowledge Tree
shift work
Also known as: shift workers
Facts (35)
Sources
Extent and Health Consequences of Chronic Sleep Loss and ... - NCBI ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 14 facts
referenceShift work is governed by specific basic principles, as outlined by Monk in the 2005 edition of Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.
claimHarma, Tenkanen, Sjoblom, Alikoski, and Heinsalmi studied the combined effects of shift work and lifestyle on the prevalence of insomnia, sleep deprivation, and daytime sleepiness.
referenceThe National Sleep Foundation published guidance on coping strategies for shift work.
measurementApproximately 20 percent of workers are engaged in some form of shift work, according to Monk (2005).
claimRisk factors for insomnia include a family history of insomnia (Dauvilliers et al., 2005), stressful lifestyles, medical and psychiatric disorders, and shift work (Edinger and Means, 2005).
claimThe causes of sleep loss are multifactorial and categorized into two overlapping groups: lifestyle/occupational factors (such as shift work, prolonged working hours, jet lag, and irregular sleep schedules) and sleep disorders (such as insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disorders).
referenceMonk (2005) outlined the basic principles of shift work in the text 'Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine'.
claimShift work is defined as regular employment occurring outside of the standard daytime working hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
claimThe increase in sleep loss is driven largely by societal changes, including a greater reliance on longer work hours, shift work, and increased access to television and the Internet.
measurementApproximately 20 percent of workers are engaged in some form of shift work.
claimThe term 'shift work' is defined as regular employment occurring outside of the standard daytime working hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
measurementApproximately 20 percent of workers engage in some form of shift work, with a growing number of night shift workers suffering from chronic sleep loss and disruption of circadian rhythms.
claimHarma et al. (1998) studied the combined effects of shift work and lifestyle on the prevalence of insomnia, sleep deprivation, and daytime sleepiness.
claimHarma M., Tenkanen L., Sjoblom T., Alikoski T., and Heinsalmi P. (1998) studied the combined effects of shift work and lifestyle on the prevalence of insomnia, sleep deprivation, and daytime sleepiness in the 'Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health'.
Sleep Across the Lifespan: A Neurobehavioral Perspective link.springer.com Feb 5, 2025 8 facts
referenceSack RL, Auckley D, Auger RR, Carskadon MA, Kenneth P, Wright J, Vitiello MV, et al. published a review in 2007 titled 'Circadian Rhythm Sleep disorders: part I, Basic principles, Shift Work and Jet lag Disorders' in the journal Sleep.
claimShift work and irregular work hours contribute to poor sleep and increased health risks.
claimOlder adults, including those outside of care homes, experience greater misalignment with light-dark cycles and have more difficulty adjusting to jetlag or shift work compared to younger populations.
claimProlonged shift-work disrupts sleep and increases the risk of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic conditions.
referenceSooriyaarachchi et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on shift work and the risk for metabolic syndrome among healthcare workers, published in Obesity Reviews.
referenceKosmadopoulos et al. (2020) studied the effects of shift work on the eating behavior of police officers on patrol, published in Nutrients.
referenceWang et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of observational studies on the association between shift work or long working hours and metabolic syndrome, published in Chronobiology International.
claimThe rising prevalence of shift work, extended work hours, and heightened exposure to artificial light at night are driven by professional and social obligations.
Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption dovepress.com May 19, 2017 4 facts
referenceBoivin and Boudreau (2014) published a study in Pathologie Biologie titled 'Impacts of shift work on sleep and circadian rhythms' which examines the physiological consequences of shift work.
claimShift work is a common cause of sleep disruption and has been implicated in high blood pressure and increased stress.
claimPerforming shift work and being a college student are risk factors for sleep disruption.
referenceSuwazono et al. (2008) conducted a longitudinal study on the effect of shift work on weight gain in male Japanese workers, published in the journal Obesity.
How sleep affects mental health (and vice versa) - Stanford Medicine med.stanford.edu Aug 11, 2025 3 facts
claimShift work is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.
procedureTo transition from an overnight shift to a day schedule, individuals should limit light exposure after their shift, take a nap of a few hours upon arriving home, and stay awake until nighttime to reset their schedule.
measurementIn the United States, 16% of employed people are shift workers, with 6% working evenings, 4% working overnight, and the remainder working irregular shifts.
Sleep Deprivation: What It Is, Symptoms, Treatment & Stages my.clevelandclinic.org Aug 11, 2022 2 facts
claimLifestyle-related causes of sleep deprivation include shift work (especially nighttime shifts), alcohol misuse, caffeine consumption later in the day, poor sleep hygiene, high stress levels, and sleeping in unfamiliar environments like hotels.
claimSleep deprivation can be caused by life circumstances including shift work (especially nighttime shifts), alcohol misuse, caffeine use later in the day, poor sleep hygiene, high stress levels, and sleeping in unfamiliar places.
National Sleep Foundation Guidelines: How Much Sleep Do You ... drkumardiscovery.com Oct 22, 2025 1 fact
claimThe National Sleep Foundation guidelines are based on conventional sleep patterns and may not directly apply to shift workers or those with irregular schedules.
Investigating the impact of sleep quality on cognitive functions ... frontiersin.org 1 fact
claimLondon students experience circadian disruptions due to social jetlag (the discrepancy between weekday and weekend sleep schedules), exposure to electronic devices before bed, and shift work.
How Much Sleep Do You Need? - Sleep Foundation sleepfoundation.org Jul 11, 2025 1 fact
claimThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides training for nurses regarding the management of shift work and long work hours.
Sleep duration, chronotype, health and lifestyle factors ... bmjpublichealth.bmj.com 1 fact
claimDisruption in circadian rhythms, such as those caused by shift work or jet lag, negatively impacts cognitive performance.