Associations between shift schedule characteristics with sleep, need for recovery, health and performance measures for regular (semi-)continuous 3-shift systems

Hardy A van de Ven; Sandra Brouwer; Wendy Koolhaas; Anneke Goudswaard; Michiel P de Looze; Göran Kecklund; Josue Almansa; Ute Bültmann; Jac J L van der Klink

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2016.04.004

Associations between shift schedule characteristics with sleep, need for recovery, health and performance measures for regular (semi-)continuous 3-shift systems

Appl Ergon. 2016 Sep:56:203-12. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.04.004. Epub 2016 Apr 28.

Authors

Hardy A van de Ven¹, Sandra Brouwer², Wendy Koolhaas², Anneke Goudswaard³, Michiel P de Looze⁴, Göran Kecklund⁵, Josue Almansa², Ute Bültmann², Jac J L van der Klink²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Sciences, Division of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: h.a.van.de.ven@umcg.nl.
² Department of Health Sciences, Division of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
³ TNO, Schipholweg 77-89, 2316 ZL Leiden, The Netherlands; Windesheim, University of Applied Sciences, Hospitaaldreef 5, 1315 RC Almere, The Netherlands.
⁴ TNO, Schipholweg 77-89, 2316 ZL Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁵ Stress Research Institute, University of Stockholm, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 16 A, 114 19 Stockholm, Sweden; Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Montessorilaan 3, A.08.29 6525 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

PMID: 27184329
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.04.004

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study associations were examined between eight shift schedule characteristics with shift-specific sleep complaints and need for recovery and generic health and performance measures. It was hypothesized that shift schedule characteristics meeting ergonomic recommendations are associated with better sleep, need for recovery, health and performance. Questionnaire data were collected from 491 shift workers of 18 companies with 9 regular (semi)-continuous shift schedules. The shift schedule characteristics were analyzed separately and combined using multilevel linear regression models. The hypothesis was largely not confirmed. Relatively few associations were found, of which the majority was in the direction as expected. In particular early starts of morning shifts and many consecutive shifts seem to be avoided. The healthy worker effect, limited variation between included schedules and the cross-sectional design might explain the paucity of significant results.

Keywords: Fatigue; Health; Need for recovery; Shift work; Sleep; Work functioning; Work schedule tolerance.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Fatigue / etiology*
Female
Healthy Worker Effect
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases / etiology*
Occupational Health
Rest / physiology
Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology*
Sleep*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Work Schedule Tolerance / physiology*