Short sleep duration and high exposure to quick returns are associated with impaired everyday memory in shift workers

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between self-reported everyday memory problems the last month, and: (a) shift work schedule, (b) night shifts and quick returns worked the last year, and (c) sleep duration the last month.

Methods: In all, 1,275 nurses completed the Everyday Memory Questionnaire - revised, and answered questions about shift work exposure and sleep duration. We performed multiple linear regression analyses with memory score as dependent variable, and the shift work exposure variables as well as sleep duration as predictors, while adjusting for potential confounders.

Findings: High exposure to quick returns (β = .10, p < .05) and short sleep duration (β = .10, p < .05) were both positively associated with memory problems, whereas shift work schedule, long sleep duration, night shift exposure, and low and moderate exposure to quick returns were not.

Discussion: Frequent insufficient time for rest between shifts as well as short sleep was associated with poorer everyday memory.

Keywords: Memory; Night shifts; Nurses; Quick returns; Shift work; Sleep duration.