A Laboratory Comparison of Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise Rapidly Rotating Shift Schedules, Part I, Sleep: Final Report

Details

• Alternative Title:
  A laboratory comparison of clockwise and counter-clockwise rapidly rotating shift schedules, part I, sleep.
• Creators:
  Cruz, Crystal E. ; Detwiler, C. ; Nesthus, Thomas E. ; Boquet, A.
• Corporate Creators:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Office of Aerospace Medicine
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Air Traffic Control Alternatives Analysis Circadian Rhythms Data Analysis Shiftwork Human Factors Laboratory Tests Shifts Sleep
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FAA/AM-02/8
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Abstract:
  INTRODUCTION. Many air traffic control specialists work relatively unique counter-clockwise, rapidly rotating shift schedules. Researchers recommend, however, that if rotating schedules are to be used, they should rotate in a clockwise, rather than a counterclockwise direction. Unfortunately, few studies have examined clockwise and counter-clockwise, rapidly rotating shifts. This study was designed to partially remedy this lack by examining the effects of both types of schedules on sleep duration, timing, and quality. METHODS. Participants (n=28) worked a week of day shifts (0800-1600), followed by two weeks of either a Clockwise (n=14) or Counter-Clockwise (n=14) shiftwork schedule, including early morning (0600-1400), afternoon (1400-2200), and midnight shifts (2200-0600). Participants recorded sleep data in daily logbooks and wore wrist activity sensors to provide an objective source of sleep/wake data. RESULTS. Both groups reported less sleep before the early morning shifts (MClockwise=5.1h; Mcounter-clockwise=5.5h) than before the afternoon shifts (MClockwise=7.5h; Mcounter-Clockwise=7.9h). The Clockwise group reported an average of 7.2h of sleep during the night before the midnight shifts and a nap during the day of 0.9h. In addition to a nighttime sleep of 6.0h, the Counter-Clockwise group also took a nap before the midnight shifts of 2.2h. Objective sleep data and subjective sleep quality ratings are also reported. DISCUSSION. While these data indicate that a longer concentrated sleep period is obtained prior to the midnight shift on the Clockwise rotation schedule, they do not fully support the hypothesis that a clockwise rotation will result in less sleep disruption.
• Format:
  PDF
• Collection(s):
  FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fbb3b275cc2628d8eee2ebe363f79c9cfe528208a8ccd8c525bae06a3b2eea42bbcff3272bde79e9194d5dea744ed7d88ee7d1bf63671c80c9e2fb4dd5951142
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21495/dot_21495_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 448.87 KB ]