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Change from an 8-hour shift to a 12-hour shift, attitudes, sleep, sleepiness and performance.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 1998; 24 Suppl 3:69-75.SJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

The present study sought to evaluate the effect of a change from a rotating 3-shift (8-hour) to a 2-shift shift (12 hour) schedule on sleep, sleepiness, performance, perceived health, and well-being.

METHODS

Thirty-two shift workers at a chemical plant (control room operators) responded to a questionnaire a few months before a change was made in their shift schedule and 10 months after the change. Fourteen workers also filled out a diary, carried activity loggers, and carried out reaction-time tests (beginning and end of shift). Fourteen day workers served as a reference group for the questionnaires and 9 were intensively studied during a week with workdays and a free weekend.

RESULTS

The questionnaire data showed that the shift change increased satisfaction with workhours, sleep, and time for social activities. Health, perceived accident risk, and reaction-time performance were not negatively affected. Alertness improved and subjective recovery time after night work decreased. The quick changes in the 8-hour schedule greatly increased sleep problems and fatigue. Sleepiness integrated across the entire shift cycle showed that the shift workers were less alert than the day workers, across workdays and days off (although alertness increased with the 12-hour shift).

CONCLUSIONS

The change from 8-hour to 12-hour shifts was positive in most respects, possibly due to the shorter sequences of the workdays, the longer sequences of consecutive days off, the fewer types of shifts (easier planning), and the elimination of quick changes. The results may differ in groups with a higher work load.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Lowden A
National Institute for Psychosocial Factors and Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Arne.Lowden@ipm.ki.se
Kecklund G
No affiliation info available
Axelsson J
No affiliation info available
Akerstedt T
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Accidents, OccupationalAdultAttitudeChemical IndustryFatigueFemaleHumansJob SatisfactionMaleMiddle AgedOccupational DiseasesPersonnel Staffing and SchedulingReaction TimeSwedenTask Performance and AnalysisWork Schedule Tolerance

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

9916820

Citation

Lowden, A, et al. "Change From an 8-hour Shift to a 12-hour Shift, Attitudes, Sleep, Sleepiness and Performance." Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, vol. 24 Suppl 3, 1998, pp. 69-75.
Lowden A, Kecklund G, Axelsson J, et al. Change from an 8-hour shift to a 12-hour shift, attitudes, sleep, sleepiness and performance. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1998;24 Suppl 3:69-75.
Lowden, A., Kecklund, G., Axelsson, J., & Akerstedt, T. (1998). Change from an 8-hour shift to a 12-hour shift, attitudes, sleep, sleepiness and performance. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 24 Suppl 3, 69-75.
Lowden A, et al. Change From an 8-hour Shift to a 12-hour Shift, Attitudes, Sleep, Sleepiness and Performance. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1998;24 Suppl 3:69-75. PubMed PMID: 9916820.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Change from an 8-hour shift to a 12-hour shift, attitudes, sleep, sleepiness and performance. AU - Lowden,A, AU - Kecklund,G, AU - Axelsson,J, AU - Akerstedt,T, PY - 1999/1/23/pubmed PY - 1999/1/23/medline PY - 1999/1/23/entrez SP - 69 EP - 75 JF - Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health JO - Scand J Work Environ Health VL - 24 Suppl 3 N2 - OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to evaluate the effect of a change from a rotating 3-shift (8-hour) to a 2-shift shift (12 hour) schedule on sleep, sleepiness, performance, perceived health, and well-being. METHODS: Thirty-two shift workers at a chemical plant (control room operators) responded to a questionnaire a few months before a change was made in their shift schedule and 10 months after the change. Fourteen workers also filled out a diary, carried activity loggers, and carried out reaction-time tests (beginning and end of shift). Fourteen day workers served as a reference group for the questionnaires and 9 were intensively studied during a week with workdays and a free weekend. RESULTS: The questionnaire data showed that the shift change increased satisfaction with workhours, sleep, and time for social activities. Health, perceived accident risk, and reaction-time performance were not negatively affected. Alertness improved and subjective recovery time after night work decreased. The quick changes in the 8-hour schedule greatly increased sleep problems and fatigue. Sleepiness integrated across the entire shift cycle showed that the shift workers were less alert than the day workers, across workdays and days off (although alertness increased with the 12-hour shift). CONCLUSIONS: The change from 8-hour to 12-hour shifts was positive in most respects, possibly due to the shorter sequences of the workdays, the longer sequences of consecutive days off, the fewer types of shifts (easier planning), and the elimination of quick changes. The results may differ in groups with a higher work load. SN - 0355-3140 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/9916820/Change_from_an_8_hour_shift_to_a_12_hour_shift_attitudes_sleep_sleepiness_and_performance_ L2 - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=338 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -