Chronotype-based recommendations for shift workers to improve sleep and work performance

During night shifts, workers’ circadian rhythms (or “body clocks”) do not align with their work schedules. This misalignment results in poorer sleep and more workplace errors relative to working during the day. It is possible to align the body clock to night shift schedules by controlling one’s exposure to light. However, the effectiveness of this approach may vary depending on people’s work schedules (e.g., rotating or permanent night shifts) and chronotype (i.e., their biological preference for usual sleep and wake times). The goals of the proposed project are to (1) validate an intervention for rapidly rotating shift workers to help align their circadian rhythms with their work schedules, and (2) identify individual factors (e.g., chronotype, age, sex) that predict this alignment. Our results will enable workers to reduce the negative consequences associated with working rotating shifts. The proposed project will also benefit the partner organisation by helping them tailor their sleep improvement recommendations to different populations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amir Raz

Student:

Jay Jeremy Olson;Despina Zarnescu Artenie;Mariève Cyr

Partner:

Alpha Mach

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

McGill University