Frontiers in Sleep (Feb 2024)

Current sleep interventions for shift workers: a mini review to shape a new preventative, multicomponent sleep management programme

  • Amber F. Tout,
  • Nicole K. Y. Tang,
  • Tracey L. Sletten,
  • Carla T. Toro,
  • Charlotte Kershaw,
  • Caroline Meyer,
  • Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam,
  • Talar R. Moukhtarian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/frsle.2024.1343393
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3

Abstract

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IntroductionShift work can lead to sleep disturbances and insomnia during the sleeping period, as well as excessive sleepiness and fatigue during the waking period. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-i) is recommended as the first line of treatment for insomnia, key elements of CBT-i, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, can be challenging for shift workers, highlighting the need for tailored sleep interventions. This mini review provides a narrative synthesis of non-pharmacological sleep interventions for shift workers and informs the development of a preventative, multicomponent sleep management programme.MethodAn informal review was conducted in line with Phase 1 of the Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions.ResultsA variety of strategies have been employed to help manage the impacts of shift work on sleep, including: CBT-i, adjusting shift schedules, controlled light exposure, sleep hygiene education, planned napping, caffeine consumption, and mind-body interventions (e.g., yogic relaxation).DiscussionRecommendations, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed; notably, the role of the family, the commute to and from the workplace, and the eating behaviors of employees appear to have been overlooked in current intervention efforts. Digital CBT-i platforms could help to provide an effective, scalable, and low-cost method of reducing insomnia in shift workers.

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