Association between Shift Work and Neurocognitive Function among Firefighters in South Korea: A Prospective before–after Study

Kyeongmin Kwak, Bong-Kyu Kim, Tae-Won Jang, Chang Sun Sim, Yeon-Soon Ahn, Kyeong-Sook Choi and Kyoung Sook Jeong
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Kyeongmin Kwak: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea
Bong-Kyu Kim: Department of Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul 08826, Korea
Tae-Won Jang: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 04763, Korea
Chang Sun Sim: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan 44033, Korea
Yeon-Soon Ahn: Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Korea
Kyeong-Sook Choi: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon 34824, Korea
Kyoung Sook Jeong: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju 26426, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Background : Recent research indicates that shift work is associated with neurocognitive function. However, studies that examine the association between shift work and neurocognitive function in firefighters have not yet been performed. We examined the effect of shift work on neurocognitive function in firefighters by measuring and comparing neurocognitive function before and after night shift. Methods : 352 firefighters from eight fire stations in South Korea were included in this study. We performed neurocognitive function test using central nervous system vital signs (CNSVS) during daytime work and on the next day after night work. We performed paired t -tests to assess differences between neurocognitive function before and after night work. We also compared neurocognitive function in insomnia and depression. We used a general linear model to analyze the associations between shiftwork schedule and the changes in neurocognitive function. Results : The neurocognitive function significantly decreased in six domains (composite memory, verbal memory, visual memory, complex attention, psychomotor speed, and motor speed) as did the neurocognitive index on the next day after night work compared with during day work. These decreased domains were the same following night work regardless of the type of shift work. Conclusion : Night work in firefighters may cause neurocognitive decline.

Keywords: firefighter; shift work; neurocognitive function; sleep deprivation; CNSVS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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