Impact of Shift Work and Long Working Hours on Worker Cognitive Functions: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs

Veruscka Leso, Luca Fontana, Angela Caturano, Ilaria Vetrani, Mauro Fedele and Ivo Iavicoli
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Veruscka Leso: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Luca Fontana: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Angela Caturano: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Ilaria Vetrani: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Mauro Fedele: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Ivo Iavicoli: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-32

Abstract: Particular working conditions and/or organization of working time may cause important sleep disturbances that have been proposed to be predictive of cognitive decline. In this regard, circadian rhythm misalignment induced by exposure to night work or long working hours would be responsible for cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, evidence supporting this correlation is limited and several issues still need to be elucidated. In this regard, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between shift/night work and cognitive impairment and address its main determinants. Information provided by the reviewed studies suggested that night work might have serious immediate negative effects especially on cognitive domains related to attention, memory and response inhibition. Furthermore, cognitive performance would progressively worsen over consecutive night shifts or following exposure to very long work shifts. Otherwise, conflicting results emerged regarding the possible etiological role that night work chronic exposure would have on cognitive impairment. Therefore, circadian rhythm desynchronization, lack of sleep and fatigue resulting from night work may negatively impact worker’s cognitive efficiency. However, in light of the considerable methodological variability of the reviewed studies, we proposed to develop a standardized research and evaluation strategy in order to obtain a better and comprehensive understanding of this topic.

Keywords: shift work; night work; long working hours; cognitive impairment; circadian rhythm; fatigue; sleep disturbances (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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