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

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  • Veruscka Leso

    (Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Equal contribution.)

  • Luca Fontana

    (Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Equal contribution.)

  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Veruscka Leso & Luca Fontana & Angela Caturano & Ilaria Vetrani & Mauro Fedele & Ivo Iavicoli, 2021. "Impact of Shift Work and Long Working Hours on Worker Cognitive Functions: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6540-:d:576829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mauricio A. Ramírez-Moreno & Patricio Carrillo-Tijerina & Milton Osiel Candela-Leal & Myriam Alanis-Espinosa & Juan Carlos Tudón-Martínez & Armando Roman-Flores & Ricardo A. Ramírez-Mendoza & Jorge de, 2021. "Evaluation of a Fast Test Based on Biometric Signals to Assess Mental Fatigue at the Workplace—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Nicola Magnavita & Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio & Igor Meraglia & Maria Eugenia Vacca & Paolo Maurizio Soave & Enrico Di Stasio, 2023. "Sleep in Residents: A Comparison between Anesthesiology and Occupational Medicine Interns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Elaine Cristina Marqueze & Erika Alvim de Sá e Benevides & Ana Carolina Russo & Mariana Souza Gomes Fürst & Rodrigo Cauduro Roscani & Paulo Cesar Vaz Guimarães & Celso Amorim Salim, 2023. "Organizational Risk Factors for Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-29, February.

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