Laura K Barger1, Jason P Sullivan, Steven W Lockley, Charles A Czeisler. 1. Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Barger, Sullivan, Dr Lockley, Dr Czeisler); Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Barger, Dr Lockley, Dr Czeisler).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of a combined short-wavelength-enriched white light and exercise fatigue countermeasure during breaks for flight controllers working overnight shifts. METHODS: Twenty NASA flight controllers were studied for two blocks of nightshifts in ISS mission control, randomized to either the control or countermeasure condition. The countermeasure constituted passive exposure to blue-enriched polychromatic lighting for three 20-minute intervals, which included 10 minutes of exercise and occurred before and twice during their shifts. Alertness, performance, and mood were evaluated. RESULTS: Flight controllers reported being significantly more alert (P < 0.0001) and happy (P = 0.003) and had faster reaction times (10% slowest responses; P < 0.05) during the countermeasure condition compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The combined light and exercise countermeasure improved alertness, performance, and mood in shift workers overnight. Further research is necessary to determine their relative contribution.
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of a combined short-wavelength-enriched white light and exercise fatigue countermeasure during breaks for flight controllers working overnight shifts. METHODS: Twenty NASA flight controllers were studied for two blocks of nightshifts in ISS mission control, randomized to either the control or countermeasure condition. The countermeasure constituted passive exposure to blue-enriched polychromatic lighting for three 20-minute intervals, which included 10 minutes of exercise and occurred before and twice during their shifts. Alertness, performance, and mood were evaluated. RESULTS: Flight controllers reported being significantly more alert (P < 0.0001) and happy (P = 0.003) and had faster reaction times (10% slowest responses; P < 0.05) during the countermeasure condition compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The combined light and exercise countermeasure improved alertness, performance, and mood in shift workers overnight. Further research is necessary to determine their relative contribution.
Authors: Lauren A Booker; Tracey L Sletten; Maree Barnes; Pasquale Alvaro; Allison Collins; Ching Li Chai-Coetzer; Marcus McMahon; Steven W Lockley; Shantha M W Rajaratnam; Mark E Howard Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Tracey L Sletten; Bhairavi Raman; Michelle Magee; Sally A Ferguson; David J Kennaway; Ronald R Grunstein; Steven W Lockley; Shantha M W Rajaratnam Journal: Nat Sci Sleep Date: 2021-05-24