Effects of Taking a Nap or Break Immediately After a 16‑h Night Shift (Nurses)
Summary
This quasi-experimental crossover study tested whether a short rest period immediately after a 16-hour night shift could improve recovery for nurses. Sixty-two nurses either took a 30-minute nap or break in a controlled nap environment or went straight home as usual. The nap/break significantly reduced fatigue right after the shift—especially symptoms like local pain and heaviness—though it did not lead to clear improvements in sleep quality later that day. The main benefit was immediate relief from work-related fatigue.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
Long night shifts leave nurses exhausted, which increases risks for errors, accidents, and chronic fatigue. This study shows that even a brief nap or quiet rest before heading home can noticeably reduce immediate fatigue. For shift workers, the takeaway is that structured recovery time right after a shift—even just 30 minutes—can be a practical tool for easing exhaustion and protecting health.
Notes
Recent hospital‑based RCT.