Effectiveness of Sleep Interventions for Rotating Night‑Shift Workers
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis pulled together 30 studies (with 25 in the meta-analysis) on ways to improve sleep in rotating night-shift workers. Interventions included medications, light therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches (e.g., CBT-I), aroma/alternative therapies, and shift-schedule modifications. Across studies, the overall effect on sleep was moderate (Hedges’ g = 0.59), meaning these strategies generally improved sleep or reduced sleep problems. However, results varied by intervention type and worker group, and not every approach worked the same way for everyone. The included trials ran from 1990 to June 2022 and used both randomized and quasi-experimental designs.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
For workers on rotating schedules, poor sleep often feels unavoidable. This review shows that targeted strategies—like timed naps, light exposure, or CBT-I—can meaningfully improve rest, even when schedules keep changing. The key takeaway is that sleep quality isn’t only determined by the shift pattern itself; practical interventions exist that can make rotating night work less disruptive.
Notes
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