SHIFTPLAN: Multimodal Shift‑Work Intervention Randomized Trial
Summary
The SHIFTPLAN project is a randomized controlled trial testing whether a multimodal program can improve the health and performance of public transport drivers working shifts in Belgium. About 160 drivers were randomly assigned to either receive the program or stay on a waiting list. The intervention includes healthier scheduling practices (such as limiting quick returns and adapting rotations to workers’ chronotypes), a tailored education program on sleep and coping strategies, and an information campaign for shift planners. Researchers are measuring outcomes like fatigue, sleepiness, sleep quality, absenteeism, and general health at 3 and 6 months. While results are not yet available, this is the first large study to test a combined approach to managing shift-work challenges.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
For shift workers, most advice and workplace changes usually focus on just one area — like light exposure or sleep hygiene. This study is important because it tests a program that tackles several factors at once: schedules, rest, and education. Although results are pending, the design highlights a promising direction. Instead of searching for a single “fix,” combining small, practical changes could be a more realistic way to make night shifts healthier and less exhausting over time.
Notes
Intervention details useful for workplace pilots.