The effectiveness of an individualized sleep and shift work education and coaching program to manage shift work disorder in nurses: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Study objectives: While insomnia and sleepiness symptoms are common in shift workers, 20%-30% experience more severe symptoms and meet the criteria for shift work disorder (SWD). SWD can lead to impairments in cognitive function, physical and mental health, and reduced productivity and increased risk of workplace injury. The aim of this study was to deliver and evaluate a shift work individual management coaching program, focusing on sleep education, promoting good sleep hygiene, and providing individualized behavioral strategies to cope with shift schedules.
Methods: A clustered randomized controlled trial of sleep education and sleep disorders screening was undertaken, based on hospital wards at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants identified as high risk for SWD underwent one of two 8-week programs, a shift work individualized management program, or an active control. The primary outcome was ward-based sick leave. Secondary outcomes were SWD risk, sleep hygiene, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. A total of 149 nurses, across 16 wards (96% female, 34.66 ± 11.99 years) completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires (23.9% were high risk SWD).
Results: There was no significant reduction in sick leave between intervention and control wards (mean difference = 1.2 days, P = .063). Improvements were seen in insomnia (P P ≤ .0001, control, P = .023) in both groups, but were not significantly different between programs. Anxiety (P = .001. control P =…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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