Central fatigue and sympathovagal imbalance during night shift in Japanese female nurses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that Japanese female nurses with a reduced total power (TP) component of heart rate variability (HRV) will show an imbalance in sympathovagal activity during night-time work. We carried out this study on 10 healthy female nurses (30.9 ± 3.1 years) working a night shift from 16:00 to 09:00. Heart rate (HR) and the different frequency power components of HRV were measured to estimate individual patterns of sympathovagal activity. A latent imbalance of sympathovagal activity was defined as higher HR and reduced TP, and subjects were divided into two groups based on TP values taken before the night shift. To evaluate central fatigue, we performed three different fatigue tests before and after night work in all subjects. Our results suggest that nurses with reduced HRV have an imbalance of sympathovagal activity but do not suffer from the effects of central fatigue.

Occupational stress and work efficiency of nursing staff engaged in rotating shift work

“…Work demands in clinical settings are associated with high levels of stress and fatigue among nursing professionals (Tanaka et al 2014). Lee et al (2003) stated that, during the night and extended shifts, the alertness of nurses altered and this may be due to disruptions in circadian rhythm, fatigue and a general deterioration in health.…”

The effect of extended shift work on autonomic function in occupational settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…One study 55 was excluded because it described a theoretical framework for studying cardiovascular strain. Thirty‐six studies 16,22,56–89 were excluded because they did not investigate a 24‐h shift and 15 studies 90–104 did not have a continuous shift or had an unclear or undefined shift length. One study 105 was excluded because it did not compare the effect of shift work after 24 h. In addition, one study 106 was excluded because it was not available in the English language, three studies 107–109 used sleep as an experimental condition, and one study 110 was a letter to the editor.…”

“…One study 55 was excluded because it described a theoretical framework for studying cardiovascular strain. Thirty‐six studies 16 , 22 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 were excluded because they did not investigate a 24‐h shift and 15 studies 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 ,…”