Examining courses of sleep quality and sleepiness in full 2 weeks on/2 weeks off offshore day shift rotations

V. Riethmeister*, U. Bültmann, M. R. De Boer, M. Gordijn, S. Brouwer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

To better understand sleep quality and sleepiness problems offshore, we examined courses of sleep quality and sleepiness in full 2-weeks on/2-weeks off offshore day shift rotations by comparing pre-offshore (1 week), offshore (2 weeks) and post-offshore (1 week) work periods. A longitudinal observational study was conducted among N=42 offshore workers. Sleep quality was measured subjectively with two daily questions and objectively with actigraphy, measuring: time in bed (TIB), total sleep time (TST), sleep latency (SL) and sleep efficiency percentage (SE%). Sleepiness was measured twice a day (morning and evening) with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. Changes in sleep and sleepiness parameters during the pre/post and offshore work periods were investigated using (generalized) linear mixed models. In the pre-offshore work period, courses of SE% significantly decreased (p=.038). During offshore work periods, the courses of evening sleepiness scores significantly increased (p<.001) and significantly decreased during post-offshore work periods (p=.004). During offshore work periods, TIB (p<.001) and TST (p<.001) were significantly shorter, SE% was significantly higher (p=.002), perceived sleep quality was significantly lower (p<.001) and level of rest after wake was significantly worse (p<.001) than during the pre- and post-offshore work periods. Morning sleepiness was significantly higher during offshore work periods (p=.015) and evening sleepiness was significantly higher in the post-offshore work period (p=.005) compared to the other periods. No significant changes in SL were observed. Courses of sleep quality and sleepiness parameters significantly changed during full 2-weeks on/2-weeks off offshore day shift rotation periods. These changes should be considered in offshore fatigue risk management programmes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)759-772
Number of pages14
JournalChronobiology International
Volume35
Issue number6: Special Issue
Early online date16 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018

Bibliographical note

Volume 35 Issue 6: Special Issue: 23rd International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time: Toward a Global Consensus

Funding

This research was supported and funded by the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. and Royal Dutch Shell, Assen, Drenthe, The Netherlands. Vanessa Riethmeister works full time as an insights analyst at the Health, Safety and Environment Department at Royal Dutch Shell. In addition, she is an external PhD student at the Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

FundersFunder number
Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. and Royal Dutch Shell

    Keywords

    • Actigraphy
    • Fatigue
    • Fatigue Risk management
    • Occupational Health
    • Occupational Safety

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