Assessing the Effect of a Light Intervention on Sleep Quality and Performance of Pentagon Watchstanders
Abstract
Around the world, watch floors provide information, intelligence, and technical support to operational commands 24 hours a day. Watch standers often work long shifts surpassing full time 40-hour work weeks, which include night and weekend shifts. Shiftwork has been associated with a decreased amount of sleep in both quantity and quality, which leads to exhaustion and compromised cognitive function. Exposure to high energy visible (HEV) light at appropriate times has the potential to shift the body's circadian rhythm to align faster to a new shift schedule. Adjusting to shifting work hours quicker could lead to less sleep loss, enhanced sleep quality, and less severe levels of fatigue. This study aims to assess the impact and potential benefits of intentionally introducing HEV light when watch standers on a shore-based watch floor are transitioning to a different work shift. The study will consider how the strategic application of HEV light affects circadian entrainment, thereby impacting sleep, performance, mood, and sleepiness. This work will inform recommendations to other shore-based watch floors at the Pentagon that require non-traditional work schedules to support watch standing operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1212981
Entities
People
- John L. Ramage
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School