The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a personalized light exposure schedule for Shift Work Disorder (SWD) in night shift workers compared to a non-personalized light exposure schedule.
Participants will be randomized into each condition (n = 25) in a 1:1 ratio. Variables of interest, dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and shift work disorder (SWD) symptoms, will be assessed before and after the intervention, which will last two weeks. All participants (N=50) will be asked to wear an Apple Watch for two weeks leading up to an in-lab visit. Activity data collection from the Apple Watch will be processed through a mathematical model of the human circadian pacemaker (previously validated in SWD) to generate estimates of DLMO. This two-week period is followed by a 27-hour laboratory visit for pre-treatment assessment of DLMO (hourly saliva melatonin samples over 24 hours). At the end of this visit, participants will receive an orientation to the SHIFT mobile application, where they will be able to assess their prescribed light exposure schedule.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
63
Light exposure recommendations provided by SHIFT mobile application
Henry Ford Columbus Medical Center
Novi, Michigan, United States
Dim light melatonin onset
Melatonin values will be measured in saliva samples, collected in dim light conditions in a laboratory, to determine circadian phase.
Time frame: Within two days of treatment for a duration of 24 hours
Insomnia
Insomnia will be measured with the Insomnia Severity Scale (0 to 28; higher scores correspond to worse severity)
Time frame: Within one week of post-treatment
Daytime sleepiness
Sleepiness will be measured with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (0 to 24; a score of 10 or greater indicates excessive daytime sleepiness)
Time frame: Within one week of post-treatment
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