Does Shiftwork Impact Cognitive Performance? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
New research from our Department has found how shiftwork impacts cognitive performance. The article was published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. In the large, nationally representative sample, the study found that shift workers showed poorer cognitive scores on tests for executive functioning, compared to non-shift workers.
The team included Rea Alonzo (MSc. 2021), Rebecca Rodrigues (MSc. 2017) and EpiBio faculty members Dr. Kelly Anderson, Dr. Neil Klar, Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso and our Department Chair Dr. Saverio Stranges, in collaboration with Dr. Paolo Chiodini from the University of Campania.
To the Department’s knowledge, this is the first Canadian study confirming this association in a very large, representative, population-based sample using objective cognitive measures. Given that cognitive processes are regulated by the circadian rhythm, misaligned circadian rhythm may represent one of the potential mechanisms explaining this relationship. As shiftwork takes place outside regular daytime working hours, working against the natural sleep-wake cycle may disrupt the circadian rhythm, resulting in impaired cognition in the long term.
“Our study provides suggestive evidence of a potential association between shiftwork and cognitive performance, particularly in the domain of executive functioning. Our findings may help inform employers and health and safety policy committees to better design shiftwork schedules that are less disruptive to the circadian rhythm. These findings may also help to inform employees about potential risks involved in working in the shift system and to consider the impact it may have on daily activities which rely on sound cognitive functioning. Employers and health and safety policy committees should create workplace environments aimed at promoting mental well-being that will help people cope with shift schedules. Future research using a prospective cohort design is warranted.”
Original article:
Alonzo R, Anderson KK, Rodrigues R, Klar N, Chiodini P, Montero-Odasso M, Stranges S. Does Shiftwork Impact Cognitive Performance? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Aug 16;19(16):10124.
