https://pittplusme.org/study/673
Shift Work Effects on Sleep and Health
STUDY BASICS
Are you retired and over the age of 60? Do you have a history of working overnight (after midnight)? You may be able to take part in a research study to find out how night shift work (night work on a permanent, rotating, or irregular basis) affects sleep, health, and functioning later in life. Compensation provided.
STUDY PURPOSE
Millions of people in the healthcare, hospitality, public safety, transportation, and retail industries work overnight shifts that disrupt normal sleep patterns. Research has shown that poor sleep can increase the risk of depression, memory problems, heart disease, and diabetes. However, less is known about the long-term health effects of repeated sleep disruptions associated with night shift work. The purpose of this research study is to find out if a history of night shift work has any long-term effects on a person’s sleep, health and well-being. As part of this study, researchers will compare results from night shift workers and non-shift workers.COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Age 60 and up
- Retired
- Have a history of working at night
- Not using insulin
- Non-smoker
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
Study participation will vary from person to person and may include questionnaires, interviews, a medical evaluation, a blood sample, a sleep diary, an overnight at-home sleep study, a heart health study, and a 60 hour sleep study.IRB: STUDY19090103A
- Sleep, Circadian Rhythms & Cardiometabolic Risk in Retired Shift Workers
MEET THE RESEARCHERS
Martica H. Hall
Martica H. Hall, PhD, has been a member of the University of Pittsburgh Sleep and Chronobiology Center for 20 years. A health psychologist by training, Dr. Hall’s research goal is to advance our understanding of how psychological factors and sleep interact to influence physical health. She has studied these relationships in diverse populations across the lifespan, focusing mainly on mid- to late-life adults at increased risk for poor health outcomes including caregivers, women during the menopausal transition, individuals with sleep and psychiatric disorders, and adults affected by racial/social disparities.
Daniel J. Buysse
Daniel J. Buysse, MD, has over 25 years of experience in sleep medicine research and has worked extensively with older patients in sleep and circadian rhythm studies. His main areas of focus include sleep assessment and patient reported outcomes; evaluation and treatment of insomnia; and sleep in aging. He has also investigated sleep in mood disorders, and the interaction between sleep and circadian physiology. This research uses a variety of techniques such as self-report, actigraphy, home and laboratory-based polysomnography, laboratory-based circadian assessments, and functional imaging studies. Dr. Buysse has also conducted clinical trials of behavioral treatment for insomnia.
MEET THE COORDINATOR
Sarah Kimutis
Sarah K. Kimutis, BA, received her degree in Psychology from Seton Hill University. Ms. Kimutis is a research specialist. She has worked at the University of Pittsburgh and with her current group since August of 2016.