Effect of sleep/wake cycle on autonomic regulation

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the association between irregular sleep/wake cycle in shift workers and autonomic regulation. Cross-sectional, analytical study. Dow University Hospital, Karachi, from August to November 2013. All healthcare providers working in rotating shifts making a total [n=104] were included. Instrument was an integrated questionnaire applied to assess autonomic regulation, taken from Kroz et al. on scoring criteria, ranging from 18 - 54, where higher rating signifies strong autonomic regulation, indicating a stable Autonomic Nervous System [ANS] and vice versa. Participants were interviewed and their response was recorded by the investigator. Influence of sleep misalignment was measured quantitatively to extract index of autonomic activity. There was a reduced trend in autonomic strength amongst shift workers. The mean score obtained on the Autonomic Scale was 37.8 +/- 5.9. Circadian misalignment has an injurious influence on ANS which might be valuable in controlling autonomic dysfunction that leads to fatal triggers in rotating shift workers