Night shift: can a homeopathic remedy alleviate shift lag?
Night shift nurses are subject to shift lag or circadian dysrhythmia, which may result in physical and mental symptoms ranging from fatigue, irritability, depression, and apathy to gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and sleep disorders. This study investigated the effect a homeopathic remedy No-Shift-Lag had on the night shift nurses in an intensive care unit. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. The measures included an objective computer-based vigilance test and a series of subjective questionnaires.
La Pine
Mary P
MP
Intensive Care Unit, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. lapinem@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Malcomson
Fay N
FN
Torrance
John M
JM
Marsh
Nigel V
NV
D000328:Adult; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009551:Night Care; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*