title: Shift work and quality of sleep: effect of working in designed dynamic light.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of designed dynamic light on staff's quality of sleep with regard to sleep efficiency, level of melatonin in saliva, and subjective perceptions of quality of sleep.
  
  
  METHODS
  An intervention group working in designed dynamic light was compared with a control group working in ordinary institutional light at two comparable intensive care units (ICUs). The study included examining (1) melatonin profiles obtained from saliva samples, (2) quality of sleep in terms of sleep efficiency, number of awakenings and subjective assessment of sleep through the use of sleep monitors and sleep diaries, and (3) subjective perceptions of well-being, health, and sleep quality using a questionnaire. Light conditions were measured at both locations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 113 nurses (88 %) participated. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding personal characteristics, and no significant differences in total sleep efficiency or melatonin level were found. The intervention group felt more rested (OR 2.03, p = 0.003) and assessed their condition on awakening as better than the control group (OR 2.35, p = 0.001). Intervention-ICU nurses received far more light both during day and evening shifts compared to the control-ICU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study found no significant differences in monitored sleep efficiency and melatonin level. Nurses from the intervention-ICU subjectively assessed their sleep as more effective than participants from the control-ICU.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, Skovvangen 2-8, 6000, Kolding, Denmark. hanne.irene.jensen@rsyd.dk.|Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. hanne.irene.jensen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Hanne Irene
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Energy and Environment, Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450, København SV, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Markvart
authors.affiliation: Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, Skovvangen 2-8, 6000, Kolding, Denmark.
authors.forename: Tina Damgaard
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, Skovvangen 2-8, 6000, Kolding, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jette West
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle Hospital, Kabbeltoft 25, 7100, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: Dorthe Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Eg
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, Skovvangen 2-8, 6000, Kolding, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lisa Seest
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008029:Lighting / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008550:Melatonin / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Health; Melatonin; Shift work; Sleep efficiency; Sleep monitoring; Work environment