Comparison of 45-min nap versus no-nap during simulated night shift work on endothelial function: a randomized crossover feasibility trial

Authors

P. Daniel Patterson, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Cassie J. Hilditch, San Jose State UniversityFollow
Sarah E. Martin, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
David G.L. Roach, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Matthew D. Weaver, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Tiffany S. Okerman, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
David Hostler, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Leonard S. Weiss, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Steven E. Reis, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Pilot and Feasibility Studies

Volume

10

Issue

1

DOI

10.1186/s40814-024-01569-2

Abstract

Background: Night shift workers face increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to non-shift workers. Evidence supports on-shift napping and regular non-invasive monitoring of endothelial function for risk mitigation, yet neither strategy is widely used. Methods: We evaluated the feasibility of non-invasive assessment of peripheral arterial tone (PAT) to assess the effect of napping during simulated night shift work on endothelial function. We used a single-site, randomized crossover trial of simulated night shift work with a 45-min nap condition versus a control, no-nap condition (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05436951). Results: The primary outcome was the number of participants with ≥ 70% of endothelial function assessments. Secondary outcomes included mean reactive hyperemia index (RHI), BP, and cognitive performance with the brief psychomotor vigilance task (PVT-B). Of the 10 consented, 9 completed both conditions. All participants exceeded feasibility benchmarks. Mean RHI did not differ by nap condition, and the delta from pre- to post measure did not differ (difference in delta = − 0.26, 95% CI − 1.09, 0.58). Hourly PVT-B assessments from 19:00 to 07:00 h did not differ by nap condition. Compared to pre-nap measures, cognitive performance on the PVT-B was poorest at + 0 min post-nap. Conclusion: Our findings can inform larger studies evaluating the effects of night shift work and napping on endothelial function. Trial registrations: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05436951, registered on June 23, 2022).

Keywords

Cardiovascular disease, Endothelial function, Napping, Night shift work, Sleep

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Department

Research Foundation

Recommended Citation

P. Daniel Patterson, Cassie J. Hilditch, Sarah E. Martin, David G.L. Roach, Matthew D. Weaver, Tiffany S. Okerman, David Hostler, Leonard S. Weiss, and Steven E. Reis. "Comparison of 45-min nap versus no-nap during simulated night shift work on endothelial function: a randomized crossover feasibility trial" Pilot and Feasibility Studies (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01569-2