@article{ref1,
title="Cognitive functions of shift workers: paramedics and firefighters. An EEG study",
journal="International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics",
year="2020",
author="Sumińska, S. and Nowak, K. and Łukomska, B. and Cygan, H. B.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Working shifts has a negative impact on employee health and cognitive efficiency. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of shift work on cognitive functions - attention and working memory - using both behavioural and electrophysiological measures. Materials and method: The study was carried out on a group of 34 shift employees: 18 paramedics, 16 firefighters and 17 day workers. The participant performed Attention Network Test (ANT) and N-back task with 2 conditions (1-back, 2-back) while EEG signal was recorded. <br><br>RESULTS: There were observed higher amplitude of the P200 potential in paramedics (compare to control group), higher amplitude of the P300 potential after work than on a day off, the lowest increase in power in the theta band after the night shift. In firefighters a lower alpha desynchronisation and lower synchronisation in the alpha/beta band was observed after a 24-hour shift. Paramedics and firefighters had longer reaction times (N-back). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that paramedics experiences problems with sustained attention. Paramedics process visual stimuli in a different way; after a night shift, performing the tasks required more engagement of cognitive resources. In firefighters, a decrease in the visual attention functions and cognitive inhibition was observed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1080-3548",
doi="10.1080/10803548.2020.1773117",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2020.1773117"
}