COVID-19 Resources
Download this short paper that provides sleep tips for shift workers especially important during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Are you a healthcare worker between the ages of 50-65? Take part in a research study about sleep and performance!
Are you a night shiftworker who sleeps in the afternoon? Take part in a survey study!
Are you a healthcare worker between the ages of 50-65? Take part in a research study about sleep and performance!
Are you a night shiftworker who sleeps in the afternoon? Take part in a survey study!
Intervention Study
Participate in our research
Are you a healthcare worker between the ages of 50-65? Take part in a research study about sleep and performance!
Participate in a 2-week remote research study to help us learn how the timing and duration of sleep impacts performance, well-being, and mood.
We are conducting a research study in older shift workers to see if sleeping at specific times after a night shift will improve sleep duration, sleep quality, overall mood, fatigue, and well-being.
Working at night or on a rotating shift schedule requires that individuals are awake when their body's internal clock is promoting sleep, and then attempt to sleep when their clock is promoting wakefulness. This misalignment between the timing of the biological clock and the work/sleep schedule results in sleepiness, inattention, and impaired performance during the night shift and poor quality, shortened sleep during the day. These adverse effects of night work are associated with diminished quality of life as well as long term negative health consequences, ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer.
Who can participate?
We are looking for healthcare workers between the ages of 50-65 who work at least four 8-hour night shifts per month.
How do I participate?
We will ask participants to complete a 20-25-minute general shiftwork questionnaire online to determine your eligibility. When eligible, your 2 week intervention study will be scheduled according to your work hours. During the first week, you will follow your normal sleep schedule after at least three consecutive 8-hr night shifts. During the second week, you may be assigned to a particular sleep time or duration after the night shifts. You will wear a wrist activity monitor, complete daily questionnaires and your night shift performance will be tested using a mini iPad. You will not have to come in to the office or complete any in-person visits, as the entire two-week intervention will be completed remotely.
What will participants receive?
Participants that complete the general shiftwork questionnaire will receive a $15 gift card and can opt into a raffle to win a $100 gift card. Payment upon completion of all intervention study procedures is up to $500.
Observation Study
Participate in our research
Are you a night shiftworker who sleeps in the afternoon? Take part in a survey study!
Participate in a daily online 5-minute survey to contribute to our understanding of shiftwork, sleep, and daily routines. You will first complete a screening survey, and if you qualify, take part in daily, 5-minute surveys over the course of two weeks.
We are doing this research to examine sleep habits of night shift workers. We are interested in why some night shift workers sleep as soon as they get home from work, while others normally sleep in the afternoon-evening or have sleep in more than one episode (including long naps). We hope to understand what factors are associated with protecting time for sleep and how different types of sleep habits relate to fatigue, stress, and quality of life.
Who can participate?
We are looking for night-shift workers ages 18-70 who work several night shifts in a row. All occupations are eligible.
How do I participate?
We will ask participants to first complete an online screening survey. If qualified, the participant will then complete short, 5-minute daily surveys over the course of two weeks.
What will participants receive?
Participants that complete the entire study (screening survey and subsequent daily surveys for two weeks), will receive a $25 gift card.
Research Participant Resources
The materials and resources available below support communication between researchers and participants. These resources provide useful information and helpful questions to think about and to ask before deciding to participate in a research study.
To access more resources regarding research participation, including risks, benefits, and participant rights and protections visit the Harvard Catalyst site where translations in many languages are available.
Participating in a Survey
- What is survey research?
- How do researchers use surveys?
- If a researcher asks you to do a survey
- Completing a survey
- Protecting your privacy when completing a survey
- Agreeing to participate in a survey
- Questions to ask before agreeing to participate in a survey
What is a clinical trial?
- Why do we need clinical trials?
- How do clinical trials work?
- What are the risks of clinical trials?
- Questions to ask before participating in a clinical trial
Research Data: How is my information protected and used?
- What are research data?
- What are the differences between research data and medical information?
- Does my research data become part of my medical records?
- How are my research data protected?
- Can researchers guarantee my research data will stay protected?
- Who will see my research data?
- Questions to ask before agreeing to take part in a study