By Nancy Perry
Researchers from CDC NIOSH and Washington State University (WSU) are recruiting patrol officers to participate in a 12-week research study on fatigue management.
Participants, who must currently be working the night shift, will be asked to complete an online survey about their work experience, sleep patterns, sleepiness levels, and knowledge about sleep and work schedules. This survey will take about 10 minutes. Then participants will wear a wrist actigraph (about the size of a wristwatch) to monitor sleep and movement for 28 consecutive days.
During the 28 days, participants will complete an online sleep diary at the beginning and end of each day and about 14 days into the study, will complete an online training module about sleep, managing fatigue and coping with shift work.
The study will not collect data during weeks 5 to 10 of the study.
During weeks 11 and 12 of the study, participants will wear a wrist actigraph and fill out a sleep diary for 14 days. At the end of the 14 days, participants will fill out an online survey that includes sleep patterns and sleepiness levels.
Responses and data will be fully confidential. There will be several benefits from participating in the study, including a $20 gift card and training on how to improve sleep and reduce your fatigue.
To learn more about the study, email Dr. Claire Caruso, who is a research scientist and leading the study, at policestudy@cdc.gov.
The survey closes on January 1, 2021.