Physiological and Psychological Aspects of Night and Shift Work

摘要

In the review, the results of physiological and psychological studies related to night and shift work have been collected. They are discussed mainly from the standpoint of their possible utilization in industry, in understanding the problems of shift work, the sources of possible troubles and complaints connected with shift work, and in the alleviation of the problems. The wide variety of jobs involving shiftwork in modern industry indicates the need for the review. In Chapter I and Addendum VI and VIII circadian rhythms in biological functions are reviewed with the purpose of drawing the reader's attention to the variations in the organism's functional capacities during day and night, and as a result of that, variations in responsiveness to environmental factors, as well as, to work. It is not the intention of the author to suggest that all night-day variations observed in physiological functions, sensory-motor performance, and work efficiency reflect only the circadian rhythm.