Role of morning melatonin administration and attenuation of sunlight exposure in improving adaptation of night-shift workers

Abstract

The authors studied whether melatonin administration improves adaptation of workers to nightshift and if its beneficial effect is enhanced by attenuation of morning sunlight exposure. Twelve nightshift nurses received three treatments: Placebo (Pla), Melatonin (Mel), and Melatonin with Sunglasses (Mel-S). Each treatment procedure was administered for 2d of different 4d nightshifts in a repeated measures crossover design. In Pla, nurses were treated with placebo before daytime sleep and allowed exposure to morning sunlight. In Mel, 6mg of melatonin was similarly administered before daytime sleep with morning sunlight permitted. In Mel-S, 6 mg of melatonin was given as in Mel, with sunglasses worn in the morning to attenuate sunlight exposure. Placebo or melatonin was administered during days 2 and 3 when the first and second daytime sleep occurred. Nocturnal alertness and performance plus daytime sleep and mood states were assessed during all three treatments. The sleep period and total sleep times were significantly increased by melatonin treatments; yet, nocturnal alertness was only marginally improved. There were no differences between Mel and Mel-S. Performance tests revealed no difference between Pla and melatonin treatments. Melatonin exerted modest benefit in improving the adaptation of workers to nightshift, and its effect was not enhanced by attenuation of morning sunlight exposure.