Journal of Occupational
Health and Epidemiology
Rafsanjan university Of medical sciences
Volume 15, Issue 2 (Spring 2026)
J Occup Health Epidemiol 2026, 15(2): 144-151 |
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Kaegar Shouroki F, Shamsaddini M R, Dehghani F. Association Between Shift Work, Neurocognitive Functioning, and Sleep Quality among Workers of Cement Industry in 2024. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2026; 15 (2) :144-151
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URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-1115-en.html
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1- Assistant Prof., Industrial Diseases Research Center, Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. , fkargar142@gmail.com
2- M.Sc. Student in HSE, Industrial Diseases Research Center, Department of HSE, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
3- Associate Prof., Dept. of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
2- M.Sc. Student in HSE, Industrial Diseases Research Center, Department of HSE, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
3- Associate Prof., Dept. of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
Article history
Received: 2025/10/24
Accepted: 2026/03/3
ePublished: 2026/06/30
Accepted: 2026/03/3
ePublished: 2026/06/30
Subject:
Occupational Health
Abstract: (26 Views)
Background: Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms and can result in sleep deprivation and cognitive impairments. This study aimed to examine the impact of shift work on cognitive performance, executive functions and skills, as well as sleep quality among workers in Iran's cement industry.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken among 200 workers of a large cement factory in Kerman city in 2024 (100 day workers and 100 shift workers). Sleep quality, executive functions, executive skills, and cognitive flexibility were determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), Executive Skills Questionnaire–Revised (ESQ-R), and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory by Dennis and Vander Wal (CFI), respectively. Data were analyzed via SPSS software version 22.
Results: Shift workers had significantly worse mean scores than day workers on the PSQI, ADEXI (working memory, inhibition, and total score), ESQ-R (planning, time management, and total score), and CFI (all subscales and total score). Poor sleep quality was observed in 75% of shift workers and 39% of day workers. There was a poorer sleep quality in the group over age 40 (64.40%) than in the group under age 40 (52.80%). Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between cognitive flexibility with sleep quality (r = -0.49, p<0.01), executive functions (r = -0.18, p<0.001), and executive skills (r = -0.26, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Shift work is linked to diminished sleep quality and impaired cognitive performance. Optimized shift scheduling and increasing awareness about sleep hygiene are recommended to mitigate these adverse effects.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken among 200 workers of a large cement factory in Kerman city in 2024 (100 day workers and 100 shift workers). Sleep quality, executive functions, executive skills, and cognitive flexibility were determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), Executive Skills Questionnaire–Revised (ESQ-R), and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory by Dennis and Vander Wal (CFI), respectively. Data were analyzed via SPSS software version 22.
Results: Shift workers had significantly worse mean scores than day workers on the PSQI, ADEXI (working memory, inhibition, and total score), ESQ-R (planning, time management, and total score), and CFI (all subscales and total score). Poor sleep quality was observed in 75% of shift workers and 39% of day workers. There was a poorer sleep quality in the group over age 40 (64.40%) than in the group under age 40 (52.80%). Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between cognitive flexibility with sleep quality (r = -0.49, p<0.01), executive functions (r = -0.18, p<0.001), and executive skills (r = -0.26, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Shift work is linked to diminished sleep quality and impaired cognitive performance. Optimized shift scheduling and increasing awareness about sleep hygiene are recommended to mitigate these adverse effects.
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