Influence of Rotating Roaster on Visual Evoked Potentials in Pink Collar Shift Working Nursing Personnel

Sleep deprivation is common among nurses due to demanding schedules, potentially impacting cognition, and patient care. The effects of sleep deprivation on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in nurses remain unclear. Materials and Methods: This study included 30 rotating-shift nurses and age-matched day-shift controls. Participants completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and underwent visual evoked potential (VEP) testing (checkered pattern reversal) word after their shifts. VEP parameters, including N75, P100, N145 latency, amplitude, and waveform morphology, were analysed to assess the impact of sleep deprivation on visual processing. Results: The results revealed Epworth sleepiness scale values of (10.8±2.89) in shift workers as compared to their controls (7.2±3.1), significant alterations in VEP parameters following sleep deprivation. Nursing staff posted on rotatory night shifts exhibited prolonged latencies of N75, P100, N145 waves (82±5.13,107 ±7.02, 149± 6.91) respectively and reduced amplitudes of N75-P100, P100-N145 waves (5.515±1.91, 4.213±5.73) as compared to the day time controls indicative of compromised visual neural processing along with early sensory and higher order cortical processing. Discussion and Conclusion- Sleep deprivation exerts a detrimental influence on visual evoked potentials in nurses, indicating compromised visual neural processing. Addressing sleep-related factors is essential for maintaining cognitive function and ensuring high-quality patient care.