A 90-minute nap followed by a 30-minute nap is more effective in putting off drowsiness and fatigue than a single 120-minute nap during the overnight duty, according to a new study.
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, analysed the data of pilot studies on night-shift naps conducted from 2012 to 2018.
“A 90-minute nap to maintain long-term performance and a 30-minute nap to maintain lower fatigue levels and fast reactions, as a strategic combination of naps, can be valuable for early morning work efficiency and safety,” said study sole author Sanae Oriyama, a nursing science professor at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.
Oriyama reexamined past pilot studies to compare alertness and performance after taking a nap and throughout a simulated 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. shift. And found that single 120-minute nap ending at midnight experienced worse drowsiness.
However, two naps -- the 90-minute one lasting until midnight and the 30-minute one ending at 3 a.m. -- staved off drowsiness.
“I want to be able to combine multiple naps, depending on the type of work and time of day, and choose naps that are effective at reducing drowsiness, fatigue, and maintaining performance,” Oriyama said.
