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Neurological Sciences

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01-03-2022 | Insomnia | Original Article

The cognitive impact of guard shifts in physicians: a before-after study

Authors: Cristina Benítez-Provedo, Blanca Talavera, David García-Azorín, Alberto Marcos-Dolado

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Objective

We intend to evaluate the change of different cognitive functions after a guard shift in physicians.

Methods

A descriptive observational study was performed. The study population included Spanish physicians who were asked to complete before and immediately after their guard shift the following tests: Digit Span, TMT-A, TMT-B, Symbol Digit, Stroop, Free and Cued Selective Reminding, creep and formal fluency, Visual Orientation and Space Perception tests, and the Leeds Sleep Questionnaire.

Results

Thirty subjects were included in the study among which 43.3% were female. The mean subjective impression of the guard shift was 4.47/10 (2.57) and was correlated with the number of sleep hours during the guard shift (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences in the comparison between pre- and post-guard period results were found for the Symbol Digit test (88.27 vs. 81.47, p = 0.005), Digit Span test (7.43 vs. 7.00, p = 0.025), Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (22.73 vs. 21.20, p = 0.002), categorical fluency (39.03 vs. 34.53, p = 0.008), and phonemic fluency (19.57 vs. 16.13, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The realization of guard shift was associated with a lower yield in several cognitive functions, especially in tasks related to executive function and attention.

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Title: The cognitive impact of guard shifts in physicians: a before-after study
Authors: Cristina Benítez-Provedo
Blanca Talavera
David García-Azorín
Alberto Marcos-Dolado
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Insomnia
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05501-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The cognitive impact of guard shifts in physicians: a before-after study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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