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Review
. 2021 Dec 23;19(1):120.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19010120.

Measurement Methods of Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Sleep Behaviour Aboard Ships: A Systematic Review

Fiona Kerkamm  1 , Dorothee Dengler  1 , Matthias Eichler  1 , Danuta Materzok-Köppen  1 , Lukas Belz  1 , Felix Alexander Neumann  2 , Birgit Christiane Zyriax  2 , Volker Harth  1 , Marcus Oldenburg  1
Affiliations
Review

Measurement Methods of Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Sleep Behaviour Aboard Ships: A Systematic Review

Fiona Kerkamm et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Since seafarers are known to be exposed to numerous job-related stress factors that can cause fatigue, sleepiness, and disturbed sleep behaviour, the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the subjective and objective measurement methods of these strains. Using a systematic review, 166 studies were identified within the period of January 2010 to December 2020 using the PubMed database. Of the 21 studies selected, 13 used both subjective and objective measurement methods. Six studies used only subjective and two studies only objective methods. For subjective assessment, 12 different questionnaires could be identified as well as activity and sleeping logs. Actigraphy and reaction time tests (RTT) were the most common objective methods. In single cases, electrooculography (EOG), pupillometry and ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) were used. Measurement-related limitations due to vessel-related impacts were less often reported than expected. No restrictions of daily routines on board were described, and only single-measurement disturbances due to ship movements were mentioned. The present literature review reveals that there are various routines to measure fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep behaviour on board. A combination of subjective and objective methods often appears to be beneficial. The frequent use of actigraphy and RTT on board suggests good feasibility and reliable measurements with these methods. The use of ambulatory PSG in maritime-like contexts suggests that this method would also be feasible on board.

Keywords: actigraphy; fatigue; measurement method; polysomnography; pupillometry; seafaring; sleep; sleepiness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study, in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Search strategy on maritime studies of fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep behaviour following the PRISMA statement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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