Excessive sleepiness in shift work disorder: a narrative review of the last 5 years

Three randomized controlled trials indicate the efficacy of armodafinil in improving subjective and objective sleepiness in shift workers.

• Armodafinil improved clinical conditions and global functioning among shift workers regardless of shift duration.
• Performance in driving simulator tests showed better results during night shifts after armodafinil administration compared to placebo.
• The drug reduced subjective disability in individuals working more than 9 hours, but alertness remained reduced and not fully normalized.
• Preventing disturbances from shift work may involve ergonomic shift design and work-environment interventions like controlled bright light.
• Health personnel play a critical role in identifying factors that may lead to intolerance of shift work or early symptoms of shift work sleep disorder.

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