Author: Alisha Guyett
Guyett, Alisha, 2025 Applying Circadian-Informed Lighting to Accelerate Circadian Adjustment to Simulated Night Shifts, Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
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Circadian rhythms regulate bodily functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, over the 24-hour period. Circadian rhythms are primarily synchronised by light exposure. When light exposure patterns are disrupted, circadian rhythms can become misaligned with desired sleep-wake schedules. Shift workers are particularly vulnerable to circadian misalignment due to their irregular schedules. This thesis investigated a light-based intervention designed to reduce circadian misalignment in night shift workers, particularly submariners. This thesis demonstrated that circadian-informed lighting can effectively accelerate circadian adjustment to night shift work conditions. While group-level interventions are effective at phase delaying circadian rhythms, the findings suggest that personalised lighting could be more effective. This research establishes a foundation for developing more effective lighting interventions in shift work environments.
Keywords: sleep, circadian rhythm, light, shift work, submarine.
Subject: Public Health thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2025
School: College of Medicine and Public Health
Supervisor: Nicole Lovato