The Effect of a Nap and Bright Light on University Students' Performance and Stress after Night Shift Work

Abstract

This study carried out two kinds of experiment in order to improve university student's human performance such as multiple-reaction task, occupational suitability test, addition test, and stress using an E.E.G. after night shift work. Experiment I investigated the effect of a one-hour nap while experiment II investigated the effect of bright light (BL) after a one-hour nap. Four days were required to complete each of the experiments since there were four levels of nap-time (no nap, 7:00, 11:00, and 15:00) in experiment I and four conditions (no nap & no BL, no nap & BL, nap & no BL, and nap & BL) in experiment II. As a result, taking a one-hour nap from 15:00 to 16:00 seemed to be more effective than other nap times for human performance and stress in experiment I. Human performance, such as in the occupational suitability test, was found to be improved by both one nap from 11:00 to 12:00 and bright light in experiment II.