Good sleep quality (Health factor for workers with an MSD or CMD)

Interpretation of the “Good sleep quality” factor

Good sleep quality has a positive influence on RTW or sickness absence duration.

Definition of the “Good sleep quality” factor

Short definition: Good sleep quality refers to ease in falling asleep at bedtime and staying asleep during the night. The feeling of being well-rested upon awakening is also a characteristic of good quality sleep.  Conversely, disturbed sleep is characterized by a high frequency of nocturnal awakenings that cause a feeling of daytime drowsiness. This daytime drowsiness interferes with activities of daily living (Akerstedt, 2003; Knutson et al., 2017; Sieurin, Josephson et Vingard, 2009).

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Good sleep quality positively influences RTW in workers with an MSD (Hara et al., 2018; Reme, Hagen et Eriksen, 2009) or CMD (Gustafsson et al., 2013; Hara et al., 2018). On the other hand, different factors can cause poor sleep quality (Sateia, Doghramji, Hauri et Morin, 2000), but the results of several studies indicate that working conditions are a frequent source of disturbed sleep (Harma, Tenkanen, Sjoblom, Alikoski et Heinsalmi, 1998; Kuppermann et al., 1995).  For example, one group of researchers found that the mental and physical efforts expended at work, as self-evaluated by the employees, were predictors of sleep disturbances, and were more accurate than any other objective indicators (Marquie, Foret et Queinnec, 1999). Moreover, it appears that high psychological demands combined with low decision latitude is associated with poor quality sleep (Akerstedt et al., 2002; Theorell et al., 1988). It is also worth noting that individuals who experience a high degree of satisfaction at work have fewer sleep problems than those who are dissatisfied (Kuppermann et al., 1995) and that average or high levels of social support at work help reduce the risk of sleep disturbances (Akerstedt et al., 2002).

Akerstedt, T. (2003). Shift work and disturbed sleep/wakefulness. Occup Med (Lond), 53(2), 89-94. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqg046

Akerstedt, T., Knutsson, A., Westerholm, P., Theorell, T., Alfredsson, L. et Kecklund, G. (2002). Sleep disturbances, work stress and work hours: a cross-sectional study. J Psychosom Res, 53(3), 741-748. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(02)00333-1

Gustafsson, K., Lundh, G., Svedberg, P., Linder, J., Alexanderson, K. et Marklund, S. (2013). Psychological factors are related to return to work among long-term sickness absentees who have undergone a multidisciplinary medical assessment. J Rehabil Med, 45(2), 186-191. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1077

Hara, K. W., Bjorngaard, J. H., Jacobsen, H. B., Borchgrevink, P. C., Johnsen, R., Stiles, T. C., . . . Woodhouse, A. (2018). Biopsychosocial predictors and trajectories of work participation after transdiagnostic occupational rehabilitation of participants with mental and somatic disorders: a cohort study. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 1014. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5803-0

Harma, M., Tenkanen, L., Sjoblom, T., Alikoski, T. et Heinsalmi, P. (1998). Combined effects of shift work and life-style on the prevalence of insomnia, sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness. Scand J Work Environ Health, 24(4), 300-307. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.324

Knutson, K. L., Phelan, J., Paskow, M. J., Roach, A., Whiton, K., Langer, G., . . . Hirshkowitz, M. (2017). The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Health Index. Sleep Health, 3(4), 234-240. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2017.05.011

Kuppermann, M., Lubeck, D. P., Mazonson, P. D., Patrick, D. L., Stewart, A. L., Buesching, D. P. et Filer, S. K. (1995). Sleep problems and their correlates in a working population. Journal of general internal medicine, 10 25-32.

Marquie, J. C., Foret, J. et Queinnec, Y. (1999). Effects of age, working hours, and job content on sleep: a pilot study. Exp Aging Res, 25(4), 421-427. doi: 10.1080/036107399243896

Reme, S. E., Hagen, E. M. et Eriksen, H. R. (2009). Expectations, perceptions, and physiotherapy predict prolonged sick leave in subacute low back pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 10 139. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-10-139

Sateia, M. J., Doghramji, K., Hauri, P. J. et Morin, C. M. (2000). Evaluation of chronic insomnia. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine review. Sleep, 23(2), 243-308. Tiré de

Sieurin, L., Josephson, M. et Vingard, E. (2009). Positive and negative consequences of sick leave for the individual, with special focus on part-time sick leave. Scand J Public Health, 37(1), 50-56. doi: 10.1177/1403494808097171

Theorell, T., Perski, A., Akerstedt, T., Sigala, F., Ahlberg-Hulten, G., Svensson, J. et Eneroth, P. (1988). Changes in job strain in relation to changes in physiological state. A longitudinal study. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 14(3), 189-196. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1932

Tools for measuring the “Good sleep quality” factor