Anthony Wagstaff

• Goffeng, Elisabeth Martinsen; Nordby, Karl-Christian; Tarvainen, Mika P.; Järvelin-Pasanen, Susanna; Wagstaff, Anthony; Skare, Øivind & Lie, Jenny-Anne Sigstad (2019). Cardiac Autonomic Activity in Commercial Aircrew During an Actual Flight Duty Period. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance.  ISSN 2375-6314.  90(11), s 945- 952 . doi: 10.3357/AMHP.5389.2019 Vis sammendrag

  BACKGROUND: The work schedules of airline crewmembers include extended workdays, compressed work periods, and limited time for recovery, which may lead to cardiovascular strain and fatigue. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in heart rate variability (HRV) during work and sleep, and with respect to work characteristics and breaks. METHODS: We followed 49 airline crewmembers during four consecutive workdays of ≥39 h. Data included HRV measurements, a questionnaire, and sleep/work diaries. HRV parameters include root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), standard deviation of the normal beat-to-beat differences (SDNN), and the low and high frequency ratio (LF/HF). RESULTS: The results indicate higher levels of cardiovascular strain on the 4th compared to the 1st workday, most prominent among cabin crewmembers. In this group, we observed indications of decreased cardiovascular strain by increasing duration of sleep, demonstrated by increased RMSSD (B = 2.7, 95% CI 1.6, 3.8) and SDNN (B = 4.4, 95% CI 3.0, 5.7), and decreased LF/HF (B = −0.2, 95% CI, −0.4,−0.01). Similarly, longer duration of breaks was associated with lower cardiovascular strain, indicated by increased RMSSD (B = 0.1, 95% CI 0.03, 0.1) and SDNN (B = 0.1, 95% CI 0.1, 0.1). Among pilots, increased LF/HF indicated higher cardiovascular strain in those who often or always reported of high workload (B = 4.3, 95% CI 2.3, 6.3; and B = 7.3, 95% CI 3.2, 11.4, respectively). DISCUSSION: The results support the contention that the studied work period increases cardiac strain among airline crew. Work characteristics, breaks, and sleep are associated with changes in HRV.

• Goffeng, Elisabeth Martinsen; Wagstaff, Anthony; Nordby, Karl-Christian; Meland, Anders; Goffeng, Lars Ole; Skare, Øivind; Lilja, Didrik & Lie, Jenny-Anne Sigstad (2019). Risk of fatigue among airline crew during 4 consecutive days of flight duty. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance.  ISSN 2375-6314.  90(5), s 466- 474 . doi: 10.3357/AMHP.5236.2019 Vis sammendrag

  BACKGROUND: Airline crew are being exposed to extended workdays and compressed work periods, with quick returns between duties, implying a heightened physiological and psychological strain that may lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue. The aim of the study was assessment of the effect of an extended day of flight duty and a compressed work week with regard to recovery, cumulative fatigue, and neurobehavioral performance. METHODS: We followed 18 pilots and 41 cabin crewmembers during four consecutive days of flight duty, comprising a total of ≥ 39 h, where the first day was ≥ 10 h. Information on demographics, work characteristics, health status, and physical activity was collected at baseline. Subjects completed logs for the first and fourth workday, including the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Checklist at three time points during these workdays. Two computer-based neurobehavioral tests were completed the evening prior to the first shift, and after the first and the fourth day of the work period. RESULTS: Number of flight sectors during the work period was 10–20. Self-reported fatigue levels increased during the workdays. Neurobehavioral test-scores did not deteriorate. The effects of each additional flight sector during the work period was elevated reaction times (RT) both among cabin crewmembers (B = 5.05 ms, 95% CI 0.6, 9.5) and pilots (B = 4.95 ms, 95% CI 0.4, 9.5). Precision was unaffected. DISCUSSION: Airline pilots and cabin crewmembers seem to obtain satisfactory sleep before and during the period of 4 consecutive days. The association between multiple flight sectors and increased fatigue supports previous findings.

• Goffeng, Elisabeth Martinsen; Nordby, Karl-Christian; Tarvainen, Mika P.; Järvelin-Pasanen, Susanna; Wagstaff, Anthony; Goffeng, Lars Ole; Bugge, Merete Drevvatne; Skare, Øivind & Lie, Jenny-Anne Sigstad (2018). Fluctuations in heart rate variability of health care workers during four consecutive extended work shifts and recovery during rest and sleep. Industrial Health.  ISSN 0019-8366.  56(2), s 122- 131 . doi: 10.2486/indhealth.2017-0100 Vis sammendrag

  The aim of this study was to investigate fluctuations in heart rate variability (HRV), which reflect autonomic nervous system (ANS) function and potential psychological and physical strain, among 24 health care workers during work and sleep during four consecutive extended work shifts. Data included 24/36/12 h of HRV measurements, two logbooks, and a questionnaire. A cross-shift/cross-week design was applied. HRV was measured during work, leisure time, and sleep. The HRV data included time-domain [mean RR, SD of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN), and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD)] and frequency-domain [low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio] parameters. HRV parameters revealed significant differences among work, leisure time, and sleep. Mean RR, RMSSD, and SDNN values were lower and the LF/HF ratio was higher on the first versus last day of the work period; however, the differences were most prominent in the morning hours. The results indicate higher levels of cardiovascular stress on the first versus fourth day of the working period, and measurements at night indicate a satisfactory recovery from the extended shifts.

• Meland, Anders; Fonne, Vivianne; Wagstaff, Anthony & Pensgaard, Anne Marte (2015). Mindfulness-Based Mental Training in a High-Performance Combat Aviation Population: A One-Year Intervention Study and Two-Year Follow-Up. The International journal of aviation psychology.  ISSN 1050-8414.  25(1), s 48- 61 . doi: 10.1080/10508414.2015.995572 Vis sammendrag

  This study tested the feasibility and value of mindfulness training (MT) in a Norwegian military combat aircraft squadron (n = 21). No objective measures of performance were included in this study. Subjective measures of mindfulness, mental skills, and performance-related anxiety were administered before and after the intervention, including a semistructured interview at the study’s conclusion after the intervention. Qualitative feedback and measures of mindfulness were collected via e-mail at 12 and 24 months during follow-up. During posttraining, there was a reduction in somatic anxiety related to performance and improvements in self-perceived skills associated with mindfulness, attention regulation, and arousal regulation. Mindfulness scores remained higher throughout the follow-up. Time-consuming plenary sessions and the amount of recommended, out-of-class training were found to be potential drawbacks of MT. Overall the findings indicate that MT might be a viable complement to existing mental training for high-performance populations.

• Hansen, Tor Are S.; Kåsin, Jan Ivar; Edvardsen, Anne; Christensen, Carl Christian & Wagstaff, Anthony Sverre (2012). Arterial Oxygen Pressure Following Whole-Body Vibration at Altitude. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine.  ISSN 0095-6562.  83(4), s 431- 435 . doi: 10.3357/ASEM.3195.2012
• Kåsin, Jan Ivar; Kjellevand, Tor Ole; Kjekshus, John; Nesheim, Geir B. & Wagstaff, Anthony Sverre (2012). CT Examination of the Pericardium and Lungs in Helicopter Pilots Exposed to Vibration and Noise. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine.  ISSN 0095-6562.  83(9), s 858- 864 . doi: 10.3357/ASEM.3209.2012
• Wagstaff, Anthony Sverre & Lie, Jenny-Anne Sigstad (2011). Shift and night work and long working hours - a systematic review of safety implications. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health.  ISSN 0355-3140.  37(3), s 173- 185 . doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3146 Vis sammendrag

  Objective In order to devise effective preventive strategies, it is important to study workplace stressors that might increase the risk of workplace accidents − both affecting workers themselves as well as causing harm to third-parties. The aim of this report is to provide a systematic, updated overview and scientific review of empirical research regarding accidents in relation to long work hours and shift work, primarily based on epidemiological studies. Methods The search for articles was part of a large review study on the effects of work hours on various health outcomes, safety, and performance. The search strategy included 5 international scientific databases, and nearly 7000 articles were initially identified using our search string. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 443 publications were found and evaluated using a pre-defined scoring system. Of these, 43 concerned safety and accidents but only 14 were considered to be of high quality (total score 2 or 3 on a scale from 0−3) and therefore used for this study. Results Both shift work and long working hours present a substantial and well-documented detrimental effect on safety − all the studies that are included in this review have one or more significant findings in this respect. The trends are quite coherent although the increases in accident rates are mostly from 50% to 100%. In epidemiological terms, this may be seen as rather small differences. The use of such data is therefore only of importance if the accident incidence is high or if accidents may have large effects. Conclusions The findings are most relevant to safety-critical activities such as the transport and health sectors. Work periods >8 hours carry an increased risk of accidents that cumulates, so that the increased risk of accidents at around 12 hours is twice the risk at 8 hours. Shift work including nights carries a substantial increased risk of accidents, whereas “pure” night work may bring some protection against this effect due to resynchronization. The evaluated studies give no clear indications of any age or gender being specifically susceptible or protected against the effects of work times scheduling on accident risk.

Se alle arbeider i Cristin

• Wagstaff, Anthony & Tellnes, Gunnar (2017). Arbeidsmedisin og helsefremmende samhandling. Utposten.  ISSN 0800-5680.  46(3)

Se alle arbeider i Cristin