Circadian Rhythm Evaluation

• Shift work - support - Shift work has provided an understanding of the consequences of desynchronisation. for example, shift workers experienced low concentration periods at 6am, therefore were more likely to make mistakes. According to Knuttson 2003 - they were also 3x more likely to develop heart disease showing the relationship between shift work and poor health. This shows that the sleep/wake cycle research may have real world economic implications.
• Counterpoint to shift work - it may be difficult to establish desynchronisation of sleep/wake cycles to other factors. For example, Solomon (1993), found that high divorce rates in shift workers may be due to the strain of deprived sleep and missing family events. this suggests that biological factors may be creating adverse consequences associated with shift work.
• Research into circadian rhythms has been used to improve medical treatments.
• Circadian rhythms coordinate a number of the body's basic processes such as heart rate and digestion.
• The emergence of chronatherapeutics has allowed the administration of treatment corresponding to a person's biological rhythm.
• Aspirin for heart attacks is most effective when it is taken at night because it reduces the blood platelet activity as heart attacks are more likely to occur in the morning.
• Research support shows an increase in the effectiveness of drug treatments when administered according to a person's biological rhythm.