Circadian Rhythms AO3

• +Shift work creates desynchronisation of biological rhythms. Boivin found shift workers experience a lapse of concentration around 6am (circadian trough) so accidents are more likely to happen. Research suggests a link between shift work and poor health. Knutsson found shift workers were 3x more likely to develop heart disease. Research into the s/ cycle may have economic implications in terms of how to best manage shift work.
• -However, the research is correlational so desynchronisation may not be the cause of observed difficulties. Solomon concluded that high divorce rates in shift workers might be due to missing out on important family events. This suggests it may not be the biological factors that create the adverse consequences associated with shift-work.
• +Circadian rhythms coordinate the body's basic processes (heart rate, hormone levels) with implications for chronotherapeutics (timing medication to maximise effects on the body). Aspirin reduces heart tate attacks, which are most common in the morning. Bonten found taking aspirin is most effective last thing at night. This shows that circadian rhythm research can help increase the effectiveness of drug treatments.
• -Studies of the s/w cycle often use small groups of participants or individuals. These may not be representative of the wider population and this limits making meaningful generalisations. Siffre observed that his internal clock ticked much more slowly at 60 than when he was younger. This suggests that even when the same person is involved, there are factors that may prevent general conclusions being drawn.