HYGIENIC EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF NIGHT SHIFTS AND CIRCADIAN DISRUPTION ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Medical students, particularly those in their clinical years who balance academic duties with night shifts in healthcare facilities, are highly susceptible to circadian rhythm disruption. This study presents a hygienic and psychophysiological assessment of the impact of night-shift work on the cognitive performance, sleep quality, and autonomic nervous system status of medical students. Using chronobiological, psychophysiological testing, and statistical modeling, we evaluated the health risks associated with sleep deprivation in this cohort. The findings indicate a significant decline in attention stability, short-term memory, and sensorimotor reaction speed following night shifts, accompanied by autonomic imbalance. A modernized preventive framework, including chronohygienic education, optimized shift scheduling, and psychological relief protocols, is proposed to safeguard student-clinicians' health and clinical safety.