The beneficial influence of night-shift napping on brain core cognition networks in nurses experiencing sleep deprivation: A preliminary resting-state fMRI study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the restorative effects of napping on cognitive brain networks in night-shift nurses experiencing sleep deprivation (SD).

METHODS

Functional magnetic resonance imaging data and neurocognitive assessments were collected from 20 nurses during three sessions (rested wakefulness (RW), SD, and night-shift napping (NS-NAP)). Functional connectivity (FC) was performed in three core cognitive networks, including the default-mode network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), and salience network (SN).

RESULTS

The SD session showed decreased FC across almost the entire DMN, while only showed increased FC in several key nodes of the CEN and SN. Napping partially mitigated SD-related FC alterations within the DMN and essentially restored FC abnormities in both the CEN and SN. Changes in neurocognitive performance observed between SD and NS-NAP sessions were correlated with alterations in FC within the DMN.

CONCLUSION

The functional integration of core neurocognitive networks can be restored to varying degrees through appropriate NS-NAP practices, potentially improving neurocognitive performance in nurses experiencing SD.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: not applicable.