Sleep medicine
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The aim of this study was to examine the effects of extended work hours (10 h on, 14 h off for 21 days) on sleep and sleepiness in an extreme and isolated environment in the far north (Spitsbergen, 78 degrees north). We wanted to examine whether sleep duration, sleepiness and other parameters changed over the 3-week working period and whether the parameters differed between day and night shifts. ⋯ There were few differences between the day and night shift periods and across the 21-day working period, as measured both subjectively and objectively. The subjects experienced few problems and seemed to adapt easily to their work schedule. This contrasts with what is usually the case in more conventional shift work situations, where workers do not adapt well, as measured by sleepiness and various sleep parameters.