#0041 Exploratory study of brain waves and corresponding brain regions of fatigue on-call doctors using quantitative electroencephalogram
Doctors Face Fatigue Regularly and It Shows in Their Brain Waves
Fatigue is an unpleasant state that people usually find themselves in after working too much without appropriate rest. Characterized by extreme tiredness and lower physical and mental performance, fatigue is something to be avoided at all costs when lives are on the line.
Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that on-call doctors regularly work up to 30-hour long shifts with as little as an hour of sleep in between, which leaves them fatigued. Despite evidence of this happening in many parts of the world, some argue that fatigue is subjective and that doctors can withstand it without problem. Could there be a reliable, quantitative way to measure fatigue in doctors?
In our study, we achieved this by using electroencephalography (EEG). The electric currents inside the brain can be measured non-invasively on the scalp via EEG, and brain waves of various frequencies can be easily identified. We focused on alpha, beta, and theta waves, which are related to different states of relaxedness, alertness, and drowsiness, respectively.
We performed EEG measurements on doctors before and after their 30-hour shift, both during wakeful rest and while performing a simple cognitive task that demands focus. We also had doctors complete a survey to assess their subjective feelings of fatigue. By comparing the changes in intensity of the different brain waves across the scalp, we found that beta and theta waves were significantly increased after these long shifts. This is unambiguous evidence that doctors are fatigued and under considerable mental strain when performing tasks at the end of their shift.
Though previous studies had used EEG to measure fatigue in drivers and pilots, we are the first to use it to analyze fatigue in doctors. Considering that the safety of patients is in their hands, it is critical that counter-measures are taken to prevent fatigue in doctors. Our results will hopefully lead to better policies regarding doctors’ working hours and novel methods to objectively measure fatigue in the workplace.
Link to the original journal article:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/1348-9585.12121
Title of the paper:
Exploratory study of brain waves and corresponding brain regions of fatigue on-call doctors using quantitative electroencephalogram
Authors:
Gregory Xavier, Anselm Su Ting, and Norsiah Fauzan
