Le rôle et les effets physiologiques de la lumière : sommeil et horloge biologique dans le travail de nuit et posté

Health consequences of shift work are important. Sleep, wake and biological rhythm disorders have been clearly identified in shift workers. They are mainly due to an inappropriate entrainment (synchronization) of the biological circadian clock to the work schedule, and possibly with a state of chronic sleep debt. The goal of this review article is to provide the reader with background information, in order (1) to understand the chronobiological origin of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders affecting shift workers, (2) to use chronobiological approaches to treat these sleep disorders. Phototherapy techniques are commonly employed to treat skin diseases (UV phototherapy); they can also be used to treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders and alleviate symptoms related to shift work (visible phototherapy).