Aspects of sleep and neurobehavioral functions in professional drivers of heavy vehicles: literature review

Abstract

Truck drivers have typically irregular working hours and they must frequently reverse the sleep-wake cycle which leads them to a chronic partial sleep privation. This situation tpredispose them to high levels of stress, to the use of psycho stimulants and drugs to eating disorders and to sedentarism and the development of chronic diseases. This study aimed to review the sleep-wake cycle and the neurobehavioral changes in this population. The authors performed a discussion of 38 selected articles on Medline, Cochrane Library, Scielo and Lilacs, based on descriptors such as sleep disorders, vehicle driving, behavioral manifestations during the period 1997 to 2010. The authors emphasized on this study epidemiological aspects related factors, the evaluation protocols, instruments used, methods of treatment to neurobehavioral disorders and their impact on labor, health and society. A full analysis to look for qualified professionals in the field of occupational health is strongly recommended for admission, periodic examinations and for a dismissal of those employees. More study is needed to delineate which types of protocols most be useful in clinical practice, to develop treatment strategies that addresses the needs of this population