Understanding Bone Health in Night Shift Workers
Fractured Schedules: Skeletal Effects of Acute and Chronic Night Shift Work
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11141185
This work explores how working night shifts, both short-term and long-term, affects the strength and health of your bones.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11141185 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We know that night shift work can lead to issues like heart disease and metabolic problems, but its impact on bone health is less understood. This project looks at how changes in sleep and daily rhythms from night shifts might weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures. Researchers will observe people working night shifts to understand these effects and see if bones can recover or adapt over time. The goal is to learn more about how night shift work influences bone metabolism, density, and overall strength.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adults aged 21 and older who currently work or have worked night shifts.
Not a fit: Patients who do not work night shifts or are not concerned about bone health related to shift work may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify ways to protect the bone health of individuals who work night shifts, potentially reducing their risk of fractures.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in animals and some human observations suggest a link between sleep disruption, circadian rhythm changes, and bone health, but the acute and chronic effects of typical night shift schedules in humans are largely unknown.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER — Aurora, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SWANSON, CHRISTINE M — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- Study coordinator: SWANSON, CHRISTINE M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.