Simulated knowledge work decreases alertness in job burnout

Job-burnout has been associated with disturbed sleep, day time fatigue and cognitive weariness. Increased eye closure time per minute (ECT/min) has been used as an indicator of decreased alertness and daytime sleepiness. In people with burnout ECT/min increased after an 80-minute knowledge work session compared to baseline measured before starting working. This was not seen in control subject. ECT is a promising objective measure of daytime fatigue.