Caffeine might help some shift workers make fewer errors, a review of several studies on the subject suggests.
The review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, analyzed data from 13 randomized international trials studying the effects of caffeine on performance, mostly in simulated working conditions at a sleep laboratory.
Caffeine was given in the form of coffee, pills, energy drinks or caffeinated food.
None of the trials measured injuries directly. two trials measured errors such as inappropriate lane crossing during nighttime driving, and others used neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, perception and reasoning ability.
The pooled results of the trials suggested caffeine improved memory, orientation and attention, compared with a placebo, the researchers said.
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