Unraveling the Impact of Travel on Circadian Rhythm and Crafting Optimal Management Approaches: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-10, Vol.16 (10), p.e71316
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Osman, Ibrahiam, Amir T, Al-Qassab, Zahraa M, Kannan, Vaishnavi, Ullah, Najeeb, Geddada, Sunitha, Nassar, Sondos T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air travel; Circadian rhythm; Integrative/Complementary Medicine; Internal Medicine; Jet lag; Light therapy; Literature reviews; Melatonin; Occupational Health; Sleep; Systematic review; Time zones; Travel; Well being
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.71316

Circadian rhythms, which regulate essential physiological and behavioral processes, are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. However, disruptions to these rhythms, particularly due to trans-meridian travel and shift work, can lead to significant health issues, including jet lag, metabolic imbalances, and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this systematic review, conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, we explore the effectiveness of various interventions aimed at realigning circadian rhythms disrupted by such factors. Focusing on studies published between 2020 and 2024, our search spanned databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, PubMed Central (PMC), and ScienceDirect, emphasizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and comprehensive reviews. A rigorous quality assessment using the AMSTAR tool for systematic reviews and the SANRA checklist for narrative reviews was employed. Out of an initial 2153 titles, 23 high-quality studies were identified and analyzed. The findings reveal that interventions such as melatonin supplementation, personalized light exposure, and chrono-modulation can significantly improve sleep quality, reduce jet lag symptoms, and promote better health outcomes. This review highlights the critical nature of circadian alignment in preventing serious health issues, such as mental health disorders, metabolic syndromes, and even cancer. It advocates for a personalized, integrative approach that combines melatonin, light therapy, time-restricted eating, exercise, and alternative therapies like electroacupuncture. Such strategies not only facilitate smoother transitions across time zones but also contribute to overall health and resilience. Future studies should aim to assess the long-term benefits and practical applications of these interventions in broader populations.