Resilience to Sleep Loss and Stress: A Framework for Investigation and Intervention
Abstract
Sleep loss and acute stress often occur simultaneously during military operations, but their combined effect on cognition - and therefore how to protect against any adverse effects - remains under-investigated. In this research project, we seek to develop a framework in which resilience to sleep loss and stress can be investigated separately and jointly. In a laboratory-based study, healthy young adults are assigned to one of four conditions: sleep deprivation only, stress only, combined sleep deprivation and stress, or control (no sleep deprivation or stress). Subjects' vigilant attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and dynamic risk awareness are tested twice: once immediately following a sham stress task during well-rested baseline, and again 24 h later, immediately following either a stress or sham stress task when subjects are either in a 39 h sleep deprivation or rested control condition. During this report period, we developed and finalized study procedures, began participant recruitment and screening, and completed data collection on the first 2 study participants. This work will allow us to develop a framework for the systematic investigation of the effect of sleep loss and stress on military operations, which will enable the development of targeted interventions that increase resilience against operational performance impairment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1190482
Entities
People
- Courtney Kurinec
- Hans P. Van Dongen
- Kimberly A Honn
Organizations
- Washington State University