Laboratory Performance during Acute Intoxication and Hangover,
Abstract
Eleven private pilots (7 men and 4 women) were recruited and trained on the Multiple Task Performance Battery (MTPB), static and dynamic tracking of a localizer/glide slope instrument, a speech intelligibility test (single words with a background of aircraft noise), and use of the Intoxilyzer. The experiment comprised four test sessions (vodka, bourbon, placebo, and control sessions) held at weekly intervals. Sessions began at about 1700 and continued through midnight to about 1100 the next day. Subjects were tested in groups of 3 or 4 and were not told whether they were drinking alcohol or placebo. The ordering of sessions was approximately counter-balanced. Subjects were given all tests in the evening (before and after a monitored dinner), drank prepared beverages from 2030 to midnight, and were tested again. Subjects slept 4-5 hours, were awakened around 0700, fed, and performed all tasks again, beginning at 0800 (8 hours after they had finished drinking). Results showed clear deleterious effects of alcohol on the MTPB and the tracking tasks immediately following drinking. During the morning (hangover) tests scores on the MTPB and on the static and dynamic tracking tasks showed small circadian effects (scores were better) without impairment due to the alcohol. Speech perception scores were unaffected by alcohol; scores were always best in the evening and poorest in the morning. There were no congener effects. These results thus offer no evidence contrary to the 8-hour rule.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA069373
Entities
People
- W. Dean Chiles
- William E. Collins
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration