Daytime Sleepiness, Performance, Mood, Nocturnal Sleep: The Effect of Benzodiazepine and Caffeine on Their Relationship
Abstract
Daytime sleepiness is not only a clinical and research problem, it can have consequences in operational settings. Sleepiness and alertness are generally viewed as reciprocal and have been viewed as a function of the circadian cycle and of prior sleep and wakefulness. It has been clearly established that total or partial sleep loss results in decreased alertness and impaired performance, but the magnitude of the relationship between sleepiness and performance decrement has not been determined. This study further examined the relationships between daytime sleepiness, performance, mood and nocturnal sleep and how these relationships were influenced by the nighttime use of a benzodiazepine and ingestion of caffeine in the morning. Objective measures of daytime sleepiness were not significantly related to either performance or mood through those with greater sleep tendency generally reported better mood. Subjects with greater daytime sleep tendency had significantly longer and more efficient nocturnal sleep. Neither benzodiazepine or caffeine influenced these relationships. In contrast, higher subjective estimates of sleepiness were significantly associated with poorer mood and tended to be related to poorer performance. Subjects receiving caffeine did not show these relationships. Nocturnal sleep measures were not related to subjective estimates of daytime sleepiness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA210915
Entities
People
- C. L. Spinweber
- L. C. Johnson
- L. T. Matteson
- S. A. Gomez
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center