Napping, Stimulant, and Four Choice Performance
Abstract
The primary purpose of this paper is to determine whether a short sleep (nap) can maintain human cognitive functions during a long continuous work period. In continuous work environments, the normal 7-8 hour period of nocturnal sleep is not allowed. Instead, work continues in time periods longer than 24 hours. A long work period causes cognitive decrements due to fatigue and sleepiness. Can naps prevent such decrements? More specifically, can a sleep/ wake schedule of a 20-min sleep every 6 hours prevent cognitive degradation during a continuous work period of 64 hours? The present chapter reports on the effects of the 20-min/340-min sleep/wake schedule on cognitive functions during a 64-hr work period. The 20/340 sleep/wake schedule was chosen for the study on the basis of previously published experimental studies. They suggest that short naps prevent cognitive decrements during a long continuous work period.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 14, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA230366
Entities
People
- Harvey Babkoff
- Paul Naitoh
- Tamsin L. Kelly
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center