Facilitative Effects on Performance Following Modification of Circadian Rhythms.
Abstract
The effects of Bright light (BL) Non-steriodal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and caffeine on nighttime melatonin, body temperature, alertness, and performance were studied across 48 hours of sleep deprivation. A total of 180 subjects participated (80 male college students in two primary experiments and 100 subjects in secondary experiments). All secondary experiments are presented in the Appendices. Participants in the primary experiments were assigned to either a dim-light (DL) placebo condition, NSAIDs condition-400 mg of ibuprofen, a 200 mg of caffeine condition (twice during the nighttime), a BL condition, or a combined bright and caffeine condition. BL was 2,000 lux or greater; DL was 100 lux or less. The BL condition and the caffeine condition had immediate effect on nighttime melatonin and temperature levels. These latter two conditions decreased melatonin levels and sharply attenuated the normal nocturnal decrease in temperature. However, the combined treatment of BL and caffeine produced the greatest decrease in melatonin and the highest levels of temperature. NSAIDs decreased melatonin relative to placebo, but showed little effect on temperature. Both conditions of BL and caffeine enhanced performance during the nighttime hours. BL tended to enhance performance for tasks without a memory component but had no significant effect on alertness. In contrast, caffeine enhanced alertness and performance for tasks with or without strong memory components. But the combined treatment of BL and caffeine was the most powerful for enhancing all measures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA313653
Entities
People
- Pietro Badia
Organizations
- Bowling Green State University