The Effects of Modafinil on Aviator Performance During 40 Hours of Continuous Wakefulness: A UH-60 Helicopter Simulator Study

Abstract

This research evaluated the efficacy of the stimulant modafinil for sustaining simulator flight performance, cognitive skill, psychological mood, and central nervous system (CNS) activation in helicopter pilots who had been deprived of sleep. Six Army helicopter pilots were each exposed to two 40-hour periods of continuous wakefulness separated by one night of recovery sleep. In one of the periods, three 200-mg doses of modafinil were given (at 2300, 0300, and 0700) and in the other period, matching placebo tablets were administered. Testing sessions, which included UH-60 simulator flights, EEG evaluations, Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires, a desktop flight simulator task, and the Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB), were conducted at 0900, 1300, and 1700 on baseline days, and at 0100, 0500, 0900, 1300, and 1700 during sleep deprivation periods. Modafinil significantly attenuated the effects of sleep deprivation on four of the six flight maneuvers. Performance on the straight-and-levels, straight descents, left standard-rate turns, and left descending turn was maintained at or near baseline levels by modafinil, whereas performance suffered under placebo. In addition, modafinil reduced the amount of slow-wave EEG activity (indicative of reduced CNS activation), lessened self-reported problems with mood and alertness (diminished vigor, energy, confidence, etc.), and curtailed the performance decrements (slower response times, increased response lapses, and elevated tracking errors) that were found under placebo. The most noticeable benefits from the drug were seen between approximately 0330 and 1130 when the combined impact of sleep loss and the circadian trough was most severe. The positive effects of this compound were not offset by disruptions in recovery-sleep architecture.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA365558

Entities

People

  • David N. Norman
  • J. L. Caidwell
  • John A. Caidwell Jr
  • Kecia K. Hall
  • Nicholas K. Smythe Iii

Organizations

  • United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Brain
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Central Nervous System
  • Dyssomnias
  • Flight Maneuvers
  • Flight Simulators
  • Health Services
  • Heart Rate
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Psychology
  • Psychophysiology
  • Side Effects
  • Simulators
  • Sleep Deprivation

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology