Fatigue Countermeasures for Rapid Deployment: Operation Pegasus
Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of slow-release caffeine (SRC) and melatonin (MLT) on sleep and daytime vigilance and SRC or MLT as chronobiotics after a 7-time zone eastbound flight. Three groups of 9 US Air Force reservists each received either five daily doses of SRC (300 mg), four nightly doses of MLT (5 mg) or the appropriate placebo for SRC or MLT in a double-blind, randomized manner. Nighttime sleep was evaluated by polysomnography and daytime vigilance by Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) and continuous wrist actigraphy. Cognitive function was assessed by computerized tests from the AGARD-NATO STRES Battery. Attention was also assessed with a symbol cancellation task and the Stroop test and alertness was gauged by a visual analogue scale (VAS). All tests but nighttime sleep and neuroendocrine samples were performed in two blocks, during the AM and PM. Core temperature was continuously measured and safety of treatment was assessed from repeated clinical examinations. Saliva and urine were sampled before the flight in the United States for a baseline (from Day -2 to Day 0) and after the flight in France (from Day 1 to Day 10). Saliva was collected once a day on waking to determine saliva melatonin and cortisol concentrations. in addition, concentrations of caffeine in saliva were determined three times a day and 6-sulphatoxymelatonin in urine also was collected upon awakening.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA426254
Entities
People
- Didier Lagarde
- Jeff Whitmore
- Jon French
- Maurice Beaumont
- Terrell Scoggins
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory