Placebo-Controlled Studies of Sustaining the Alertness and Flight Performance of Aviators with Dexedrine

Abstract

Dextroamphetanmine (Dexedrine) is a stimulant capable of temporarily reversing many of the effects of sleep deprivation. This report substantiates the efficacy of Dexedrine for aviation sustained operations. Specifically it is shown that this countermeasure maintains flight skills psychological mood and physiological activation in sleep-deprived pilots. Dexedrine's positive impact is not offset by marked disruptions In recovery sleep although "lighter sleep" was noted after the drug than after placebo. It is concluded that Dexedrine is a viable remedy for fatigue in aviation sustained operations but it is not a substitute for proper crew-rest scheduling. There is no replacement for adequate restful sleep.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADP013767

Entities

People

  • John A. Caldwell
  • K. K. Hall

Organizations

  • United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Arousal (Physiology)
  • Central Nervous System
  • Helicopters
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nervous System
  • Neurology
  • New York
  • Pilots
  • Psychology
  • Psychophysiology
  • Scheduling (Production)
  • Simulators
  • Situational Awareness
  • Sleep Deprivation

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Systems Analysis and Design