Dews (1984), however, states that the following three effects are clear: (1) it has the tendency to postpone sleep (2) it reduces the degradation of performance because of fatigue and boredom and (3) it decreases hand steadiness. Extensive reviews of caffeine (Dews, 1984 Weiss and Laties, 1962) conclude that its stimulant properties are weak in comparison with those of other drugs (e.g., amphetamine) and that its effects are modest, making detection of these effects difficult and generalizations cumbersome. Although caffeine has been the subject of pharmacological studies for several decades, the mechanism of action of its effects on the central nervous system have only recently been defined as a blockade of adenosine receptors (Choi et al., 1988 Fredholm, 1985 Snyder, 1984). It is believed to reverse the performance and mood effects seen during sleep deprivation, although it has not been tested systematically.Ĭaffeine has a long history of use and can be found in many common foods, drinks, and medications. Caffeine is a universally available, legal, and socially accepted and used stimulant with low toxicity and low abuse potential. Although effective, its restricted legal status and the psychological side effects associated with long-term use, coupled with its abuse potential, almost certainly prohibit large-scale use. The characteristics of stimulant drugs useful in specific military situations are not only effectiveness but low therapeutic toxicity and low abuse potential, d-Amphetamine was tested for its ability to reverse changes in mood, alertness, and cognitive performance after an extended period of sleep deprivation (Newhouse et al., 1989). This last category of solutions for preventing or ameliorating sleep deprivation effects is the topic of the research reported in this chapter. (3) Pharmacological solutions may be warranted in special circumstances, when adherence to doctrinal and behavioral solutions is not possible or breaks down. (2) Behavioral solutions make sure that soldiers sleep as much as they can, whenever they can (sleep discipline), while paying attention to where and how they sleep (sleep hygiene), that is, in as comfortable a position as possible, away from the noise and bustle of other soldiers and equipment. Three categories of solutions include the following: (1) Doctrinal solutions involve the overtraining of soldiers to perform their tasks with a minimum of cognitive effort ensuring that soldiers are cross-trained so that crew members can substitute for each other when necessary developing and adhering to appropriate work-rest cycles, including rotating crews as the mission permits developing efficient leadership tactics so that unnecessary demands are not placed on subordinates and modifying equipment and systems so that the likelihood of making errors is as small as possible. Sustaining optimum soldier performance relates to the prevention or amelioration of these changes. Alertness decreases, and there are changes in self-reported fatigue (increases) and vigor (decreases). There is a decline in the performance of accuracy tasks involving attention, reasoning abilities, and reaction time. Several studies have documented performance and mood changes during periods of sleep deprivation (Babkoff et al., 1989a,b Mikulincer et al., 1989 Thorne et al., 1983). The observable effects of this sleep disruption include decreased alertness, slowed thinking, lapses in attention, decreased motivation, and a performance phenomenon called the speed-accuracy-tradeoff. The demands and pace of continuous military operations produce sleep fragmentation and varying degrees of sleep deprivation in soldiers.
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