ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the effect of sleep loss, without the attendant causes, on performance. The effect of sleep loss on vision has real-world implications in security and defense. There has been a considerable amount of basic research on the effects of sleep loss on cognitive performance. There has also been applied research in the defense, public safety, and industry domains. Basic research has included assessing the effects of sleep loss on memory, tracking, speech, word associations, search, math, reading, and decision-making. The basic research in cognitive performance shows mixed results based on type of task and attributes of the subjects. Vigilance performance has long been used as an indicator of fatigue in both laboratory and operational settings. By far the most consistent effect and one of the most studied is the effect of sleep loss on vigilance with a clear preference for the use of the Psychomotor Vigilance Test.