OBJECTIVE This study used reaction time (RT) as an objective marker of cognitive fatigue and fatigability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHOD RT was measured in fifteen healthy controls and in thirty MS patients with cognitive fatigue identified with the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Function (FSMC). Secondary fatigue was excluded through the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and ...

The present contribution presents two field studies combining tools and methods from cognitive psychology and from occupational psychology in order to perform a thorough investigation of workload in employees. Cognitive load theory proposes to distinguish different load categories of working memory, in a context of instruction. Intrinsic load is inherent to the task, extraneous load refers to c...

Scientific research on the effects of essential oils on human behavior lags behind the promises made by popular aromatherapy. Nearly all aspects of human behavior are closely linked to processes of attention, the basic level being that of alertness, which ranges from sleep to wakefulness. In our study we measured the influence of essential oils and components of essential oils [peppermint, jasm...

STUDY OBJECTIVES Previous studies have demonstrated short-wavelength sensitivity for the acute alerting response to nocturnal light exposure. We assessed daytime spectral sensitivity in alertness, performance, and waking electroencephalogram (EEG). DESIGN Between-subjects (n = 8 per group). SETTING Inpatient intensive physiologic monitoring unit. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen healthy young adults ...

BACKGROUND Because malaria in endemic areas presents a serious threat to the health of aircrew, optimal prevention is important. An effective and safe prophylactic antimalarial drug is needed. The combination of 250 mg atovaquone with 100 mg proguanil HCl (atovaquone/proguanil, or A/P) has shown good prophylactic efficacy and tolerance for prevention of falciparum malaria. However, medication f...

The negative effects of sleep deprivation on alertness and cognitive performance suggest decreases in brain activity and function, primarily in the thalamus, a subcortical structure involved in alertness and attention, and in the prefrontal cortex, a region subserving alertness, attention, and higher-order cognitive processes. To test this hypothesis, 17 normal subjects were scanned for quantif...

BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in using complementary and alternative treatments to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia such as agitation, aggression and depressed mood. OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of foot massage (intervention) and quiet presence (control) on agitation and mood in people with dementia. DESIGN A randomised controlled trial using a within-s...

OBJECTIVES Previous research has produced conflicting evidence on the relative merits of advancing and delaying shift systems. The current study assessed the effects of the direction of shift rotation within 8 hour systems, upon a range of measures including sleep, on shift alertness, physical health, and psychological wellbeing. METHODS An abridged version of the standard shiftwork index whi...

Objectives—Previous research has produced conflicting evidence on the relative merits of advancing and delaying shift systems. The current study assessed the eVects of the direction of shift rotation within 8 hour systems, upon a range of measures including sleep, on shift alertness, physical health, and psychological wellbeing. Methods—An abridged version of the standard shiftwork index which ...

BACKGROUND Increasing metabolism is a primary focus of many commercially available dietary supplements marketed to support weight management. Caffeine (e.g. anhydrous and herbal) and green tea are key ingredients in such products, augmenting resting energy expenditure (REE) and improving reported mood states (alertness, fatigue, focus, etc.). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect...