Nonpharmacological Performance Enhancement and Fatigue Countermeasure

Investigation of 3-D "Virtual Reality" Audio Enhanced Techniques to increase Efficacy and Quality of Sleep under Adv erse Conditions and its Implications for "Sleep Training." Sleep quality and quantity can significantly impact military performance. Due to the inherent side-effects of sedative-hyponotics there are many times when they cannot be used such as in-flight sleep during long hauls. Recently, significant strides may have been made in the nonpharmacological treatment of insominia that may be of use in inducing and maintaining higher quality sleep than might otherwise be obtained under common stressful or adverse military conditions. Phase I will measure the quality and quantity of sleep obtained by crew chiefs on KC-10 aircraft via Medilog recordings. Actilume data will be obtained for the might preceeding the mission through three nights post completion and sleep logs will be kept. Crew chiefs will undergo three different prototype "sleep training" regimes using nonpharmacological insomnia treatment techniques including a new 3-D "Virtual Reality" audio technology delivered via ordinary tapeplayer and headphones. A repeated measures design using the same Medilog/Actilume protocol will evaluate effectiveness both on in-flight sleep and potential impact on sleep disrupted by circadian dysrhythn associated with long distance transmeridian flight.