Cognitive performance degradation on sonar operator and torpedo data control unit operator after one night of sleep deprivation.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine whether or not relatively short period of sleep deprivation will degrade cognitive skills. Using the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) two critical submarine jobs were analyzed to reveal the main attributes of the jobs and then the Automated Portable Test System battery (APTS) was used to simulate these attributes. The PAQ analysis snowed clearly that the cognitive skills (Estimation, Mental process and decision making) were essential for these jobs (i.e., Torpedo Data Control Unit operator and Sonar operator jobs). The results showed that subjects were highly sensitive to the sleep loss and their cognitive performance degraded as a function of 36 hours of sleep deprivation and time of sleep deprivation.