Abstract
Stress and sleep deprivation impairs performance on attention and inhibitory tasks. Due to the bidirectional effects of sleep restriction and stress, it is difficult to determine the combined and independent effect of each of these on cognitive performance. In an effort to disentangle the unique contribution of stress and sleep on performance, we sought to examine students during a time in which they are both sleep restricted and stressed. To that end, we employed a repeated measures withinsubject design in which each participant was tested twice, once during a non-exam week and once during exam week. The Stroop and a continuous performance tasks were used to assess inhibition and attention, respectively. A biochemical measure of stress (cortisol) was quantified at each testing session in order to determine individual variability in response to the exam week stressor. Participants also indicated their sleep patterns for the week prior to each session. Results show the individual and combined effects of stress and sleep restriction on inhibition and attention. These results further add to our understanding of possible mechanisms that impair cognitive functioning.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Jaime Tartar, Dr. Jonathan Banks
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-13-2012 1:00 PM
End Date
4-13-2012 5:30 PM
The Effects of Stress and Sleep Restriction on Attention and Inhibitory Task Performance
Alvin Sherman Library
Stress and sleep deprivation impairs performance on attention and inhibitory tasks. Due to the bidirectional effects of sleep restriction and stress, it is difficult to determine the combined and independent effect of each of these on cognitive performance. In an effort to disentangle the unique contribution of stress and sleep on performance, we sought to examine students during a time in which they are both sleep restricted and stressed. To that end, we employed a repeated measures withinsubject design in which each participant was tested twice, once during a non-exam week and once during exam week. The Stroop and a continuous performance tasks were used to assess inhibition and attention, respectively. A biochemical measure of stress (cortisol) was quantified at each testing session in order to determine individual variability in response to the exam week stressor. Participants also indicated their sleep patterns for the week prior to each session. Results show the individual and combined effects of stress and sleep restriction on inhibition and attention. These results further add to our understanding of possible mechanisms that impair cognitive functioning.
