Interpretive vigilance

Accurate assessment of neurobehavioral performance capability during sleep deprivation protocols requires cognitive performance assays to be (a) indicative of a fundamental aspect of waking cognitive function (b) easily performed (c) minimally affected by aptitude and learning (d) as brief as possible (e) valid and reliable (f) sensitive and (g) able to provide meaningful outcome variables that can be easily interpreted. In this chapter we have reviewed the evidence that the psychomotor vigilance task meets these requirements. 

The kinds of vigilance procedures described obviously require reasonably intact motor function and are often interpreted with that in mind. However, these techniques also depend on sensory processes. In fact, assuming intact motor functions, vigilance tasks such as those described can be adapted to provide some indication of sensory function changes... 

Reviews of the effects of sleep deprivation in other domains show substantial effects on a variety of mental tasks, sustained vigilance and motor skills. Studies in clinical settings have demonstrated a decrement in surgical skills after a night on call (Tafflnder et al, 1998), reduced ability to interpret electrocardiograms... 

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