Performance Decrement as a Function of Total Sleep Loss and Task Duration

Abstract

To determine the effect of task duration and its sensitivity to total sleep loss, measures of speed and accuracy on the Wilkinson addition test were obtained from 11 Navy enlisted men for 4 baseline days and 2 days without sleep. The number of additions attempted decreased significantly from the baseline level after 10 min. of testing on the first deprivation day and after 6 min. on the second day. 50 min. of testing were required to detect a significant decrease in accuracy from baseline on the first deprivation day, while 10 min. were required on the second day.