Analysis of sleep on Shuttle missions.
Many aspects of Shuttle missions may have significant impact on the normal sleeping patterns of crewmembers. Using a standard debriefing form, 58 crewmembers from 9 Shuttle flights (6 single-shift flights, and 3 dual-shift flights) were debriefed within 3 d postflight. Specific questions on the form relating to sleep quality and quantity, fatigue, and sleep medication usage during all flight phases were analyzed. Of crewmembers on dual-shift missions 50% (11 of 22) used sleep medications at least once inflight compared to 19.4% (7 of 36) of single-shift. The biggest impact on normal sleep patterns occurred during the first and last days of a mission, with averages of 5.7 h and 5.6 h, respectively. These results suggest that sleep disruption is a common occurrence on Shuttle missions. Further studies are suggested to develop strategies for coping with this potential problem.
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Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058.
Kapanka
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Davis
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Stewart
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D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013026:Space Flight; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives