Influence of nicotine on simulator flight performance in non-smokers.
In a placebo-controlled study, we investigated the influence of nicotine on late-day aviation performance in 15 non-smoking subjects. In a within-subjects design, subjects were tested on 2 days, each lasting 8 h and consisting of three 75-min simulator flights (late-afternoon practice, evening test, night test). Prior to each test, subjects received either nicotine polacrilex 2 mg or placebo gum. As expected, overall performance was significantly better after nicotine, compared to placebo (P < 0.01). Post-hoc analysis of individual flight tasks showed that nicotine improved scores on approach to landing, a task which appears to require sustained attention. We conclude that nicotine may improve late-day flight performance in non-smoking aviators.
Mumenthaler
M S
MS
Stanford University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, CA 94305-5550, USA.
Taylor
J L
JL
O'Hara
R
R
Yesavage
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking
D009538:Nicotine