title: Total sleep deprivation decreases flow experience and mood status.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sleep deprivation on flow experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen healthy male volunteers of mean age 21.4±1.59 (21-24) years participated in two experimental conditions, ie, sleep-deprivation and normal sleep. In the sleep-deprived condition, participants stayed awake at home for 36 hours (from 8 am until 10 pm the next day) beginning on the day prior to an experimental day. In both conditions, participants carried out a simple reaction time (psychomotor vigilance) task and responded to a questionnaire measuring flow experience and mood status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Flow experience was reduced after one night of total sleep deprivation. Sleep loss also decreased positive mood, increased negative mood, and decreased psychomotor performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sleep deprivation has a strong impact on mental and behavioral states associated with the maintenance of flow, namely subjective well-being.
authors.affiliation: Human Technology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Kosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaida
authors.affiliation: Human Technology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niki
keywords: flow; mood; sleep deprivation; sleepiness; vigilance