In order to be able to carry out mission-critical tasks at any time during a mission, astronauts must maintain a high-level of performance in the face of demanding workloads and work-rest schedules that result in chronic sleep restriction.

Specific Aims

1. This research will use a laboratory-based study to acquire critically-needed information on the effects on performance of high cognitive workload and sleep restriction. We will test the hypothesis that as sleep restriction accumulates, it will potentiate the performance-impairing effects of higher cognitive workload.

2. Another key goal of the study is to provide astronauts with an objective way to identify performance changes and the need for countermeasures for fatigue from sleep restriction and high workload. To this end, the project will complete validation of the sensitivity of the three-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) SelfTest to high workload and sleep restriction. PVT SelfTest feedback interfaces will also be evaluated, and the task will be tested in analog operations to establish its technical feasibility.

3. Tertiary goals of the project include identification of biobehavioral predictors of differential vulnerability to the cognitive effects of sleep restriction and high workload.

4. Development of individualized biomathematical models that predict performance on the PVT SelfTest during high workload.

Earth-based Applications of Research Project
The research builds on an extensive body of work we have conducted to help manage the cognitive performance of astronauts in space while they undergo high workload and sleep restriction. The acquisition of critically needed knowledge on how these factors potentiate fatigue effects on performance will help set standards and improve individualized mathematical models that predict countermeasure needs. The continued development of the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) SelfTest will offer a tool by which astronauts can autonomously assess their performance fitness and make decisions about countermeasures. These deliverables will also have utility in a broad range of Earth-based applications in which sleep restriction and workload have major adverse impacts on human performance (e.g., transportation modes, power plants and military operations).

Project Description
NASA Task Book Entry