Effect of Sleep Debt on Neurophysiological Responses to Heat Exposure

Summary

Many people are required to work in stressful situations combining sleep debt and hot environmental conditions. If the effect of sleep debt on cognitive performance is proven, this effect could be increased, during heat exposure, through the deleterious effects of sleep debt on thermoregulatory abilities. These alterations may favour the occurrence of accidents.

The changes in cognitive performance induced by hyperthermia are also poorly characterised and often not dissociated from the effects of dehydration. Little is known about the effects of the combination of sleep debt and heat exposure on mental performance. Describing and understanding the alterations induced by this combined situation could provide a better understanding of the mechanisms explaining the deterioration of performance in hot conditions and promote the development of appropriate countermeasures.

Conditions

• Heat; Excess
• Sleep Disorder

Interventions

OTHER

Sleep recording (at home)

Before both heat exposures, the sleep-wake rhythm will be measured at home for 7 days using actigraphy and a sleep diary that will have been given to him/her during the inclusion visit.

OTHER

Heat exposure

The subjects will be exposed twice (2 different visits) to heat (45°C; 60-70% humidity rate) for 3 hours in a climate chamber. The subjects will be "equipped" with various external sensors allowing the continuous recording of core temperature, mean skin temperature (9 skin measurement points), heart rate, cerebral electrical activity, cerebral oxygenation, skin vascular conductance (blood flow by laser-doppler), blood pressure and skin conductance. Neurophysiological and cognitive exploration (NPCE) includes the Stroop test, the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and the odd-ball test.

OTHER

Normal sleep

The night before one of the two heat exposures (first visit for the "Normal sleep first" group and second visit for the "Reduced sleep first" group), the participants will have a normal night at home. The duration and quality of sleep will be measured using a connected headband (Dreem®) allowing for polysomnography.

OTHER

Sleep restriction

The night before one of the two heat exposures (first visit for the "Reduced sleep first" group and second visit for the "Normal sleep first" group), the participants' sleep will be restricted. The sleep restriction will correspond to a reduced sleep period with a bedtime of 3 hours (04:00 - 07:00). This night of sleep restriction will be carried out in a sleep apartment (at the lab). The duration and quality of sleep will be measured using a connected headband (Dreem®) allowing for polysomnography.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des Armées

  lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-01-14

Primary Completion

2024-02-29

Completion

2024-02-29

Countries

• France

Study Locations