Next-morning effects of hypnotic drugs on attention, psychomotor performance, and memory functioning: implications for traffic safety

Verster, Joris, Peters, L. V., Aurora, van de Loo, Bouwmeester, Hans, Tiplady, Brian, Alford, Chris and Roth, Thomas (2016) Next-morning effects of hypnotic drugs on attention, psychomotor performance, and memory functioning: implications for traffic safety. In: ESRS 2016 - 23rd Congress of the European Sleep Research Society, 13th - 16th September 2016, Bologna, Italy.

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Abstract

Objective:
A recent meta-analysis showed that on-road highway driving is significantly impaired the morning following bedtime administration of the recommended dose of benzodiazepine drugs and zopiclone. The objective of this study was to conduct meta-analyses to determine which specific cognitive domains that are relevant to driving are impaired the day following bedtime administration of hypnotic drugs.

Methods:
A literature search (Pubmed, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) yielded N=33.969 potentially relevant publications. Studies were included if they assessed next-morning effects on cognition, attention, psychomotor performance, or memory functioning, and if hypnotic drugs were administered in recommended dosages at bedtime. Studies had to be double-blind, placebo-controlled, and conducted in healthy subjects (18–65 years old). Separate meta-analyses were conducted for the cognitive domains sustained- and divided attention, psychomotor speed and accuracy, motor control, and short-term, long-term, and working-memory. Included treatments were limited to benzodiazepine hypnotics and z-drugs. N=28 studies reported sufficient data to be included in the meta analyses.

Results:
Significant impairment was found for the domains divided attention (P=0.0001), short-term memory (P=0.0001), long-term memory (P=0.0001), psychomotor accuracy (P=0.013), and a trend towards significance for sustained attention (P=0.06). No significant effects were found for working memory (P=0.794), psychomotor speed (P=0.686), and motor control (P=0.345).

Conclusion:
The analyses revealed next-morning performance impairment in various cognitive domains, including memory, attentionand psychomotor performance. These skills and abilities are highly relevant to daily activities such as driving. Future analyses should be conducted to confirm these findings in elderly and patients.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	B200 Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy C800 Psychology
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User:	Paul Burns
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2016 14:30
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 12:14
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/28557

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