European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background and Aim: The human brain needs adequate sleep to recover from fatigue. Reaction time testing is a highly sensitive measure of sustained attention, which is a prerequisite for safe driving.In view of this, the study was planned to evaluate the effect of partial sleep deprivation (<3 hours of sleep-in night) on sleepiness, Auditory and Visual reaction time in taxi drivers of Bangalore city.
Methods: The study included 30 male taxi drivers in the age group of 18- 40 years. After obtaining informed consent from the subject participants sleepiness status was assessed using the Karolinska’s sleepiness scale (KSS). Visual reaction time (VRT) for red, green & blue light & Auditory reaction time (ART) measurement was done by PC 1000 reaction timer. After the baseline measurements, taxi drivers departed for their 12-hour night shift.  After the night shift when taxi drivers reported back all the parameters were rechecked ie KSS for sleepiness, VRT, and ART.
Results: There was a significant increase in KSS score after partial sleep deprivation when compared to the baseline values indicating higher levels of sleepiness after sleep deprivation. The mean values of ART & VRT for red, green & blue was prolonged after partial sleep deprivation when compared to before values and the difference was statistically significant.
Conclusion: The present study observed that partial sleep deprivation has a major effect on mental attention and prolongation of reaction time among Bangalore city Traffic drivers. Results of our study suggest that road users especially shift workers should be provided with education concerning the fatal risk of driving during the sleep-deprived condition, effective countermeasures, sufficient areas of staff sleeping areas for on-call workers, counselling against the ill effects of consumption of excessive tea/coffee, drug, alcohol or smoking to eliminate the effects of sleep deprivation.