A Laboratory Evaluation of Performance Following a Daytime Nap Under Zaleplon and Placebo Conditions

Abstract : Primary objective was to determine if zaleplon (10-mg) negatively impacted human performance, compared to placebo, after a sudden awakening from a short period (1 hour) of daytime sleep 16 volunteers, 8 males and 8 females, were formed into 4 groups of 4 participants each. The study used a repeated measures design with 2 within-subject factors drug and trial. Each participant experienced both drug conditions. Drug administration was counterbalanced and double-blinded. Performance measures (cognition and memory, balance, strength) and subjective reports were collected during every waking hour. Performance was significantly negatively impacted in the zaleplon condition up to 3-hrs post-dose. A few measures remained significantly below baseline at 3-hrs post-awakening. All measures returned to baseline by 4-hrs post-awakening. Caution is advised regarding daytime zaleplon use in operational settings involving extreme environments or emergency procedures that include higher cognitive tasks. Findings support insertion of a minimum of lO-min recovery time prier to any work activities following a daytime nap.