SLEEP LOSS AND FATIGUE

BACKGROUND

Sleep loss and fatigue compromise the performance, health, and safety of warfighters. To maximize the operational readiness and resilience of our armed forces, the Sleep and Fatigue Research Laboratory develops and implements practical, evidence-based solutions for managing the negative effects of sleep loss and fatigue in military environments.

VALUE

The research done by our Sleep and Fatigue team supports health and readiness by developing operational relevant tasks to assess the effects of sleep loss/circadian disruption and fatigue on warfighter performance, reducing insomnia symptoms using evidence-based behavioral treatment approaches, and seeking solutions for monitoring sleep and fatigue outside the laboratory in realistic, operationally relevant settings.

GOALS

Optimize the operational readiness and resilience of our armed forces through research by assessing, evaluating, and mitigating the effects of sleep loss and fatigue on warfighter performance and health
Provide guidelines for leaders that emphasize the importance of sleep for operational performance and resilience

CAPABILITIES

Conduct sleep and fatigue research in operational environments or our 2-bedroom sleep laboratory
Monitor sleep using both gold-standard, laboratory based polysomnography and innovative technologies
Conduct sleep disorder diagnostics
Conduct integrative performance assessments using NHRC’s immersive virtual reality environment in our Warfighter Performance Laboratory
Implement evidence-based treatments for sleep issues and countermeasures for fatigue

RESEARCH

Validation of innovative technology for assessing sleep and detecting sleep disorders
Development of operationally relevant fatigue assessment and prediction tools
Identification of countermeasures for sleep loss and fatigue
Implementation of behavioral treatments to reduce insomnia symptoms

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General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.mbx.bumed-general-inquiries@health.mil