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Reaction Time Testing (reaction + time_testing)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Effectiveness of Multilevel (Tongue and Palate) Radiofrequency Tissue Ablation for Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 12 2004
David L. Steward MD
Abstract Objectives: The primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of multilevel (tongue base and palate) temperature controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The secondary objective is to compare multilevel TCRFTA to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Study Design and Methods: The study is a controlled case series of one investigator's experience with multilevel TCRFTA for patients with OSAS. Twenty-two subjects with mild to severe OSAS, without tonsil hypertrophy, completed multilevel TCRFTA (mean 4.8 tongue base and 1.8 palate treatment sessions) and had both pre- and posttreatment polysomnography. Primary outcomes included change from baseline in apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), daytime somnolence, and reaction time testing measured 2 to 3 months after TCRFTA. Secondary outcomes included change in other respiratory parameters, OSAS related quality of life, and upper airway size. Comparison of 18 patients treated with TCRFTA for mild to moderate OSAS (AHI > 5 and , 40) is made with 11 matched patients treated with nasal CPAP for mild to moderate OSAS. Results: Multilevel TCRFTA significantly improved AHI (P = .001), apnea index (P = .02), as well as respiratory and total arousal indices (P = .0002 and P = .01). Significant improvement with moderate or large treatment effect sizes were noted for OSAS related quality of life (P = .01) and daytime somnolence (P = .0001), with a trend toward significant improvement in reaction time testing (P = .06), with mean posttreatment normalization of all three outcome measures. Fifty-nine percent of subjects demonstrated at least a 50% reduction in AHI to less than 20. The targeted upper airway, measured in the supine position, demonstrated a trend toward significant improvement in mean cross sectional area (P = .05) and volume (P = .10). Side effects of TCRFTA were infrequent, mild, and self-limited. No significant correlation between pretreatment parameters and outcome improvement was noted. Nasal CPAP resulted in significant improvement in AHI (P = .0004) to near normal levels, with an associated improvement in OSAS related quality of life (P = .02) and a trend toward significant improvement in daytime somnolence (P = .06). Reaction time testing demonstrated no significant improvement (P = .75). No significant differences were seen for change in AHI, OSAS related quality of life, daytime somnolence, or reaction time testing between multilevel TCRFTA and CPAP. Conclusion: Multilevel (tongue base and palate) TCRFTA is a low-morbidity, office-based procedure performed with local anesthesia and is an effective treatment option for patients with OSAS. On average, abnormalities in daytime somnolence, quality of life, and reaction time testing demonstrated improvement from baseline and were normalized after treatment. Polysomnographic respiratory parameters also demonstrated significant improvement with multilevel TCRFTA. [source]

The Road to Danger: The Comparative Risks of Driving While Sleepy,,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2001
Nelson B. Powell MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis A large sector of the population of the United States has sleep deprivation directly leading to excessive daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in this population ranges from 0.3% to 13.3%. The consequences of even 1 to 2 hours of sleep loss nightly may result in decrements in daytime functions resulting in human error, accidents, and catastrophic events. The magnitude of risks in the workplace or on the highways resulting from sleepiness is not fully understood or appreciated by the general population. Hence, to more clearly emphasize the magnitude of these risks, we question whether mild sleep deprivation may have the same effect as alcohol on reaction times and driving performance. Study Design Nonrandomized prospective cohort investigation. Methods Sixteen healthy matched adult subjects (50% women) were stratified into two groups, sleep deprived and alcohol challenged. The sleep-deprived group was further subdivided into acute (one night without sleep) and chronic (2 h less sleep nightly for 7 d) sleep deprivation. Each group underwent baseline reaction time testing and then drove on a closed course set up to test performance. Seven days later, the group repeated this sequence after either sleep deprivation or alcohol intake. Results There were no significant between-group differences (sleep deprivation or alcohol challenged) in the changes before and after intervention for all 11 reaction time test metrics. Moreover, with few exceptions, the magnitude of change was nearly identical in the two groups, despite a mean blood alcohol concentration of 0.089 g/dL in the alcohol-challenged group. On-track driving performances were similar (P = .724) when change scores (hits and errors) between groups were compared (baseline minus final driving trial). Conclusion This comparative model suggests that the potential risks of driving while sleepy are at least as dangerous as the risks of driving illegally under the influence of alcohol. [source]

Evaluation of a new method of assessing depth of sedation using two-choice visual reaction time testing on a mobile phone,

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2009
A. J. Thomson
Summary The utility of two-choice visual reaction time testing using a specially programmed mobile telephone as a measure of sedation level was investigated in 20 healthy patients sedated with target controlled infusions of propofol. At gradually increasing target concentrations visual reaction time was compared with patient-assessed visual analogue scale sedation scores and an observer-rated scale. Propofol sedation caused dose-dependent increases in visual reaction time and visual analogue scale scores that were statistically significant when the calculated effect-site concentration reached 0.9 ,g.ml,1 (p < 0.05) and 0.5 ,g.ml,1 (p < 0.01) respectively. While visual analogue scale scores were more sensitive at lower levels of sedation than visual reaction time, the latter demonstrated marked increase in values at higher levels of sedation. Visual reaction time may be useful for identifying impending over-sedation. [source]