CIRCADIAN-RHYTHM DESYNCHRONOSIS IN MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS - A REVIEW OFCURRENT STRATEGIES

The combined problems of changing work schedules and work places are n ot uncommon in military operations, For example, during the Persian Gu lf War, many military units underwent short notice transmeridian deplo yment with immediate commencement of 24-h operations upon arrival, Som e of these individuals likely suffered from circadian desynchronosis, blunting their effectiveness, The United States Air Force approved lim ited use of one short acting hypnotic medication to assist aircrew sle ep disorders in the operational theater and, until recently, one stimu lant medication to enhance alertness, Multiple theoretical strategies for circadian rhythm management are available, However, many U.S. Air Force flight surgeons are not trained on how best to use medications i n combination with other circadian rhythm strategies, We present a con densed review of current human circadian rhythm coping strategies pert inent to military operations,