AN IN-FLIGHT INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFICACY OF DEXTROAMPHETAMINE FOR SUSTAINING HELICOPTER PILOT PERFORMANCE

A promising countermeasure for fatigue in sustained aviation operation s is stimulant administration. However, well-controlled, aviation-rele vant studies of the efficacy of medications such as Dexedrine(R) are v irtually nonexistent. In this investigation, fight performance, mood, and alertness were evaluated in 10 UH-60 pilots during sleep deprivati on periods under Dexedrine(R) or placebo. Relative to placebo, Dexedri ne(R) improved flight performance during straight-and-levels, climbs, descents, right turns, and a left-descending turn, with tendencies tow ard better performance during the left turns and the instrument landin g system approach. Dexedrine(R) markedly reduced subjective feelings o f fatigue, confusion, and depression while increasing feelings of vigo r. Central nervous system arousal was enhanced by Dexedrine(R) relativ e to placebo. No significant side effects occurred, although Dexedrine (R) was associated with mild asymptomatic increases in heart rate and BP. Thus, Dexedrine(R) appears effective for the short-term sustainmen t of aviator performance during sustained operations. However, future work should investigate the efficacy of stimulants for longer-term use (e.g., more than 40 h of continuous wakefulness).