Summary
A study performed by Sunni Newton (2009) sought to examine
the effect of caffeine on cognitive fatigue. This study examined the effects of
caffeine on performance and self report mood measures during the execution of
complex cognitive tasks. The end results of this study showed that complex task
performance improved while using caffeine.
Cognitive fatigue is a factor that decreases task engagement
and increases the resistance to further exert energy towards a task. Cognitive
fatigue observed through changes in a person’s work performance, their
physiological processes, and subjective feelings.
To perform this study, Newton split 116 participants into
two groups, a control group that was given a placebo and an experimental group
that was administered a dose of caffeine. Participants received the caffeine
dose (170mg) or the placebo by chewing two pieces of gum after the first hour
of the test. The dose was given after an hour to ensure that a baseline was
gathered for the experimental group.
Groups of 2 to 12 persons participated in a 4.5 hour testing
session which alternated between self report questionnaires and exam questions.
The questionnaire solicited responses from the participants regarding alertness
and their perceived level of fatigue, while the exams were problems sets
composed of 8 questions. Newton compiled the questions from college textbooks on
the following subjects: science, history, English, and human interest.
The results of the study, which Newton analyzed using an
ANOVA, showed that the placebo group reported a greater amount of fatigue
throughout the test while the caffeine group reported less fatigue and
performed better on the complex tasks.
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| Figure 1. Mean hourly test performance for caffeine and placebo conditions |
Critique
This study was well constructed and executed. The choice to
administer the caffeine dose an hour into the test was well thought out and
further highlighted the effects of caffeine on task performance. An examination
of the effects of caffeine on performance over a longer test time would be
interesting to see.
Additionally, participants only had 6 minutes to complete
each of the test questions. The constant changing of topic and requirement may
have served as a stimulus to the placebo group. It would be beneficial to
examine the performance on tasks that take a greater amount of time to complete
Source:
Newton, Sunni. (2009). The effects of caffeine on cognitive
fatigue. Georgia Tech University.
Posts
John,
ReplyDeleteDoes Newton provide an example of a complex task in the experiment? The researchers in the article I reviewed on the effects of stimulants during sleep-deprive tasks found that the subjects realized the most significant performance enhancing effects compared to the placebo group for tasks requiring speed and accuracy versus tasks requiring accuracy alone. Is this finding commensurate with Newton's findings?
The tasks Newton assigned were exam type questions from college textbooks.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, participants only had 6 minutes to complete each of the questions, thus incorporating the speed aspect you alluded to.
This study is interesting, particularly because I would want to have no part of the testing group (4.5 hours!?). It's one thing to feel less tired or get more done, but it's another to do things correctly or accurately. Related to Ricardo's question, I'm guessing this research does not address accuracy at all?
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteI thought you might find this interesting. Healthline has compiled a list of the Effects of Caffeine on the Body in a visual graphic and I thought you and your readers would be interested in seeing the information.
You can check out the information at http://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-effects-on-body We’ve had good feedback about the article and we think it will benefit your readers by giving them med-reviewed information in a visual way.
If you think this information is a good fit for your audience would you share it on your site, http://advat.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-effects-of-caffeine-on-cognitive.html , or social media?
Let me know what you think and have a great week.
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Interesting study on caffeine. I love to drink a cup of coffee in the morning. But not after that. I wish to take healthier beverages such as Goji Berry Juice.
ReplyDelete