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The effects of caffeinated products on sleep and functioning in the military population: A focused review.

Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
July 1, 2021
Ninad S Chaudhary et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review the effects of caffeinated products, including energy drinks, on sleep and functioning in military personnel.

Results Summary

Military personnel commonly consumed caffeine, with energy drinks preferred by those under 30. Caffeine improved cognitive, behavioral, and physical performance during sleep deprivation but was associated with decreased sleep duration and increased psychiatric symptoms at higher doses.

Population

Military personnel, including deployed and non-deployed individuals.

Effective Dosage

Mean caffeine consumption varied from 212 to 285 mg/day.

Duration

Not specified (review of studies spanning 1967–2019).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
chronic caffeine intake
decrease
sleep duration
the general population
-
associated with decreased
#1
chronic caffeine intake
neutral
non-restful sleep
the general population
-
associated with
#2
caffeine use in increasing amounts
decrease
sleep duration
-
-
associated with decreased
#3
caffeine use in increasing amounts
increase
psychiatric symptoms
-
-
associated with increased
#4
consumption of caffeinated products during sleep deprivation
increase
cognitive and behavioral outcomes
-
-
improved
#5
consumption of caffeinated products during sleep deprivation
increase
physical performance
-
-
improved
#6
Caffeine and energy drink consumption
no change
some aspects of performance stemming from insufficient sleep
deployed personnel
-
may maintain
#7
Abstract

Military personnel rely on caffeinated products such as coffee or energy drinks (ED) to maintain a maximal level of vigilance and performance under sleep-deprived and combat situations. While chronic caffeine intake is associated with decreased sleep duration and non-restful sleep in the general population, these relationships are relatively unclear in the military personnel. We conducted a focused review of the effects of caffeinated products on sleep and the functioning of military personnel. We used a pre-specified search algorithm and identified 28 peer-reviewed articles published between January 1967 and July 2019 involving military personnel. We classified the findings from these studies into three categories. These categories included descriptive studies of caffeine use, studies evaluating the association between caffeinated products and sleep or functioning measures, and clinical trials assessing the effects of caffeinated products on functioning in sleep-deprived conditions. Most of the studies showed that military personnel used at least one caffeine-containing product per day during active duty and coffee was their primary source of caffeine. Their mean caffeine consumption varied from 212 to 285 mg/day, depending on the type of personnel and their deployment status. Those who were younger than 30 years of age preferred ED use. Caffeine use in increasing amounts was associated with decreased sleep duration and increased psychiatric symptoms. The consumption of caffeinated products during sleep deprivation improved their cognitive and behavioral outcomes and physical performance. Caffeine and energy drink consumption may maintain some aspects of performance stemming from insufficient sleep in deployed personnel, but excessive use may have adverse consequences.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CaffeineClinical Trials as TopicCoffeeCognitionEnergy DrinksFemaleHumansMaleMilitary PersonnelPhysical FitnessPsychomotor PerformanceSleepSleep DeprivationSleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersSurveys and Questionnaires
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety65
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations13
Citations/Year3.3
Relative Citation Ratio1.69
NIH Percentile69.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.52
Normalized Score0.72
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