There are times when a soldier has to go a long time without sleep, so the military is interested in ways to combat fatigue.
In a new study, researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio conducted a test with a handheld device that stimulates the vagus nerve.
From IEEE Spectrum:
Twelve hours into the experiment, half the volunteers each received two minutes of electrical stimulation to the left cervical vagus nerve and two to the right, with two minutes of rest in between. The other half had a sham device that looked identical to the real machine pressed to their necks that made similar vibrations and clicking sounds but did not deliver any current. Both groups were asked to not nap or consume any caffeine or similar stimulants during the experiment.
The scientists found the volunteers who received vagus nerve stimulation performed better at tasks testing focus and multi-tasking. They also reported less fatigue and higher energy. These benefits peaked 12 hours after simulation, with boosts to alertness lasting for up to 19 hours.
Image: Lindsey McIntire
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