(TMI-ARMY Files) 1982 - Sleep Discipline

--- PAGE 1 (OCR) --- INDEPENDENT EVALUATION PLAN For SLEEP DISCIPLINE 14 FEB 82 This IEP is prepared to identify questions to be answered (operational issues), criteria, sources of data, and the approach to evaluation of using Army Rapid Acquisitions Training techniques to develop and maintain sleep discipline under conditions of continuous operations. --- PAGE 2 (OCR) --- 1.0 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 1.1 NAME OF SYSTEM Sleep Discipline 1.2 BACKGROUND The USA Soldier Support Support Center, in it's doctrinal literature program, in coordination with the USA Research Institute for the Social and Behavioral Sciences, is developing methods for sustaining soldiers' performance in continuous operations. Continuous operations refers to combat operations that continue around the clock at a constant high pace. Soldiers will be required to fight without let up for extended periods. Continuous land combat is an advanced warfare concept that is made possible by the almost complete mechanization of land combat forces and by the technology that enables effective movement at night, in poor weather, and other low visibility conditions. Armies now have the potential to fight without let up. The reasons that have traditionally forced a pause are no longer applicable, Continuous combat depresses certain critical human abilities. When these abilities are reduced, performance of combat tasks is degraded. These tasks are no longer performed as‘quickly or as well as required. ‘After 48 hours, a total loss of sleep becomes very damaging. During the first night of combat, the normal wake/sleep cycles are upset. Combat is also accompanied by stress, threat to life, noise, and time pressure. Sheer determination alone cannot offset the combined, mounting effects of these adverse factors. Determination to endure must be supplemented by countering the effects of continuous combat. --- PAGE 3 (OCR) --- All members of any fighting unit must learn to cope with the impacts of the adverse factors, especially sleep loss. Coping is a combat skill that may well become as important as any other combat skill in continuous operations. Coping means the ability to compensate for the increasing effects of sleep loss, changes in wake/sleep cycles, and stress. Cat napping at every opportunity is a coping technique of great promise for holding down the effects of continuous operations in general, and specifically, of course, of sleep loss. Effective cat napping requires that the soldier fall asleep as quickly as possible, and that he can become awake and alert just as quickly when he is again needed. Falling asleep quickly and becoming awake quickly are skills that can be learned, and can be improved with training and practice. Because of their nature, these skills cannot be learned from a "manual", nor can a "coach" be of much help. The soldier must master the technique of cat napping, individually. High technology is available to support this learning. The ability to sleep and waken, at will, is an essential and integral part of any: program of sleep discipline. Sleep discipline means implementing a well developed, unit specific plan of sleep and rest. The most reliable remedy for sleep loss is sleep itself; therefore, sleep discipline is of prime importance. A plan must be developed for duty rotation and shift-work which will provide a framework for imposition of sleep discipline in combat. The framework must include provisions for shifts in schedule (as in jet Jag). The sleep discipline plan must be supported by sleep technology. --- PAGE 4 (OCR) --- 1.3 Characteristics and Configuration Sleep discipline is a combat requirement. Combat in continuous operations requires a schedule for sleep or restoration. For the unit commanders, sleep discipline is analogous to resource management. For the individual soldier, sleep discipline is a problem. Sleep can be scheduled, and yet sleep may not come, especially under conditions of overstimulation, worry, and stress. Sleep discipline requires that sleep be under control. Sleep must be willed. Sleep can be induced by drugs or hypnosis, but the military application of ‘induced sleep requires a reliable method for achieving restorative sleep, especially sleep that brings the soldier to full proficiency. One available technology for inducing sleep is Army Rapid Acquisition (RAT). The ARAT approach to sleep discipline consists of using a series of pre-recorded training exercises. ARAT uses sound to help create simultaneously an identical wave form in both brain hemispheres (hemispheric synchronization). When the ear hears a certain type of sound signal, similar electrical signals resonate in the brain. When such recorded pulses induce resonate signals in the brain (the frequency following response), the mind experiences states that are associated with those brain waves. In ARAT the whole brain -- both hemispheres -- is focused on an identical state of awareness at the same time. Most important, the condition can be changed at will by changing the pattern; it also can be learned and recreated from memory when described. Sleep, being one such state, can be willed. --- PAGE 5 (OCR) --- The ARAT training program requires a pre recorded sleep induction cassette tape, a stereo cassette tape player, and a stereo headset. Robert Monroe, of the Monroe Institute of Applied Sciences, Route 1, Box 175, Faber, VA, 22938-9749 was granted a generic US patent for the frequency following response (FFR) and hemispheric synchronization method and techniques in 1975. The prerecorded cassette tapes are available through Mentronics Systems Inc, POB 130, Nellysford, VA 22958-0130, the players and headsets are available from various manufacturers. 1.4 Concept of Employment The mission profile is the training analog of combat under conditions of continuous operations. The ARAT approach to sleep discipline is applicable to all organizational levels, and should be tested at the command post level. The technique is used to control both quality and duration of sleep. o One hour or less "nap" can be adjusted to have the restorative power of four hours of sleep. o Awakening can be made into an easy and inmediate alertness, without grogginess. 1.5 Test Manager USA SSC - SDD(TF) Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN 46216 --- PAGE 6 (OCR) --- 2.0 Issues and Associated Criteria 2.1 Issue Does the ARAT system induce sleep? 2.1.1 Scope Given an adequate number of repetitions (exposures), a reasonable percentage of personnel will sleep. 2.1.2 Criteria The basis for comparison will be control groups who experience a program which is identical with the exception of the critical variable, the special sleep signals. Measures will include subjective responses and observation. 2.1.3 Rationale Sleep discipline is a combat requirement (in conditions of continuous operations). Sleep must be controlled. 2.2 Issue Is the ARAT system effective in inducing sleep under various operational conditions? 2.2.1 Scope Is sleep induced in garrison, field and transport conditions and under conditions of oversimulation and stress. 2.2.2 Criteria Measures will include subjective responses and observation. 2.2.3 Rationale The combat requirement for sleep discipline diciates the need for the system to be effective under a variety of conditions? --- PAGE 7 (OCR) --- 2.3 Issue Does the ARAT system induce a full restorative sleep cycle. 2.3.1 Scope Given the adequate familiarity with the system, a reasonable percentage of personnel will pass through the normal stages of the full sleep cycle. 2.3.2 Criteria An electronic monitoring device will be used for observation of brain waves. 2.3.3 Rationale Sleep, to be restorative, must pass through the full cycle of stages. 2.4 Issue Is the ARAT system able to compress the time requirement for full restorative sleep cycle(s). 2.4.1 Scope , To discover the lower limits of compression in time of the full sleep cycle. 2.4.2 Criteria An electronic monitoring device will be used for observing the duration of the cycle(s) of stages. 2.4.3 Rationale Sleep discipline in continuous operations requires that soldiers be able to achieve more restoration in less time, if possible. (Less than 7 1/2 hours: 5 cycles of 90 minutes). --- PAGE 8 (OCR) --- 2.5 Issue Can the ARAT system be used to bring sleep under voluntary control (not equipment dependent)? 2.5.1 Scope After a reasonable training period, the personnel will be able to bring on their own sleep state. 2.5.2 Criteria An electron monitoring device will be used for observation of brain waves. Subjective reports will also be used. 2.5.3 Rationale The combat requirement for sleep discipline dictates the need for . the system to be effective in training independence from the equipment. 2.6 Issue Does the ARAT system provide restorative sleep as evidenced by less performance decrement? 2.6.1 Scope In sleep induced under conditions of continuous operations, the sleep must be effective in restoring performance. 2.6.2 Criteria Operational performance tests will be used to measure effectiveness in combat-simulations (eg. FTX) or jet lag conditions. 2.6.3 Rationale The purpose of sleep discipline is to mitigate the effects on performance of sleep loss. 3.0 Concept of Evaluation --- PAGE 9 (OCR) --- 3.1 This test will determine the effectiveness of the ARAT system to induce sleep. Also, the test will evaluate the ARAT system's utility in enducing sleep in various operational conditions. The test will compare and contrast the use of the system with a control system of stereophonic stimulation. The Test Design Plan will reflect specific evaluation methodologies, largely still in formative stages. Instruments will include, but not be limited to, psychometric, performance, physiological, attitudinal data, and subjective reports. 3.2 Operational Test The ARAT system will be tested under suitable operational conditions, to test its appropriateness for soldiers.