Circadian rhythms in response efficiency on a continuous performance test

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if there are circadian variations in performance to stimuli with different frequency, in a continuous performance task that measures sustained attention. Three female undergraduate students, 17, 18 and 19 years of age, were recorded during at least 25 hours in a constant routine protocol, designed to reduce the influence of synchronizers on circadian rhythms. Rectal temperature and responses on a continuous performance task were recorded. This task included three stimuli with the following frequencies: 70%, 20% and 10%. Results showed circadian variations in rectal temperature and response efficiency to the continuous performance task and for all stimuli independently of their frequency. In conclusion, circadian rhythms in sustained attention prevail despite using stimuli with different frequencies.