Development of microcomputer-based mental acuity tests.

Recent disasters have focused attention on performance problems due to the use of alcohol and controlled substances in the workplace. Environmental stressors such as thermal extremes, mixed gases, noise, motion, and vibration also have adverse effects on human performance and operator efficiency. However, the lack of a standardized, sensitive, human performance assessment battery has probably delayed the systematic study of the deleterious effects of various toxic chemicals and drugs at home and in the workplace.

Differential effects of scopolamine and amphetamine on microcomputer-based performance tests.

Scopolamine (1.0 mg) and d-amphetamine (10 mg) were administered alone and in combination to 16 subjects (medical students), randomly assigned to testing sessions in a fully crossed-over (Latin square) within-subjects design. After being practiced to stability, 9 performance tests from a menu of portable microcomputer-based tests were administered double-blind over 4 weekly treatments (including a placebo).

Factor analysis and predictive validity of microcomputer-based tests.

11 tests were selected from two microcomputer-based performance test batteries because previously these tests exhibited rapid stability (less than 10 min, of practice) and high retest reliability efficiencies (r greater than 0.707 for each 3 min. of testing).

The time course of postflight simulator sickness symptoms.

Reports of posteffects following training sessions in Navy and Army flight simulators were obtained from pilots to determine the time course of recovery from simulator sickness. Results imply that posteffects may be a more serious problem than previously considered; 45% of all those queried (N greater than 700) reported having experienced symptoms of simulator sickness; 25% of the symptoms lasted more than 1 h after leaving the simulator; and 8% lasted more than 6 h. Postexposure symptoms were classified into three categories: visuomotor (based on disturbances in oculomotor control; e.

Psychology of computer use: IX. A menu of self-administered microcomputer-based neurotoxicology tests.

This study examined the feasibility of repeated self-administration of a newly developed battery of mental acuity tests which may have application in screening for fitness-for-duty or for persons who may be exposed to environmental stress, toxic agents, or disease. 16 subjects self-administered 18 microcomputer-based tests (13 new, 5 "core"), without proctors, over 10 sessions. The hardware performed well throughout the study and the tests appeared to be easily self-administered.

Simulator sickness in U.S. Navy flight simulators.

Flight simulators have become a major factor in pilot training. A general finding from Navy research on simulator design is that equipment features that offer faithful representation improve pilot performance and promote pilot acceptance. To the extent that an aircraft produces motion sickness, its simulator should induce the same result.