Biological Psychology/Pharmacopsychology

Investigation of the Effects of Coffee on Alertness and Performance during the Day and Night
A.P. Smith, P. Brockman, R. Flynn, A. Maben, M. Thomas

Health Psychology Research Unit, School of Psychology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuropsychobiology 1993;27:217-223 (DOI: 10.1159/000118984)

  Key Words

• Nightwork
• Caffeine
• Coffee
• Performance efficiency
• Alertness

  Abstract

An experiment was carried out to examine the effects of coffee on performance and alertness in the day and at night. The results showed that caffeinated coffee had a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance on a variety of tasks in both day and night sessions. The effects were often very large. For example, at night, consumption of caffeinated coffee produced comparable alertness ratings to the day-time ratings given when juice was drunk. In contrast to the effects of caffeinated coffee, the difference between the decaffeinated coffee and juice were small and variable. Overall, these results clearly demonstrate the beneficial effects of consuming caffeinated coffee, and show that this effect is comparable in the day and night.

Copyright © 1993 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

A.P. Smith, Health, of Psychology Research Unit, School of Pschology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, PO Box 901, Cardiff CF1 3YG (UK)

  Article Information

Published online: February 22, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 7