Effects of Drugs on Human Performance: Effects of Scopolamine on Representative Human Performance Tests

摘要

The technical report describes one of a series of studies on the effects of drugs on human performance. The study investigated the effects of scopolamine (12 gamma/kg.) on the ability of volunteer subjects to perform a variety of tests which represented a wide range of human ability in the areas of sensory-perceptual, psychomotor, physical proficiency, and cognitive performance. The tests included measures of visual acuity, time estimation, reaction time, manual dexterity, balance, grip strength, addition and short term memory. The results showed the following: (1) Scopolamine generally caused a decrement in performance in all tests; (2) In general, performance was poorest from two to four hours after drug administration; (3) Among the abilities studied, near visual acuity was most severely affected, while grip strength, reaction time and time estimation were only slightly affected. (Author)