Total sleep deprivation decreases flow experience and mood status

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sleep deprivation on flow experience.

Methods: Sixteen healthy male volunteers of mean age 21.4±1.59 (21-24) years participated in two experimental conditions, ie, sleep-deprivation and normal sleep. In the sleep-deprived condition, participants stayed awake at home for 36 hours (from 8 am until 10 pm the next day) beginning on the day prior to an experimental day. In both conditions, participants carried out a simple reaction time (psychomotor vigilance) task and responded to a questionnaire measuring flow experience and mood status.

Results: Flow experience was reduced after one night of total sleep deprivation. Sleep loss also decreased positive mood, increased negative mood, and decreased psychomotor performance.

Conclusion: Sleep deprivation has a strong impact on mental and behavioral states associated with the maintenance of flow, namely subjective well-being.

Keywords: flow; mood; sleep deprivation; sleepiness; vigilance.

Figure 1

Time schedule of the experiment. Abbreviations: SD, sleep-deprived; NS, normal sleep; PVT, psychomotor vigilance test; POMS, Profile of Mood Status; FCL, Flow Checklist.

Figure 2

Flow checklist scores (range 1–7). Notes: *P<0.05; **P<0.01. Confidence refers to “confidence in competence”, challenge refers to “achieving goals”, and immersion refers to “positive emotion and absorption”. Vertical lines (ie, deviation) in the figures show standard errors.

Figure 3

Profile of Mood status scores (range 1–100). Notes: *P<0.05; **P<0.01.

Figure 4

Median reaction times and lapses on psychomotor vigilance testing. The vertical lines (ie, deviation) in the figures show standard errors. Note: *P<0.05.