The effects of sleep deprivation on medical personnel have received much attention. This study evaluates the effects of sleep loss on divergent-thinking (creative or innovative) processes as measured by the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT). Anesthesia residents who had approximately 30 minutes sleep while being on-call were evaluated. These physicians had similar caffeine and nicotine consumption before and after the test. The results reported here demonstrate that postcall residents had TTCT scores that were appreciably below those scores of rested residents. Postcall verbal fluency was less among the on-call group than among the rested group (94.0 +/- 9.7 vs 101.8 +/- 9.8) as was figural originality (89.9 +/- 22.1 vs 113.3 +/- 20.3). These study results suggest that sleep deprivation affects divergent, or creative, thinking. Divergent-thinking processes are usually innovative and are used during complex problem-solving tasks. Further studies are needed on the effects of sleep deprivation. This information can then be used to help improve residents' working conditions and patient care.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. T. Arnedt, J. Owens, M. Crouch, J. Stahl, and M. A. Carskadon Neurobehavioral Performance of Residents After Heavy Night Call vs After Alcohol Ingestion JAMA, September 7, 2005; 294(9): 1025 - 1033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. I. Ellman, M. G. Law, C. Tache-Leon, T. B. Reece, T. S. Maxey, B. B. Peeler, J. A. Kern, C. G. Tribble, and I. L. Kron Sleep deprivation does not affect operative results in cardiac surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2004; 78(3): 906 - 911. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Veasey, R. Rosen, B. Barzansky, I. Rosen, and J. Owens Sleep Loss and Fatigue in Residency Training: A Reappraisal JAMA, September 4, 2002; 288(9): 1116 - 1124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. B. Weinger and S. Ancoli-Israel Sleep Deprivation and Clinical Performance JAMA, February 27, 2002; 287(8): 955 - 957. [Full Text] [PDF]