0060 A Meta-Analytic Investigation of the Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Inhibitory Control

Abstract Introduction Research has suggested that varying degrees of sleep deprivation have a detrimental effect on inhibitory control (a collection of neural processes evoked to suppress a prepotent response). This is the first meta-analysis to assess the impact of sleep deprivation on inhibitory control in controlled studies. Methods The review was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Four electronic databases, APAPsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL and Embase, were systematically searched from inception to November 2023. Selection criteria included studies that conducted experimentally induced sleep disruption (sleep deprivation protocols) in healthy adults (aged above 18 years, no sleep-related/mental disorders/cognitive impairments) and reported inhibitory control performance defined by the Go/No-Go and/or Stop-Signal Task paradigms. Quality appraisal was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomised Trials (RoB 2) and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I). Effect sizes (Hedge’s g) examining the impact of sleep deprivation on inhibitory control were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Results Twenty-four studies (n = 712 participants) were included. Sleep deprivation protocols included total sleep deprivation (N= 21 studies), partial sleep deprivation (N= 2) and both (N= 1). Seventeen studies used the Go/No-Go Task, and seven studies used the Stop Signal Task. The meta-analysis showed sleep deprivation negatively affected inhibitory control as measured by the Go/No-Go and Stop-Signal (Hedge’s g = 0.481, [95% CI: 0.361 to 0.600], p < .001, I2 = 43%). Sleep deprivation effects were similar across Go/No-Go (Hedge’s g = 0.475, [95% CI: 0.346 to 0.604], p < .001, I2 =34%) and Stop-Signal performance (Hedge’s g = 0.482, [95% CI: 0.190 to 0.773], p < .001, I2 =63%). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that sleep deprivation has a significant negative impact on inhibitory control as measured by Go/No-Go and Stop-Signal. These results have important implications regarding the impacts of sleep deprivation on the ability to suppress prepotent responses. Resultant impaired decision-making, higher levels of risk-taking behaviours and difficulties in stopping and modifying planned actions may have real-world consequences for workplace or vehicular safety. Support (if any) Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPRS)