Revisiting the Concept of Vigilance

Abstract

Vigilance deficits can be observed after a period of prolonged, continuous wakefulness. In this context there has been extensive research targeting the impact of sleep deficits on different aspects of vigilance, but the underlying concept of vigilance was hardly ever addressed and discussed. One reason for this shortcoming is the unclear and ambiguous definition of the term vigilance, which is commonly used interchangeably with sustained attention and even wakefulness. This confusion is the result of a wide range of misleading definitions, starting in the 1940s, as psychologists redefined the concept of vigilance suggested by British Neurologist, Henry Head, in 1923. Nevertheless, the concept of vigilance is still useful and innovative, especially in treating sleep problems in children and young adults. This paper reviews the current usage of the term vigilance in sleep-wake-research and describes not only the benefits, but even more clearly, its limitations. By re-focusing on the definitions given by Henry Head, the concept of vigilance is an innovative way to gather new insights into the interplay between sleep– and daytime behaviors. In addition, future research on vigilance should consider three perspectives: 1st vigilance perceived as a process to allocate resources, 2nd vigilance associated with compensatory behaviors and 3rd the role of vigilance in human environmental interactions. This approach, understood as a conceptual framework, provides new perspectives by targeting sleep-wake behaviors as a ‘real life’ outcome measure, reflecting both physical and cognitive performance as well as sleep quality and quantity.

Aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin – eine Einschätzung der AG „Pädiatrie“

“…B. Entwicklungsneurologie/-psychologie, Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie) befindet, wird transdisziplinäres Denken zur Notwendigkeit, um Krankheitsbilder ganzheitlich und fachübergreifend erkennen zu können. Eine besondere Bedeutung kommt dabei den niedergelassenen KollegInnen zu, da die Klärung der Ursachen der Tagesmüdigkeit [ 39 ], die Interpretation des Blutbildes und das Erkennen des Eisenmangels mit Eisensubstitution als Therapie der ersten Wahl bei RLS [ 34 , 36 ] – aber auch bei ADHS [ 32 , 40 ] – schon im niedergelassenen Bereich erfolgen kann. Diese Gesichtspunkte werden in der AWMF-Neufassung der D‑A-CH-Leitlinie zum Restless-Legs-Syndrom angesprochen, fehlen aber noch in der ADHS-Leitlinie der AWMF.…”

Social-ecological considerations informing a universal screening strategy for sleep health in the community

“…The medicalization of the initially observation-based descriptive vigilance concept has resulted in a variety of lab-based tests for its evaluation, such as the Mackworth clock test in 1948 ( 28 – 31 ). However, undertaking such vigilance tests is boring and they do not actively invite participation or attention, particularly not for children and adolescents ( 32 ). Therefore motivation, sleepiness, and capacity to attend may be compounding factors on the lab-based assessment of vigilance.…”

The Face of Affective Disorders

“…Alpha waves are known to be involved in the deactivation of the corresponding brain region [10]. However, there are also several surrogate measurements linked to this arousal dynamic since it is not always possible to incorporate obtrusive sensor like EEG or the more popular stationary sensing devices like Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology [47]. More recent studies have analyzed vigilance regulation while one's eyes are open.…”

“…The larger the distances become, the more likely it is to be able to observe a longer reaction time. Reaction times are often associated with severity of symptoms and are also linked to vigilance regulation [47].…”