[Effects of short-action hypnotics triazolam and zopiclone on simulated flight performance]

To evaluate the effects of short-action hypnotics triazolam and zopiclone on simulated flight performance so as to provide experimental evidences for the use of these drugs in aircrew.

Six healthy young male volunteers served as the subjects. They were asked to take triazolam (0.25 mg), zopiclone (7.5 mg) or placebo at noon time (13:00) and sleep for 1 h. Simulated flight performances were tested in a simulator 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 6 b, 8 h, 10 h and 20 h (next morning 9:00) after taking the drugs. The experiments were done once a week for 3 weeks.

No significant difference was found between simulated flight performances before or after triazolam while simulated flight performances at 2 h and 3 h after taking zopiclone showed significant decrease (P<0.05), but restored to normal 4 h after taking the drug.

Short-action hypnotics triazolam had no significant effect on simulated flight performance, while zopiclone had significant adverse effects on simulated flight performance at 2 h and 3 h after taking the drug.