Ambulatory motor activity monitoring to study the timecourse of hypnotic action

A solid state activity monitor worn on the wrist was used to study the effect of flunitrazepam, flurazepam, temazepam, triazolam and midazolam. All compounds reduced motor activity in the first half, but only flunitrazepam and flurazepam had an effect during the second half of the bed rest period. Ambulatory activity monitoring is an unobtrusive and simple method for investigating timecourse of action.