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Effects of the common cold on mood and performance
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, UK. Andy.P.Smith@bris.ac.uk
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|December 17, 1998
Summary
Colds, or upper respiratory tract illnesses (URTIs), significantly impair mood and performance, slowing reaction times and reducing alertness. These effects occur regardless of the specific virus identified, highlighting a broad impact on cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Virology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Previous studies indicate upper respiratory tract illnesses (URTIs) affect mood and cognition.
- Methodological gaps exist in identifying specific viral agents in naturally occurring colds.
- Understanding the impact of URTIs on performance is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of naturally occurring colds on mood and objective performance measures.
- To utilize virological assays to identify the infecting agents in common colds.
- To compare performance and mood across different URTI groups and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional comparison of healthy individuals (n=37) and those with colds (n=158).
- Longitudinal study tracking volunteers who developed colds (n=100) and remained healthy (n=87).
- Application of virological techniques for pathogen identification and group comparisons.
Main Results:
- Colds were associated with reduced subjective alertness and slowed reaction times.
- These impairments were consistent across colds with identified viruses (rhinovirus, coronavirus) and those without detected agents.
- Both cross-sectional and longitudinal data supported the negative impact of colds on psychomotor functioning.
Conclusions:
- Upper respiratory tract illnesses demonstrably reduce alertness and impair psychomotor performance.
- The observed effects are independent of the specific identified viral cause.
- Future research should explore underlying mechanisms and real-world implications, such as driving safety, and develop treatments addressing cognitive impairments.