Residual effects of eszopiclone on daytime alertness, psychomotor, physical performance and subjective evaluations

Abstract

Hypnotics may be used by athletes to avoid sleep disturbance or insufficient sleep the night before sports events. However, in the past, taking hypnotics for sleep disturbances resulted in an unsuccessful attempt due to residual effects. The purpose of this study is to assess the residual effects of eszopiclone (2 mg), one of the non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, on physical performance, psychomotor function and subjective evaluations in 12 healthy athletes. Eszopiclone did not have serious side effects in athletic evaluations. This medication significantly improved short-term memory test rather than placebo and did not impair any other objective evaluations in athletes. There was no change in well-being and fatigue scales on the following day in the eszopiclone session, but daytime alertness was significantly worsened in the subjective evaluations. Eszopiclone has a hypnotic activity without disturbing psychomotor and physical performance on the following day when given to healthy adults, suggesting eszopiclone may be used in healthy athletes to adjust their extrinsic sleep disturbances and their consecutive psychomotor and physical impairments.