Mismatch between subjective alertness and objective performance under sleep restriction is greatest during the biological night

Subjective alertness ratings may not accurately reflect neurobehavioural impairment during sleep restriction, particularly at night.

• Neurobehavioural performance and subjective alertness were measured in 27 young healthy males under different sleep conditions.
• In the standard sleep protocol, performance and alertness ratings deviated similarly from baseline averages.
• During the sleep-restricted protocol, performance impairment was greater than the reported subjective alertness, especially at night.
• This discrepancy indicates that individuals with sleep restriction may underestimate their cognitive deficits during nighttime hours.

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