Context: Caffeine produces positive effects on mood and performance. However, tolerance may develop following habitual use. Simple reaction time is an important parameter to judge the alertness and visual motor performance as it represents the integrity of sensory, motor and coordination system of the body. So, present study is carried out to see the effect of caffeine on alertness & performance in non-caffeinated state & after regular long term moderate caffeine consumption in young healthy adults. Aims: To see the reaction time in healthy young subjects who were not regular caffeine consumers, before and after acute dose of caffeine and in same subjects after six months of regular moderate daily caffeine consumption. Methods and Material: The study was conducted on 30 male and 30 female healthy subjects reporting a caffeine intake equal to less than two servings i.e. 200mg. in age group 20 to 25 years. Thorough general and systemic examination was carried out. Reaction time was recorded before and 30 minutes after intake of about 250 mg of caffeine. The same subjects were asked to drink 2-5 cups of coffee per day for next six months. After six months, subjects were assessed before and 30 minutes after intake of caffeine. Statistical analysis used: Student's Paired t test was applied to compare the RT before and after intake of caffeine. Unpaired t test was applied to compare the audiovisual RT between male and female subjects. A P value <0.05 is considered as significant. Results: The auditory reaction times are faster than visual reaction times. Males reacted faster than females though not statistically significant. Reaction Time to Auditory and Visual stimuli reduced very significantly after intake of caffeine in both Males and Females in non-habitual caffeine consumption state. It decreases significantly after acute dose of caffeine in same subjects after regular long term consumption of moderate caffeine as well, though the decrease is less than that in non-habitual state. Conclusions: The caffeine was effective in improving audiovisual reaction time in both the states that is non habitual caffeine consumption state and in the same subjects after regular long term consumption of moderate caffeine
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