A new scientific study has provided alarming evidence that acute sleep deprivation significantly impairs attention and cognitive processing, particularly in high-performance athletes. Published in the journal Neuroscience, the study focused on table tennis players in China and found that 36 hours without sleep resulted in slower reaction times, decreased attention, poorer processing capacity, and measurably weaker connections between key regions of the brain PsyPost summary.
This news is especially pertinent as Thailand faces increasing concerns over insufficient sleep among its youth and working-age adults. In a country where late-night study habits, long work hours, and a vibrant nightlife culture are common, the consequences highlighted by this research go far beyond sporting performance—they apply to students, office workers, shift employees, and anyone who regularly sacrifices restful sleep.
Researchers led by Ziyi Peng studied 20 healthy, right-handed male table tennis players, all around the age of 20, who reported good prior sleep habits and had no history of mental or neurological disorders. To evaluate the impact of sleep deprivation, these participants were first trained on a demanding spatial cognitive task until achieving at least 80% accuracy, ensuring a solid baseline of performance. Their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) before and after sleep deprivation.
Afterward, the athletes were closely monitored while staying awake for 36 consecutive hours, with medical staff ensuring that no stimulants (such as coffee or energy drinks) were used. Upon completing this grueling period, participants again underwent cognitive testing and brain scans.
The results were striking. Reaction times on the cognitive tasks were significantly slower, showing that insufficient sleep directly leads to mental sluggishness—an outcome relevant not only to athletes but to drivers, students, and medical personnel in Thailand who may find themselves needing sustained attention during extended or late shifts. Moreover, the EEG data revealed that essential areas of the brain involved in executive control and visual-spatial processing—the frontal and occipital lobes—became less coordinated after sleep loss, underscoring the deeper neurological risks of missing sleep.
According to the authors, “After 36 hours of sleep deprivation, the spatial cognitive ability of table tennis athletes was impaired. Sleep deprivation not only led to a reduction in the allocation of attentional resources and cognitive processing capabilities in these athletes, but also weakened functional connectivity between the frontal and occipital lobes of the brain.”
This research provides valuable insight into the mechanics of sleep deprivation on the brain, but it also aligns with a substantial body of scientific evidence documenting the hazards of sleep loss. Acute sleep deprivation—remaining awake for a full day or more—can trigger lapses in attention, impaired memory, and compromised decision-making skills. Over time, chronic insufficient sleep has been connected to increased risks of accidents, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, and even disruptions in hormone regulation, including those responsible for appetite and stress management (CDC - Sleep and Chronic Disease).
Emotionally, sleep deprivation takes a toll by increasing irritability, mood swings, and sensitivity to stress. The phenomenon of “microsleeps”—brief, uncontrollable episodes of sleep—has been implicated in road accidents worldwide, including Thailand, where recent statistics show that driver fatigue remains a significant risk factor for crashes during long holiday periods such as Songkran (WHO Road Safety - Thailand).
While the study was limited by its lack of a control group, making it difficult to determine whether all observed effects were due exclusively to lack of sleep, its measured results align closely with previous experimental evidence. Furthermore, its focus on elite athletes is especially relevant to Thailand, which is investing heavily in sports development and hoping to produce world-class performers in fields ranging from sepak takraw to badminton and e-sports.
Experts consulted by the Bangkok Post agree that these findings carry weight for the broader Thai public. A leading sleep researcher at a major Thai university explained, “Young people in Thailand—especially university students and junior workers—often report cutting sleep to cope with exam preparations or work demands. The evidence is clear that sleep deprivation undermines both learning and job performance and may have broader impacts on mental health and emotional stability.” The spokesperson from the Ministry of Public Health’s Division of Non-Communicable Diseases added, “Awareness campaigns are urgently needed to change public attitudes. Prioritising sleep is a matter of national health and productivity.”
Students, in particular, are at heightened risk. The Ministry of Education’s latest health surveillance indicates that nearly 40% of secondary school students in Thailand get fewer than 6 hours of sleep on weeknights, well below the recommended 8–10 hours for teenagers (Ministry of Education data). Common causes include heavy homework loads, smartphone and social media use late into the night, and in some cases, part-time work.
Culturally, Thailand’s vibrant night economy—ranging from 24-hour eateries to bustling night markets and round-the-clock service jobs—may contribute to a normalization of sleep deprivation. As more Thais participate in the global digital economy, working international shifts or freelancing for overseas clients, disrupted sleep schedules have become increasingly common.
Looking to the future, experts warn that the stakes are growing. Data from the World Economic Forum and Thai research institutions suggest that productivity losses linked to sleep problems could already be costing the economy billions of baht annually through absenteeism and avoidable medical expenses (WEF - The Cost of Sleep Loss).
The issue is especially pressing at a time when the use of digital devices is soaring—Thailand ranks among the top countries globally for smartphone and social media access. Recent research indicates that “blue light” from device screens can further suppress melatonin production and delay bedtime, compounding the risks of sleep debt (Harvard Health Publishing). Meanwhile, the cultural practice of krathin merit-making—often involving all-night ceremonies—and “night owl” habits among teenagers have also drawn attention from public health officials.
There is a growing consensus that reversing the trend will require coordinated action from the government, educational institutions, employers, and families. Practical steps that Thai readers can take include:
- Setting a consistent bedtime and wake time, even on weekends
- Creating a dark, cool, and quiet sleep environment
- Limiting screen use at least an hour before bed, or using “night mode” blue light filters
- Avoiding caffeine and heavy meals in the late evening
- Engaging in regular physical activity, while not exercising too close to bedtime
- Parents and teachers should model healthy sleep habits and educate youth on the importance of sleep for brain development and emotional well-being
For policymakers, introducing sleep education into school health curricula, mandating rest breaks for shift workers, and investing in public awareness campaigns would go far toward shifting cultural norms. At the community level, Buddhist temples and local leaders can help by highlighting traditional teachings on moderation—including proper rest—as part of holistic well-being.
The science is clear: chronic or acute sleep deprivation diminishes attention, impairs mental capacity, and weakens the very brain networks we rely on for learning, working, and interacting. In a fast-changing Thailand, making time for restorative sleep could be the single most cost-effective step individuals and society can take to safeguard mental, physical, and economic health.
Sources: PsyPost | CDC | WHO Road Safety Profile: Thailand | Ministry of Education, Thailand | World Economic Forum | Harvard Health Publishing