Dehydration Impairs Cognitive Performance: A Meta-analysis

Dehydration (DEH) is believed to impair cognitive performance but which domains are affected and at what magnitude of body mass loss (BML) remains unclear. PURPOSE To conduct systematic literature review and meta-analysis to determine the effect size (ES) of DEH on cognitive performance and influence of experimental design factors (e.g., DEH > 2% BML). METHODS Thirty-three studies were identified, providing 280 ES estimates from 413 subjects with DEH ranging from 1-6% BML. Outcome variables (accuracy, reaction time), cognitive domains, and methods to induce DEH varied. ES were calculated using standardized mean differences and multivariate meta-analysis. RESULTS Impairment of cognitive performance (all domains/outcomes) with DEH was small but significant (ES = −0.21; 95% CI: [−0.31, −0.11], p 2% BML (ES = −0.28, 95% CI: [−0.41, −0.16] compared to ≤ 2% (ES = −0.14, 95% CI: [−0.27, −0.00]). CONCLUSIONS Despite variability among studies, DEH impairs cognitive performance, particularly for tasks involving attention, executive function, and motor coordination when water deficits exceed 2% body mass loss. Corresponding Author: Mindy Millard-Stafford, mindy.millardstafford@ap.gatech.edu, 555 14th St NW, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA, 30332, Telephone: (404) 894-6274, Fax: 404 894-9982 All authors had no conflict of interest, including relevant financial interests, activities, relationships, and affiliations to declare relating to this manuscript. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by the American College of Sports Medicine. Accepted for Publication: 24 May 2018 © 2018 American College of Sports Medicine

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