Effects of Alcohol Hangover on Cognitive Performance: Findings from a Field/Internet Mixed Methodology Study

Scholey, Andrew; Benson, Sarah; Kaufman, Jordy; Terpstra, Chantal; Ayre, Elizabeth; Verster, Joris C.; Allen, Cory; Devilly, Grant J. · 2019 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3390/jcm8040440

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Summary

This study addresses the inconsistent findings and methodological limitations in research regarding the cognitive effects of alcohol hangover. Previous studies often relied on self-reported alcohol consumption or lacked ecological validity due to controlled laboratory settings. The authors aimed to determine the relationship between objectively measured Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC), hangover severity, and next-day cognitive performance using a mixed methodology that combines field data collection with internet-based assessment. The researchers employed a naturalistic design involving 346 patrons leaving the central entertainment district of Brisbane, Australia. Participants were breathalyzed and interviewed regarding their drinking behavior. Those with BACs of 0.05% or higher were invited to complete an online survey the following morning. Of these, 105 participants provided complete datasets. The next-day assessment included the Alcohol Hangover Severity Scale (AHSS) and the eTMT-B, an online analogue of the Trail Making Test B, which measures executive function, working memory, and psychomotor speed. A pilot study with 24 volunteers first validated the eTMT-B, showing comparable completion times and error rates to the traditional paper-and-pencil version. The results indicated that hangover severity was significantly correlated with the previous night’s BAC ($r = 0.228, p = 0.019$). Cognitive performance, measured by eTMT-B completion time, was significantly correlated with hangover severity ($r = 0.245, p = 0.012$), previous night’s BAC ($r = 0.197, p = 0.041$), and the duration of drinking ($r = 0.376, p < 0.001$). Longer drinking times and higher BACs were associated with slower completion times on the executive function task. The sample reported a mean BAC of 0.11% and consumed an average of 13.5 standard drinks over 7.45 hours. These findings confirm that alcohol hangover negatively impacts cognitive functioning, specifically impairing working memory and executive performance. The study demonstrates that higher alcohol consumption and longer drinking durations are linked to worse hangover symptoms and poorer cognitive outcomes. Furthermore, the results support the utility of internet-based measures in hangover research, offering a method that maintains ecological validity while allowing for precise linking of physiological data (BAC) to next-day symptomatology and performance. This approach addresses previous methodological challenges by reducing reliance on memory for alcohol intake and providing a convenient way to assess participants in their natural environment.

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