The Psychophysiological Effect of Simulated and Terrestrial Altitude (Hypoxia)

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

Status: Completed

Conditions: Altitude Sickness; Altitude Hypoxia; Mountain Sickness; Hypoxia, Altitude; Altitude; Hypoxia

Treatments: Behavioral: Cloud 9; Behavioral: Terrestrial altitude

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04075565

2019-00504

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to compare the psychophysiological effects of terrestrial altitude with a normobaric, hypoxic situation.

Full description

Research has consistently shown that exposure to extreme environments (such as high altitude stays) may affect cognitive function. For logistical reasons and to control the experimental set-ups, most of these examinations are carried out in the laboratory. By testing under such controlled conditions, researchers can remove any co-foundational factors and isolate the cause of stress, thereby better understanding the mechanisms by which impairment can occur. However, when people are exposed to such environments in the "real world" (such as altitude), they often experience a number of other additional stressors at the same time, which can also affect their performance. Surprisingly, however, little attention has been paid to the study of these additional stressors in combination.

Although the oxygen content remains constant at various altitudes (20.93%), the air pressure decreases exponentially as the altitude increases. As a result, the oxygen partial pressure in arterial blood and tissue is reduced (hypoxia), leading to a deterioration in both physical and cognitive performance. Hypoxic conditions also alter the perception of pain, which may be particularly relevant for patients suffering from hypoxic conditions. According to the authors' knowledge, there is limited literature investigating and comparing simulated and real psychophysiological responses.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy, adults aged 18 to 50 years
• No cardiovascular disease and / or surgery
• no surgery on the cardiovascular system.
• No current injuries and / or pain
• Regular and adequate sleep
• No terrestrial altitude of 1000 m exceeded last month (including flights)
• No form of hypoxia exposed last month

Exclusion criteria

• Age over 50 years
• current injuries of any kind and / or pain
• Acute and / or chronic pain conditions Known general diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
• fear of hypoxia
• fear of heights or sensitivity to terrestrial altitude
• Regular use of medicines (also bought by yourself), except for contraceptives
• Cardiovascular diseases or abnormalities
• Anomalies of the blood analysis or ECG
• Psychological disorders
• pregnancy / lactation

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 3 patient groups

Simulated altitude

Active Comparator group

Description:

The participants are exposed to simulated altitude in a normobaric situation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cloud 9

Terrestrial altitude

Experimental group

Description:

The participants are exposed to terrestrial altitude in a hypobaric situation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Terrestrial altitude

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

the participants are exposed to a normoxic and normobaric environment.