Effects of Acute Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure on Neurocognitive Performance of Pre-hospital Emergency Service Providers

Summary

The study aims to evaluate the effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on cognitive performance (H0: cognitive performance at 200 meters above sea level (asl) = cognitive performance at 3000 meters above sea level = cognitive performance at 5000 meters above sea level).

Before participating in the study, each participant will respond to a questionnaire related to high altitude exposure (prior 3 months), as well as inclusion/exclusion criteria evaluation.

On day 0, after the interview and signed informed consent, the participant will undergo a medical examination that will include a general objective examination. Participants will participate in a training on the emergency and safety procedures of the hypobaric hypoxia facility, as well as a refresh on cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedure.

During the following two days (day 1 and 2) the study protocol will be executed (one test per day). The study protocol envisages:

* a basal cognitive test battery
* blind ascent in the hypobaric chamber to simulated altitude
* cognitive test battery
* 5 minutes of recorded chest compressions on dummies
* cognitive test battery
* blind descent in the hypobaric chamber.

During the stay in the hypobaric hypoxic facility, each participant will be monitored in real time with the Equivital© medical monitoring device.

Before and after the stay in the hypobaric hypoxic facility, a saliva sample will be collected, and psychological tests administered.

Conditions

• Hypobaric Hypoxia
• Cognitive Deterioration
• Emergency Medicine
• Resuscitation
• Stress Physiology

Interventions

OTHER

Altitude exposure in climate chamber

Altitude exposure in a climate chamber will consist of hypobaric hypoxia similar to the conditions found at 3000m asl and 5000m asl.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University Innsbruck

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Graz

  collaborator OTHER

• Università degli Studi di Trento

  collaborator OTHER

• Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige

  collaborator OTHER

• Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica CNR

  collaborator OTHER

• Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Giacomo Strapazzon, MD PhD · Eurac Research, Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-10-25

Primary Completion

2019-11-11

Completion

2019-11-11

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations