The Effects of Hypoxic Hypoxia on Cognitive Performance Decay

Ten subjects were exposed to one of four hypobaric chamber conditions: ground level, 10,000 feet, 15,000 feet, and 20,000 feet equivalent altitude pressures. Ground level tests involved two contiguous 20-minute segments: randomly assigned 100% oxygen during one segment and 21% oxygen during the othe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Morgan, Thomas, Combs, Elizabeth, Clayton, Megan, Dart, Todd S, Fischer, Joseph, O Connor, Robert B, Pilmanis, Andrew, Scully, Sean P
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ALTITUDE
COGNITION
COGNITIVE FUNCTION
COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
EXPOSURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
FLIGHT CREWS
HYPOBARIC CHAMBERS
HYPOXIA
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Medicine and Medical Research
MONITORING
OXIMETERS
PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
Psychology
PULSE OXIMETRY
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Summary:Ten subjects were exposed to one of four hypobaric chamber conditions: ground level, 10,000 feet, 15,000 feet, and 20,000 feet equivalent altitude pressures. Ground level tests involved two contiguous 20-minute segments: randomly assigned 100% oxygen during one segment and 21% oxygen during the other. Altitude conditions involved breathing 100% oxygen for the 15-minute baseline phase before being covertly switched to 21% oxygen for the hypoxic phase. One hour post-test, a 15-minute cognitive test session was conducted with the subject breathing air at ground level (recovery phase). Blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and cognitive performance were measured using simple and choice reaction tests. The cognitive assessment measurements were percent correct response, reaction time (ms), movement time (ms), and total response time (ms). A pulse oximeter comparison was also conducted comparing a helmet-mounted Nonin vs. Propaq finger-mounted oximeter. Cognitive performance showed statistically significant degradation at all three altitude test conditions for simple and choice reaction cognitive tests. No statistical differences were seen for any of the outcome measures when comparing the recovery phase data to the baseline phase data. Pulse oximeter comparison indicated that the helmet-mounted Nonin oximeter provided better measurement at all test altitudes. Prepared in collaboration with the Wyle Science Technology and Engineering Group, Brooks City-Base, TX. Sponsored in part by the Air Force Medical Operations Agency, USAF Surgeon General s Office.