Effect of Supplemental Oxygen Therapy on Neurocognitive Performance in Healthy Highlanders

ConditionNeurocognition

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phasePhase 4

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18+

SponsorUniversity of Zurich

About this trial

Exposure to high altitudes, defined as locations above 2500 m, has been shown to cause cognitive alternations due to reduced blood oxygenation (SpO2). However, it remains to be determined whether cognitive changes are present in highlanders living at moderate altitudes (2500 m) and whether cognitive alterations are reversible with supplemental oxygen therapy (SOT).

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Signed written consent

Age >18

Kyrgyz ethnicity

Born, raised and living at approximately 2500 m

Disqualifiers

Severe disease such as unstable hypertension, coronary heart disease, pulmonary diseases, others.

Regular use of medication that interfere with sleep or breathing such as benzodiazepines, opioids, acetazolamide

Heavy smoking of >20 cigarettes per day

Not able to read or adhere to the study protocol

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

Supplemental oxygen therapy
Drug
5 L/min supplemental oxygen therapy administered through nasal canula.
Sham intervention
Other intervention
5 L/min sham intervention administered through nasal canula.

Treatment groups

50 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: SOT followed by Sham interventionActive comparator 2 interventions

Group B: Sham intervention followed by SOTSham comparator 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Psychomotor vigilance reaction time

The difference in the reaction time during a 10-minute psychomotor vigilance test between SOT and Sham intervention.

Time frame