Oxygen as a Limiting Factor for Performing Multitasking

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cognitive Change
• Interventions: Device: Hyperbaric chamber, normal air; Device: Hyperbaric oxygen

• Registration Number: NCT03126669
• Lead Sponsor: Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center

Brief Summary

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) environment, with increased oxygen supply to the brain, will enable better performance of complex and/or multiple activities.

Detailed Description

The Brain uses 20% of the total oxygen supply consumed by the entire body. Even though, less than 10% of the brain is active at every given time, the brain utilizes almost all the oxygen delivered. In order to perform different tasks or more than one task (multi-tasking), the oxygen supply is shifted from one brain region to another, via modulation of blood perfusion.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) environment, with increased oxygen supply to the brain, will enable better performance of complex and/or multiple activities.

Methods: a prospective, double blind randomized control, cross over trial including healthy volunteers. Participants were asked to perform a cognitive task, a motor task and a simultaneous cognitive-motor task (multi-tasking). Participants were randomized to perform the tasks at 2 environments: (a) normobaric air (1ATA 21% oxygen) (b) HBO (2ATA 100% oxygen). Two weeks later participants were crossed to the alternative environment. Blinding of the normobaric environment was achieved in the same chamber with masks on while hyperbaric sensation was simulated by increasing pressure in the first minute and gradually decreasing to normobaric environment prior to tasks performance.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-11-01
• Primary Completion: 2016-11-30
• Study Completion: 2017-03-25
• Study First Submitted: 2017-04-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-04-20
• Study First Posted: 2017-04-24
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-01
• Last Update Posted: 2024-07-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• healthy volunteers,
• minimum of 12 years of formal education

Exclusion Criteria

• any inner ear pathologies,
• any lung disease,
• any mental or physical limitation of participat in going into oxygen chamber environment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo	Hyperbaric chamber, normal air	normal air, in the hyperbaric chamber
Treratment	Hyperbaric oxygen	100% oxygen at 2 ATA at the hyperbaric chamber

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cognitive/Attention Symbol-Digit Modality Test (SDMT)	45 minutes	Three different forms of the SDMT were used in each evaluation session. The first was a try-out for the test, ensuring understanding of the task. The second tests the ability to per-form an individual task. The third form was used together with the motor test for examin-ing dual task performance. Standard administration procedures were followed as indicat-ed in the test manual. The score of the test is the number of correct substitutions during 90-second interval.
Motor task: transferring of beans	45 minutes	Motor performance was evaluated by the Motor Assessment Scale test (MAS) - transfer-ring units of beans one by one between two tea cups an arm length away.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center; 🇮🇱 Zerifin, Israel