Sleep, Breathing and Psychomotor Performance at Altitude: A Physiologic Study in Healthy Subjects

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy Men

• Registration Number: NCT01130948
• Lead Sponsor: University of Zurich

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effect of altitude exposure on sleep, breathing and psychomotor performance in healthy subjects.

Detailed Description

Sleep is essential for well being and performance. Sleep disturbances by recurrent apnea and hypoxia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome impair quality of life, cognitive and cardiovascular functions. Similar consequences occur in healthy subjects exposed to hypoxia at altitude due to periodic breathing with recurrent central apnea. This project will investigate effects of altitude on sleep, breathing, psychomotor performance and on the cardiovascular system in healthy subjects and patients with sleep apnea. The results will help to better understand mechanisms of sleep disturbances and psychomotor impairment induced by hypoxia and to prevent adverse effects of altitude exposure.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2010-05
• Study First Submitted: 2010-05-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-05-25
• Study First Posted: 2010-05-26
• Primary Completion: 2010-10
• Study Completion: 2010-10
• Status Verified: 2014-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-05-18
• Last Update Posted: 2014-05-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 51

Inclusion Criteria

• healthy men
• residence at <800m

Exclusion Criteria

• any active disease requiring treatment
• requirement for regular use of medication
• smoking, regular intake of alcohol or drugs
• body mass index <18 or >30 kg/m2
• previous intolerance of moderate altitude (<3000m)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
apnea/hypopnea index	day 1-4 at altitude
Reaction time	day 1-4 at altitude	psychomotor vigilance test reaction time

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Psychomotor vigilance	day 1-4 at altitude	performance in the Motor Task Manager test
arterial applanation tonometry	day 1-4 at altitude	endothelial function and arterial stiffness
sleep quality	day 1-4 at altitude	percent of slow wave sleep, araousal index

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital of Zurich, Pulmonary Division; 🇨🇭 Zurich, Switzerland