Compare Training Strategies to Maintain Cognitive Performance Under Respiratory Load
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 15
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Psychomotor Vigilance Task Response Time
研究概览
简要总结
• Statement of the Problem and Justification Cognitive performance under physiologically stressful conditions is critical in high-demand environments such as military operations, diving, and firefighting. One such stressor is restricted breathing, which can occur due to equipment (e.g., masks, regulators) or environmental pressures (e.g., underwater). Restricted breathing has been shown to increase physiological strain, which may in turn impact attention, reaction time, and task execution. Despite this, there is limited research examining how different breathing strategies can mitigate the cognitive effects of restricted respiration.
Understanding whether specific breathing techniques can preserve cognitive function under stress has practical implications for operational readiness, safety, and task performance in extreme or demanding environments.
• Synopsis of Relevant Research Previous human studies have shown that controlled breathing techniques, such as tactical or box breathing (inhale-hold-exhale-hold patterns), can reduce anxiety and improve focus in stressful situations. For example, tactical breathing has been adopted in military and law enforcement settings to enhance performance under pressure. Other research in sports psychology and respiratory therapy suggests that altering breathing frequency or depth can modulate autonomic nervous system activity, potentially affecting cognitive control and reaction time.
Additionally, psychomotor vigilance tasks (PVTs) have been widely used to assess the impact of physiological stressors - such as sleep deprivation, hypoxia, and fatigue - on sustained attention and reaction time. However, few studies have directly examined the interaction between structured breathing patterns and PVT performance during restrictive breathing loads.
• Importance and Next Step This study represents a logical next step in understanding how breathing techniques can buffer against cognitive decline under conditions that simulate real-world respiratory restriction (e.g., underwater diving). By directly comparing the effects of two distinct breathing strategies during a controlled, restrictive breathing task, this research will help determine whether certain techniques are more effective in preserving attention and reaction time. The findings could inform training and operational protocols for individuals working in challenging environments, as well as guide future studies into breathing-cognition interactions under physical stress.
详细描述
Study Overview This within-subject, randomized crossover study investigates how two different breathing techniques impact sustained attention during restrictive breathing conditions that simulate underwater environments. The techniques tested are a tactical combat breathing method (slow, paced breaths with intentional holds) and a multiple-breath technique involving rapid successive breaths. Each participant will perform a 10-minute psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) under each breathing pattern while in a chest wall loading device that simulates resistive breathing in underwater conditions. The order of breathing techniques will be randomized. There will be 2 visits with a rest day in between for testing two different breathing patterns.
Screening
- The general population of this experiment comprises healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 45 years.
- Subjects who consent to participate will undergo a brief screening.
- Women of childbearing age will be given a pregnancy test. If the test is positive, subjects will be excluded from the study. ·
- Study staff will fill out a demographic data sheet with the subject.
- Upright FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) will be conducted per published American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) guidelines. Individuals with an FVC <75% predicted according to their age, sex, and BMI will be ineligible for further participation in this study.
- Individuals will also be excluded if they self-report any history of neurologic disease, history of cancer in the head, neck, or lungs, acute or chronic respiratory illness, use of nicotine in the past five years. When scheduling their participation, subjects will be informed to avoid eating 90 minutes before the experiment. They will also be instructed to avoid caffeine and vigorous exercise 24 hours before the experiment. Failure to do so may result in rescheduling their participation or withdrawing the subject.
Inclusion Criteria
- Age 18-45
- Healthy adult status confirmed by screening
- FVC ≥ 75% predicted (based on ATS/ERS guidelines) Exclusion Criteria
- History of neurological or respiratory disease
- Respiratory illness or recent nicotine use (within 5 years)
- Positive COVID-19 or pregnancy test Recruitment and Consent
- Participants will be recruited via flyers, email announcements, and word-of-mouth across the university campus.
- The study will include only healthy adult volunteers.
- No vulnerable populations will be targeted.
- Informed consent will be obtained by study staff in a private lab setting before participation.
- Consent will be documented and stored securely.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Crossover
- 主要目的
- Basic Science
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 45 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Age 18-45
- •Healthy adult status confirmed by screening
- •FVC ≥ 75% predicted (based on ATS/ERS guidelines)
排除标准
- •History of neurological or respiratory disease
- •Respiratory illness or recent nicotine use (within 5 years)
- •Positive COVID-19 or pregnancy test
结局指标
主要结局
Psychomotor Vigilance Task Response Time
时间窗: Each trial lasts 10 minutes. There are smaller training trials for 3 minutes each.
The Psychomotor Vigilance Task is a computer-based assessment used to measure sustained attention and reaction time. During the task, participants view a screen displaying a blank background until a visual stimulus appears. The counter represents the number of milliseconds elapsed since the stimulus appeared. Participants are instructed to respond as quickly as possible by pressing a button when the number appears, at which point the counter stops. The reaction time (in milliseconds) is recorded for each trial.
次要结局
未报告次要终点