Effects of Aircraft Cabin Altitude on Passenger Comfort and Discomfort
Investigation to Determine the Effects of Aircraft Cabin Altitudes on Passenger Comfort and Discomfort
1 other identifier
interventional
500
0 countries
N/A
Brief Summary
Commercial aircraft passengers are exposed to atmospheric pressures ranging from the pressure found at ground level to that encountered in the external environment at 8,000 feet. There is some evidence in the medical literature that symptoms of acute mountain sickness can result from ascent to altitudes of 6,300 to 10,000 feet by unacclimated persons during the first few days following ascent, probably due to the hypoxia that results from breathing air at the reduced ambient pressures at altitude. The logical hypothesis that follows is that exposure to 8,000 feet could cause hypoxia sufficient to adversely affect the comfort and well being of some commercial aircraft passengers on prolonged flights. There is insufficient data in the literature to validate this hypothesis. Exercise at sea level and at altitude reduces arterial oxygen levels. The logical hypothesis that follows is that the combination of moderate exercise and exposure to altitude could cause hypoxia sufficiently severe to adversely affect the comfort and well being of some people and that the combined effect of exercise and altitude on comfort and well being is greater than the effect of exercise or altitude alone. Again, there is insufficient evidence in the literature to substantiate this possibility. The purpose of this investigation is to test these hypotheses.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Oct 2002
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
October 1, 2002
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
April 1, 2003
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 15, 2006
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 17, 2006
CompletedOctober 17, 2006
May 1, 2006
May 15, 2006
October 16, 2006
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
ESQ IV factor scores measured at 2 hour intervals
Oxygen Saturation measured at 2 hour intervals
Interventions
Eligibility Criteria
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Related Publications (1)
Muhm JM, Rock PB, McMullin DL, Jones SP, Lu IL, Eilers KD, Space DR, McMullen A. Effect of aircraft-cabin altitude on passenger discomfort. N Engl J Med. 2007 Jul 5;357(1):18-27. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa062770.
PMID: 17611205DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
James M Muhm, MD, MPH
The Boeing Company
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- INDUSTRY
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 15, 2006
First Posted
May 17, 2006
Study Start
October 1, 2002
Study Completion
April 1, 2003
Last Updated
October 17, 2006
Record last verified: 2006-05