Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia on Executive Functions

NCT07027410 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 4145/2022
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 27
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of an intermittent normobaric hypoxia session on executive functions assessed with different cognitive tests given to healthy young subjects. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers were divided into an experimental group (EG; n=13) and a control group (CG; n=14). The EG performed the 'Odd One Out', 'Double Trouble' and 'Monkey Ladder' tests before and after the hypoxia tolerance session (12%, 4400 m) with the iAltitude simulator. The CG completed the same tests without hypoxia exposure.

Conditions

Executive Function (Cognition); Normobaric Hypoxia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Double Trouble Test

  Change in cognitive performance score on the Double Trouble test; higher scores indicate better executive function and attention control. Unit of Measure: Score (units on a scale)

  Day 1

• Monkey Ladder Test

  Change in cognitive performance score on the Monkey Ladder test; higher scores indicate better visuospatial working memory. Unit of Measure: Score and Level.

  Day 1

• Odd One Out Test

  Change in reasoning performance score on the Odd One Out test; higher scores indicate better problem-solving ability. Unit of Measure: Score and Level.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Blood Pressure

  Day 1

• Oxygen Saturation

  During intervention

• Heart Rate

  During intervention

• Sociodemographic Questionnaire

  Pre-test

Study Arms (2)

Intermittent Hypoxia Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants are exposed to a single session of intermittent normobaric hypoxia at 12% oxygen concentration (equivalent to 4400 m altitude) using the iAltitude simulator. Cognitive tests are performed before and after the hypoxia session.

Device: Intermittent normobaric hypoxia

No Hypoxia Group

OTHER

Participants undergo the same cognitive tests without exposure to hypoxia, serving as the control condition.

Other: Normoxia

Interventions

Intermittent normobaric hypoxia DEVICE

Participants in the experimental group undergo a single session of intermittent normobaric hypoxia simulated by the iAltitude device. The session consists of breathing air with 12% oxygen concentration (equivalent to 4400 meters altitude) for a specified duration. Cognitive tests are administered before and after the hypoxia exposure to assess executive functions.

Intermittent Hypoxia Group

Normoxia OTHER

Participants undergo the same cognitive tests without exposure to hypoxia, serving as the control condition.

No Hypoxia Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Young people aged between 18 and 40 years old

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy
• Prior experience in hypoxia training
• Previous experience in executive function tests
• Personal or family history of cardiovascular diseases or chronic conditions
• Diagnosed cardiac disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia: lead

Study Sites (2)

Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

Murcia, Guadalupe, 30107, Spain

Location

Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

Murcia, Spain

Location

Study Officials

• Raquel Vaquero Cristóbal, PhD

  Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 24, 2025
• First Posted: June 18, 2025
• Study Start: March 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2023
• Study Completion: December 1, 2024
• Last Updated: June 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (2)