Change in Peripheral Oxygen Saturation by Using Different Breathing Procedures in High Altitude

In this investigation the researchers explore whether different types of breathing procedures can improve the peripheral oxygen saturation to reduce the risk of becoming a acute mountain sickness or a high altitude pulmonary edema.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Acute Mountain Sickness
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Breathing procedure 1; Other: Breathing procedure 2

Detailed Description

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 2500 meters of altitude. AMS appears as a collection of nonspecific symptoms acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure resembling a case of "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover".

It is caused by a drop in pressure and lowering partial pressure of oxygen during increasing altitude. The direct consequence of those changes is a hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (Euler-Lijestrand-mechanism). In addition a rise in pulmonary blood pressure (Hypertonia) can occur so that there is a higher risk of developing a high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

In this investigation the investigators are exploring whether different types of breathing procedures can improve the peripheral oxygen saturation. We are comparing breathing with no regulation with two different procedures of hyperventilation during trekking in different altitudes. Procedure 1 (hyperventilation 1) describes inhalation during one step and exhalation during the next step. Procedure 2 (hyperventilation 2) describes inhalation and exhalation during one step.

The effect of the different breathing procedures can be quantified measuring the peripheral oxygen saturation. In addition the investigators are comparing the breathing rate and the minute ventilation as well as the expiratory end-tidal CO2-partial pressure of the three different breathing procedures.

Furthermore, the investigators are examining the ability to concentrate in order to quantify the effect of AMS on organ functions.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Hessen
    • Giessen, Hessen, Germany, 35394
      • University of Gießen

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute clinically significant inter-current diseases

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Breathing procedure 1; Walking with breathing procedure "1".	Other: Breathing procedure 1; inhalation during one step, exhalation during the next step
Experimental: Breathing procedure 2; Walking with breathing procedure "2".	Other: Breathing procedure 2; inhalation and exhalation during one step
No Intervention: Control group; Walking without any reglementation of breathing

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
change of peripheral oxygen saturation	change of peripheral oxygen saturation under different breathing procedures in different altitudes	immediate after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
change of breathing parameters	change of breathing parameters under different breathing procedures in different altitudes; breathing rate; minute ventilation; expiratory end-tidal CO2-partial pressure	immediate after intervention
change of cognition	change of ability of cognition (measured by d2-test) under different breathing procedures in different altitudes	immediate after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Giessen
• Collaborators: MVZ für Laboratoriumsmedizin Koblenz
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Gabor Szalay, Dr. med., Trauma surgery - University hospital Giessen

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: July 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 9, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 8, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): November 9, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): November 9, 2011
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 8, 2011
• Last Verified: November 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: mountain; breathing; oxygen; high altitude; AMS; saturation; HAPE; climbing
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Altitude Sickness
• Other Study ID Numbers: Gi-04-2011