NCT07027410

Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia on Executive Functions

Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia on Executive Functions Assessed With Different Cognitive Tests in Healthy Young Subjects

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 27 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Detailed description

The main objective of this study will be to analyze the effects of an intermittent normobaric hypoxia session on executive functions, assessed using different cognitive tests administered to healthy young subjects. A total of 27 healthy volunteers will be divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG; n=13) and a control group (CG; n=14). The experimental group will perform the 'Odd One Out', 'Double Trouble', and 'Monkey Ladder' tests immediately before and after a hypoxia tolerance session (12% oxygen, equivalent to 4400 meters) using the iAltitude simulator. The control group will complete the same tests under normoxic conditions, without exposure to hypoxia. The primary outcomes will include changes in cognitive performance scores in the administered tests. The experimental group is expected to show improvements in the Double Trouble test scores following hypoxia exposure. The control group may also show changes in the Double Trouble and Odd One Out tests between the pre- and post-tests. Secondary outcomes will include physiological variables such as oxygen saturation (SaO₂) and heart rate (HR), which will be monitored during the hypoxia session in the EG. Statistically significant changes in SaO₂ and HR are anticipated as a result of the hypoxic exposure. This study aims to determine whether a single session of intermittent normobaric hypoxia can lead to selective improvements in executive functions, particularly sustained attention, without negatively affecting other cognitive domains.

Conditions

• Executive Function (Cognition)
• Normobaric Hypoxia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Intermittent normobaric hypoxia	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.
OTHER	Normoxia	Participants undergo the same cognitive tests without exposure to hypoxia, serving as the control condition.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-01
• Primary completion: 2023-04-30
• Completion: 2024-12-01
• First posted: 2025-06-18
• Last updated: 2025-06-18

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Spain