Anne-Kathrin Brebeck1, Andreas Deussen2, Henning Schmitz-Peiffer3, Ursula Range4, Costantino Balestra5, Sinclair Cleveland6, Jochen D Schipke7. 1. a Department of Ophthalmology , Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Augenklinik und Poliklinik , Würzburg , Germany. 2. b Institute of Physiology , Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden , Dresden , Germany. 3. c Institute of Neurology , Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden , Dresden , Germany. 4. d Institute of Medical Informatics and Biometrics , Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden , Dresden , Germany. 5. e Haute Ecole Paul-Henri Spaak , Environmental & Occupational Physiology Laboratory , Brussels , Belgium. 6. f Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology , Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany. 7. g Research Group Experimental Surgery , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany.
Abstract
Backround: Nitrogen narcosis impairs cognitive function, a fact relevant during SCUBA-diving. Oxygen-enriched air (nitrox) became popular in recreational diving, while evidence of its advantages over air is limited. AIM: Compare effects of nitrox28 and air on two psychometric tests. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind, open-water study, 108 advanced divers (38 females) were randomized to an air or a nitrox-group for a 60-min dive to 24 m salt water. Breathing gas effects on cognitive performance were assessed during the dive using a short- and long-term memory test and a number connection test. RESULTS: Nitrox28 divers made fewer mistakes only on the long-term memory test (p = 0.038). Female divers remembered more items than male divers (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number connection test between the groups. CONCLUSION: Likely owing to the comparatively low N2 reduction and the conservative dive, beneficial nitrox28 effects to diver performance were moderate but could contribute to diving safety.
RCT Entities:
Backround: Nitrogennarcosis impairs cognitive function, a fact relevant during SCUBA-diving. Oxygen-enriched air (nitrox) became popular in recreational diving, while evidence of its advantages over air is limited. AIM: Compare effects of nitrox28 and air on two psychometric tests. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind, open-water study, 108 advanced divers (38 females) were randomized to an air or a nitrox-group for a 60-min dive to 24 m salt water. Breathing gas effects on cognitive performance were assessed during the dive using a short- and long-term memory test and a number connection test. RESULTS:Nitrox28 divers made fewer mistakes only on the long-term memory test (p = 0.038). Female divers remembered more items than male divers (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number connection test between the groups. CONCLUSION: Likely owing to the comparatively low N2 reduction and the conservative dive, beneficial nitrox28 effects to diver performance were moderate but could contribute to diving safety.
Authors: Pierre Lafère; Walter Hemelryck; Peter Germonpré; Lyubisa Matity; François Guerrero; Costantino Balestra Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2019-06-30 Impact factor: 0.887
Authors: Monica Rocco; P Pelaia; P Di Benedetto; G Conte; L Maggi; S Fiorelli; M Mercieri; C Balestra; R A De Blasi Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2018-10-22 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: D De Bels; C Pierrakos; A Bruneteau; F Reul; Q Crevecoeur; N Marrone; D Vissenaeken; G Borgers; C Balestra; P M Honoré; S Theunissen Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2019-06-26 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: Marinella Coco; Andrea Buscemi; Valentina Perciavalle; Tiziana Maci; Gianluca Galvano; Antonio M F Scavone; Vincenzo Perciavalle; Donatella Di Corrado Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2019-10-22