An interventional study of Intermittent normobaric hypoxia and Normoxia in Executive Function (Cognition) and Normobaric Hypoxia, sponsored by Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia. Completed at 2 sites in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-06-18.
Sponsored by Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
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.
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.
1,231 studies on the registry are indexed under Hypoxia; 241 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 27 is below the median of 45 across 853 interventional studies indexed under Hypoxia.
Browse Hypoxia studies →Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia is the lead sponsor of 132 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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
Participants undergo the same cognitive tests without exposure to hypoxia, serving as the control condition.
Other: Normoxia
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.
Participants undergo the same cognitive tests without exposure to hypoxia, serving as the control condition.
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)
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: Day 1
Blood Pressure
Average of systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in mmHg
Time frame: Day 1
Oxygen Saturation
Oxygen saturation automatically monitored and recorded by the iAltitude hypoxia simulation system. Unit of Measure: %
Time frame: During intervention
Heart Rate
Heart rate automatically monitored and recorded by the iAltitude hypoxia simulation system. Unit of Measure: Beats per minute (bpm)
Time frame: During intervention
Sociodemographic Questionnaire
To define individual characteristics of participants such as age and gender.
Time frame: Pre-test
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical and privacy considerations.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia