Chapter 40 The Influence of Transcranial Micro-electric Current Physiological Training on Cerebral Function Under Altitude Hypoxia

摘要

Objective To investigate the effects of transcranial micro-electric current physiological training (TMCPT) on cerebral function (CF) in order to provide technology and methods for maintaining and training CF under altitude hypoxia. Methods Forty healthy volunteers served as subjects, who took flight to the altitude and were trained by TMCPT in the condition of altitude hypoxia (3,700 m above sea level). Current intensity of TMCPT was limited within safe physiological range. Subjects were trained twice per day (one in the morning and the other in the afternoon), each for 5 min. Neurobehavioral ability index was separately observed in rush entry phase (first 10 days after entry) and in various resident phases (resided in altitude for 1, 2, and 3 months). Self-evaluating questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to evaluate sleep quality in different phases. Results ① In rush entry phase: digital scan, memory scan, simple visual reaction time, complex visual reaction time, pursuit aiming and consecutive performance were significantly increased at 10 days after TMCPT training (t = 1.982-4.412, P ＜ 0.05) as compared with those at 1 day. ② Resident phase: compared to neurobehavioral ability index at 1 month, only digital scan, memory scan and simple visual reaction time were significantly increased at 3 months after TMCPT (t = 3.744-5.812, P ＜ 0.05) as compared with those at 1 month. ③ Sleep quality evaluation: sleep quality indexes had a significant reduction after TMCPT as compared with those in rush entry phase (t = 1.833-3.552, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions TMCPT can improve CF and sleep quality under altitude hypoxia. The β-frequency brain-wave feedback training can be used to promote CF, and α-frequency brain-wave feedback training can be utilized to improve sleep quality.