Effects of Hypobaric Hypoxia on Psychophysiological Measures of Cognitive Functioning and Performance

摘要

Of special concern to the field of aviation and flight safety is the study of the effects of acute hypoxia resulting from a decrease in ambient oxygen at high altitudes. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in brain wave activity associated with the decrements in complex task performance that are evidenced at extreme altitude when the supply of airborne oxygen is diminished. Ten Air Force personnel participated and multiple physiological measures were recorded as subjects performed a complex task designed to assess those mental functions associated with flying an aircraft. Subjects were decompressed singly via hypobaric chamber to altitudes ranging from 5,000 ft to 25,000 ft and recordings were obtained during hypobaric normoxic, hypobaric hypoxic, and recovery conditions at each altitude. Results are discussed with respect to decreased task performance and EEG metrics.