Optimizing Mind-Body Interactions in Respiratory Control During Operationally Relevant Environmental Stressors
Indiana University
Summary
Warfighters are frequently exposed to environments and life-support systems that increase breathing resistance and the work of breathing (WOB), such as aircraft on-board oxygen generation systems and underwater breathing apparatuses. Elevated WOB increases the perception of breathing difficulty (dyspnea) and has been associated with impaired cognitive performance, including slower reaction time and reduced accuracy during attention-demanding tasks. These effects are particularly concerning in operational settings that require rapid decision-making and precise motor responses. Despite growing recognition of this issue, critical gaps remain regarding strategies to mitigate the perceptual and cognitive consequences of elevated inspiratory resistance, especially under realistic operational stressors. The objective of this study is to determine whether reducing mechanical WOB alters breathing perception and cognitive performance during inspiratory resistance. Participants will breathe either normal-density air or a low-density helium-oxygen gas mixture (heliox) to determine whether reducing mechanical WOB lowers perceived breathing effort and improves cognitive function.
Description
Increases in the WOB intensify the sensory and emotional perceptions of dyspnea, at least partly due to heightened conscious awareness of breathing. Recent data indicate that elevated WOB, and likely breathing perception, can impair cognitive function. This impairment is likely caused by negative affective sensations resulting from the increased WOB, which distracts from central information processing during complex reaction-time tasks. Additionally, both reaction time and accuracy worsen when greater loads are placed on the inspiratory muscles. However, several key knowledge gaps remain that…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18-40 years old. * English speaking and reading. * Self-reported weekly activity of at least 120 minutes/week of high intensity exercise for the previous 2 years. * Normal pulmonary function assessed by a resting forced expiratory volume in 1 second over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) \> 75% of predicted. * Normal cognitive function assessed using the Montreal cognitive function test \[18\]. * Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 35 kg/m2. * Females with a regular menstrual cycle that ranges from 21-35 days (eumenorrhea) Exclusion Criteria: * History of smokin…
Interventions
- DrugHeliox inspirate
This intervention corresponds to Arm 1 titled "room air and heliox inspirate". This corresponds with the first phase/period of this study.
Location
- Multidisciplinary Engineering and Sciences Hall (MESH)Bloomington, Indiana