Room oxygen enrichment improves sleep and subsequent day-time performance at high altitude

Respir Physiol. 1998 Sep;113(3):247-58. doi: 10.1016/s0034-5687(98)00068-1.

Abstract

We carried out a randomized, double-blind trial at 3800 m altitude to test whether a small degree of room oxygen enrichment at night improves sleep quality, and performance and well-being the following day. Eighteen sea-level residents drove from sea level to 3800 m in one day, and then slept one night in ambient air, and another night in 24% oxygen, the order being randomized. With oxygen enrichment the subjects had fewer apneas (P < 0.01) and spent less time in periodic breathing with apneas (P < 0.01) than when they slept in ambient air. Subjective assessments of sleep quality were also significantly improved. There was a lower acute mountain sickness score during the morning after oxygen-enriched sleep (P < 0.01) and a greater increase in arterial oxygen saturation from evening to morning (P < 0.05). The larger increases in arterial oxygen saturation from evening to morning suggest that the control of breathing may have been altered. Installing an oxygen-enriched room at high altitude is relatively simple and inexpensive, and shows promise for improving well-being of both commuters and residents.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Altitude Sickness / drug therapy
  • Altitude Sickness / physiopathology
  • Altitude Sickness / psychology
  • Altitude*
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Oxygen / pharmacology*
  • Oxygen / therapeutic use
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Sleep / drug effects*

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Oxygen