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. 2017 Feb 8;3(1):114-122.
doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2017.01.002. eCollection 2017 Jan.

Intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training on cognitive performance in geriatric patients

Urike Bayer  1 , Rudolf Likar  2 , Georg Pinter  1 , Haro Stettner  3 , Susanne Demschar  2 , Brigitte Trummer  2 , Stefan Neuwersch  2 , Oleg Glazachev  4 , Martin Burtscher  5
Affiliations

Intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training on cognitive performance in geriatric patients

Urike Bayer et al. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). .

Abstract

Introduction: Intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training (IHHT) may complement a multimodal training intervention (MTI) for improving cognitive function and exercise tolerance in geriatric patients.

Methods: Thirty-four patients (64-92 years) participated in this randomized controlled trial. Before and after the 5- to 7-week intervention period (MTI + IHHT vs. MTI + ambient air), cognitive function was assessed by the Dementia-Detection Test (DemTect) and the Sunderland Clock-Drawing Test (CDT), and functional exercise capacity by the total distance of the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).

Results: DemTect and CDT indicated significantly larger improvements after MTI + IHHT (+16.7% vs. -0.39%, P < .001) and (+10.7% vs. -8%, P = .031) which was also true for the 6MWT (+24.1% vs. +10.8%, P = .021).

Discussion: IHHT turned out to be easily applicable to and well tolerated by geriatric patients up to 92 years. IHHT contributed significantly to improvements in cognitive function and functional exercise capacity in geriatric patients performing MTI.

Keywords: Cognitive performance; Dementia; Exercise tolerance; Geriatric patients; Intermittent hypoxia; Multimodal training.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Process of inclusion, randomization, stratification, and (B) training program and outcome analysis. Abbreviations: 6MWT, 6-Minute Walk Test; CDT, Clock-Drawing Test; DemTect, Dementia-Detection Test; FiO2, inspiratory oxygen fraction; IHHT, intermittent hypoxic–hyperoxic training; HG, hypoxic group; HT1, hypoxic test 1; HT2, hypoxic test 2; MMSE, Mini–Mental State Examination; NG, normoxic group; NRS, numeric rating scale for pain.
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Process of inclusion, randomization, stratification, and (B) training program and outcome analysis. Abbreviations: 6MWT, 6-Minute Walk Test; CDT, Clock-Drawing Test; DemTect, Dementia-Detection Test; FiO2, inspiratory oxygen fraction; IHHT, intermittent hypoxic–hyperoxic training; HG, hypoxic group; HT1, hypoxic test 1; HT2, hypoxic test 2; MMSE, Mini–Mental State Examination; NG, normoxic group; NRS, numeric rating scale for pain.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Correlation between the changes (A) in the distance of the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the Dementia-Detection Test Scores (DemTect) and (B) in the distance of 6MWT and the Clock-Drawing Test (CDT) scores. Hypoxic group: filled circles; normoxic group: open circles. (A) r = 0.57, P < .01 and (B) r = 0.42, P = .01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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