Self-rated moods of humans at 4300 m pretreated with placebo or acetazolamide plus staging

Abstract

Self-rated moods were determined twice daily with the Clyde Mood Scale on 35 human subjects at 200 m (baseline) during a study concerned with evaluating the efficacy of staging plus acetazolamide (treatment) for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Mood states also were determined on all subjects at 4300 m (Pikes Peak, Co) and on 18 of these subjects at 1600 m (staging site). Mood state changes were not observed at 1600 m, but four of the six mood factors were sensitive to the 4300 m altitude. At 4300 m, all subjects, treatment and control, rated themselves as less friendly and clear thinking and more sleepy and dizzy. At 4300 m, the treatment strategy resulted in an improved mood on the friendly, sleepy, and dizzy factors. Altitude-induced changes in clear thinking were not altered by the treatment strategy.