1
|
Šegrt Ribičić I, Valić M, Lušić Kalcina L, Božić J, Obad A, Glavaš D, Glavičić I, Valić Z. Effects of Oxygen Prebreathing on Bubble Formation, Flow-Mediated Dilatation, and Psychomotor Performance during Trimix Dives. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:35. [PMID: 38275984 PMCID: PMC10820603 DOI: 10.3390/sports12010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: This research was performed to examine the effects of air and oxygen prebreathing on bubble formation, flow-mediated dilatation, and psychomotor performance after scuba dives. Methods: Twelve scuba divers performed two dives using a gas mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and helium (trimix). In a randomized protocol, they breathed air or oxygen 30 min before the trimix dives. Venous bubble formation, flow-mediated dilatation, and psychomotor performance were evaluated. The participants solved three psychomotor tests: determining the position of a light signal, coordination of complex psychomotor activity, and simple arithmetic operations. The total test solving time, minimum single-task solving time, and median solving time were analyzed. Results: The bubble grade was decreased in the oxygen prebreathing protocol in comparison to the air prebreathing protocol (1.5 vs. 2, p < 0.001). The total test solving times after the dives, in tests of complex psychomotor coordination and simple arithmetic operations, were shorter in the oxygen prebreathing protocol (25 (21-28) vs. 31 (26-35) and 87 (82-108) vs. 106 (90-122) s, p = 0.028). Conclusions: In the oxygen prebreathing protocol, the bubble grade was significantly reduced with no change in flow-mediated dilatation after the dives, indicating a beneficial role for endothelial function. The post-dive psychomotor speed was faster in the oxygen prebreathing protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Šegrt Ribičić
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital Center Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Maja Valić
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Linda Lušić Kalcina
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Joško Božić
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Ante Obad
- Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Duška Glavaš
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Igor Glavičić
- Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Zoran Valić
- Department of Physiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muth T, Schipke JD, Brebeck AK, Dreyer S. Assessing Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency: Which Confounders? A Narrative Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040800. [PMID: 37109758 PMCID: PMC10141404 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The critical flicker fusion frequency (cFFF) refers to the frequency at which a regularly recurring change of light stimuli is perceived as steady. The cFFF threshold is often assessed in clinics to evaluate the temporal characteristics of the visual system, making it a common test for eye diseases. Additionally, it serves as a helpful diagnostic tool for various neurological and internal diseases. In the field of diving/hyperbaric medicine, cFFF has been utilized to determine alertness and cognitive functions. Changes in the cFFF threshold have been linked to the influence of increased respiratory gas partial pressures, although there exist inconsistent results regarding this effect. Moreover, the use of flicker devices has produced mixed outcomes in previous studies. This narrative review aims to explore confounding factors that may affect the accuracy of cFFF threshold measurements, particularly in open-field studies. We identify five broad categories of such factors, including (1) participant characteristics, (2) optical factors, (3) smoking/drug use, (4) environmental aspects, and (5) breathing gases and partial pressures. We also discuss the application of cFFF measurements in the field of diving and hyperbaric medicine. In addition, we provide recommendations for interpreting changes in the cFFF threshold and how they are reported in research studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Muth
- Institute of Occupational, Social, Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jochen D Schipke
- Research Group Experimental Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Sven Dreyer
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vrijdag XCE, van Waart H, Sames C, Mitchell SJ, Sleigh JW. Does hyperbaric oxygen cause narcosis or hyperexcitability? A quantitative EEG analysis. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15386. [PMID: 35859332 PMCID: PMC9300958 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Divers breathe higher partial pressures of oxygen at depth than at the surface. The literature and diving community are divided on whether or not oxygen is narcotic. Conversely, hyperbaric oxygen may induce dose‐dependent cerebral hyperexcitability. This study evaluated whether hyperbaric oxygen causes similar narcotic effects to nitrogen, and investigated oxygen's hyperexcitability effect. Twelve human participants breathed “normobaric” air and 100% oxygen, and “hyperbaric” 100% oxygen at 142 and 284 kPa, while psychometric performance, electroencephalography (EEG), and task load perception were measured. EEG was analyzed with functional connectivity and temporal complexity algorithms. The spatial functional connectivity, estimated using mutual information, was summarized with the global efficiency network measure. Temporal complexity was calculated with a “default‐mode‐network (DMN) complexity” algorithm. Hyperbaric oxygen‐breathing caused no change in EEG global efficiency or in the psychometric test. However, oxygen caused a significant reduction of DMN complexity and a reduction in task load perception. Hyperbaric oxygen did not cause the same changes in EEG global efficiency seen with hyperbaric air, which likely related to a narcotic effect of nitrogen. Hyperbaric oxygen seemed to disturb the time evolution of EEG patterns that could be taken as evidence of early oxygen‐induced cortical hyperexcitability. These findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen is not narcotic and will help inform divers' decisions on suitable gas mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xavier C E Vrijdag
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hanna van Waart
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chris Sames
- Slark Hyperbaric Unit, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon J Mitchell
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Slark Hyperbaric Unit, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Anaesthesia, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jamie W Sleigh
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Anaesthesia, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Comment on Mankowska et al. Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency: A Narrative Review. Medicina 2021, 57, 1096. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58060739. [PMID: 35744002 PMCID: PMC9227080 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58060739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
|
5
|
Oxygen-enriched air reduces breathing gas consumption over air. Curr Res Physiol 2022; 5:79-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
6
|
Mankowska ND, Marcinkowska AB, Waskow M, Sharma RI, Kot J, Winklewski PJ. Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency: A Narrative Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:1096. [PMID: 34684133 PMCID: PMC8537539 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57101096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This review presents the current knowledge of the usage of critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) in human and animal model studies. CFF has a wide application in different fields, especially as an indicator of cortical arousal and visual processing. In medicine, CFF may be helpful for diagnostic purposes, for example in epilepsy or minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Given the environmental studies and a limited number of other methods, it is applicable in diving and hyperbaric medicine. Current research also shows the relationship between CFF and other electrophysiological methods, such as electroencephalography. The human eye can detect flicker at 50-90 Hz but reports are showing the possibility to distinguish between steady and modulated light up to 500 Hz. Future research with the use of CFF is needed to better understand its utility and application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia D. Mankowska
- Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Anna B. Marcinkowska
- Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- 2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, 76-200 Slupsk, Poland;
| | - Monika Waskow
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, 76-200 Slupsk, Poland;
| | - Rita I. Sharma
- Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jacek Kot
- National Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Pawel J. Winklewski
- 2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, 76-200 Slupsk, Poland;
- Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Piispanen WW, Lundell RV, Tuominen LJ, Räisänen-Sokolowski AK. Assessment of Alertness and Cognitive Performance of Closed Circuit Rebreather Divers With the Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency Test in Arctic Diving Conditions. Front Physiol 2021; 12:722915. [PMID: 34447319 PMCID: PMC8384076 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.722915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cold water imposes many risks to the diver. These risks include decompression illness, physical and cognitive impairment, and hypothermia. Cognitive impairment can be estimated using a critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) test, but this method has only been used in a few studies conducted in an open water environment. We studied the effect of the cold and a helium-containing mixed breathing gas on the cognition of closed circuit rebreather (CCR) divers. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three divers performed an identical dive with controlled trimix gas with a CCR device in an ice-covered quarry. They assessed their thermal comfort at four time points during the dive. In addition, their skin temperature was measured at 5-min intervals throughout the dive. The divers performed the CFFF test before the dive, at target depth, and after the dive. Results: A statistically significant increase of 111.7% in CFFF values was recorded during the dive compared to the pre-dive values (p < 0.0001). The values returned to the baseline after surfacing. There was a significant drop in the divers’ skin temperature of 0.48°C every 10 min during the dive (p < 0.001). The divers’ subjectively assessed thermal comfort also decreased during the dive (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our findings showed that neither extreme cold water nor helium-containing mixed breathing gas had any influence on the general CFFF profile described in the previous studies from warmer water and where divers used other breathing gases. We hypothesize that cold-water diving and helium-containing breathing gases do not in these diving conditions cause clinically relevant cerebral impairment. Therefore, we conclude that CCR diving in these conditions is safe from the perspective of alertness and cognitive performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wilhelm W Piispanen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,DAN Europe Research Division, Finnish Branch, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Richard V Lundell
- The Centre for Military Medicine, The Finnish Defense Forces, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura J Tuominen
- Department of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland.,Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anne K Räisänen-Sokolowski
- DAN Europe Research Division, Finnish Branch, Helsinki, Finland.,The Centre for Military Medicine, The Finnish Defense Forces, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dugrenot E, Balestra C, Gouin E, L'Her E, Guerrero F. Physiological effects of mixed-gas deep sea dives using a closed-circuit rebreather: a field pilot study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 121:3323-3331. [PMID: 34435274 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-021-04798-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Deep diving using mixed gas with closed-circuit rebreathers (CCRs) is increasingly common. However, data regarding the effects of these dives are still scarce. This preliminary field study aimed at evaluating the acute effects of deep (90-120 msw) mixed-gas CCR bounce dives on lung function in relation with other physiological parameters. METHODS Seven divers performed a total of sixteen open-sea CCR dives breathing gas mixture of helium, nitrogen and oxygen (trimix) within four days at 2 depths (90 and 120 msw). Spirometric parameters, SpO2, body mass, hematocrit, short term heart rate variability (HRV) and critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) were measured at rest 60 min before the dive and 120 min after surfacing. RESULTS The median [1st-3rd quartile] of the forced vital capacity was lower (84% [76-93] vs 91% [74-107] of predicted values; p = 0.029), whereas FEV1/FVC was higher (98% [95-99] vs 95% [89-99]; p = 0.019) after than before the dives. The other spirometry values and SpO2 were unchanged. Body mass decreased from 73.5 kg (72.0-89.6) before the dives to 70.0 kg (69.2-85.8) after surfacing (p = 0.001), with no change of hematocrit or CFFT. HRV was increased as indicated by the higher SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50 after than before dives. CONCLUSION The present observation represents the first original data regarding the effects of deep repeated CCR dives. The body mass loss and decrease of FVC after bounce dives at depth of about 100 msw may possibly impose an important physiological stress for the divers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Dugrenot
- TEK diving SAS, F-29200, Brest, France
- Univ Brest, ORPHY, IBSAM, 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, F-29200, Brest, France
| | - Costantino Balestra
- Environmental and Occupational Physiology Laboratory, (ISEK), Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), 1160, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Erwan L'Her
- Médecine Intensive et Réanimation, CHRU de Brest, Brest, NA, France
| | - François Guerrero
- Univ Brest, ORPHY, IBSAM, 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, F-29200, Brest, France.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Karakaya H, Aksu S, Egi SM, Aydin S, Uslu A. Effects of Hyperbaric Nitrogen Narcosis on Cognitive Performance in Recreational air SCUBA Divers: An Auditory Event-related Brain Potentials Study. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:505-515. [PMID: 33942846 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The narcotic effect of hyperbaric nitrogen is most pronounced in air-breathing divers because it impairs diver's cognitive and behavioral performance, and limits the depth of dive profiles. We aimed to investigate the cognitive effects of simulated (500 kPa) air environments in recreational SCUBA divers, revealed by auditory event-related potentials (AERPs). METHODS A total of 18 healthy volunteer recreational air SCUBA divers participated in the study. AERPs were recorded in pre-dive, deep-dive, and post-dive sessions. RESULTS False-positive score variables were found with significantly higher differences and longer reaction times of hits during deep-dive and post-dive than pre-dive sessions. Also, P3 amplitudes were significantly reduced and peak latencies were prolonged during both deep-dive and post-dive compared with pre-dive sessions. CONCLUSION We observed that nitrogen narcosis at 500 kPa pressure in the dry hyperbaric chamber has a mild-to-moderate negative effect on the cognitive performance of recreational air SCUBA divers, which threatened the safety of diving. Although relatively decreased, this effect also continued in the post-dive sessions. These negative effects are especially important for divers engaged in open-sea diving. Our results show crucial implications for the kinds of control measures that can help to prevent nitrogen narcosis and diving accidents at depths up to 40 msw.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Karakaya
- Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serkan Aksu
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Salih Murat Egi
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Galatasaray University, Ortakoy, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Salih Aydin
- Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Atilla Uslu
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vrijdag XC, van Waart H, Sleigh JW, Balestra C, Mitchell SJ. Investigating critical flicker fusion frequency for monitoring gas narcosis in divers. Diving Hyperb Med 2020; 50:377-385. [PMID: 33325019 PMCID: PMC7872789 DOI: 10.28920/dhm50.4.377-385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) has been used in various studies to measure the cognitive effects of gas mixtures at depth, sometimes with conflicting or apparently paradoxical results. This study aimed to evaluate a novel automatic CFFF method and investigate whether CFFF can be used to monitor gas-induced narcosis in divers. METHODS Three hyperbaric chamber experiments were performed: 1) Automated and manual CFFF measurements during air breathing at 608 kPa (n = 16 subjects); 2) Manual CFFF measurements during air and heliox breathing at sea level (101.3 kPa) and 608 kPa (n = 12); 3) Manual CFFF measurements during oxygen breathing at sea level, 142 and 284 kPa (n = 10). All results were compared to breathing air at sea level. RESULTS Only breathing oxygen at sea level, and at 284 kPa, caused a significant decrease in CFFF (2.5% and 2.6% respectively compared to breathing air at sea level. None of the other conditions showed a difference with sea level air breathing. CONCLUSIONS CFFF did not significantly change in our experiments when breathing air at 608 kPa compared to air breathing at sea level pressure using both devices. Based on our results CFFF does not seem to be a sensitive tool for measuring gas narcosis in divers in our laboratory setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Ce Vrijdag
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Deep Dive Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Corresponding author: Xavier Vrijdag, Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Private bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand,
| | - Hanna van Waart
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jamie W Sleigh
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Anaesthesia, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Costantino Balestra
- Environmental, Occupational and Ageing (Integrative) Physiology Laboratory, Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon J Mitchell
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Anaesthesia, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Berenji Ardestani S, Balestra C, Bouzinova EV, Loennechen Ø, Pedersen M. Evaluation of Divers' Neuropsychometric Effectiveness and High-Pressure Neurological Syndrome via Computerized Test Battery Package and Questionnaires in Operational Setting. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1386. [PMID: 31787904 PMCID: PMC6856207 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: When divers are compressed to water depths deeper than 150 meter sea water (msw), symptoms of high-pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) might appear due to rapid increase in pressure on the central nervous system during compression. The aim of this study was to first operate a new computerized tool, designed to monitor divers’ wellbeing and cognitive function, and to record the results. The second aim was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of the Physiopad software and HPNS questionnaires as a new tool for monitoring divers wellbeing in an operational setting, including sensible visualization and presentation of results. Methods: The Physiopad was operated onboard Deep Arctic (TechnipFMC Diving Support Vessel). The diving work was performed between 180 and 207 msw. The data from 46 divers were collected from the HPNS questionnaires, Hand dynamometry test, Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency test (CFFF), Adaptive Visual Analog Scale (AVAS), Simple Math Process (MathProc test), Perceptual Vigilance Task (PVT), and Time Estimation Task (time-wall). Result: Diver’s subjective evaluation revealed different symptoms, possibly also HPNS related, which lasted from 1 to 5 days in storage, with the common duration being 1 day. The results from Physiopad battery testing showed no signs of significant neurological alteration. Conclusion: The present study showed that there was no association between subjective measurements of HPNS and neuropsychometric test results. We also confirmed the feasibility of using the computerized test battery to monitor saturation divers at work. The HPNS battery and Physiopad software could be an important tool for monitoring diver’s health in the future. This tool was not used during the Bahr Essalam project to operationally evaluate any HPNS effect on divers as data analysis was performed post-project.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simin Berenji Ardestani
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Costantino Balestra
- Divers Alert Network Europe - Research Division, Roseto, Italy.,Environmental, Occupational, Ageing (Integrative) Physiology Laboratory, Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Michael Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|