The purpose of this research is to support a hypothesis that osteopathic manual medicine (OMM) and / or a 10 cmH2O end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) could be used in the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS). During altitude exposure, an exaggerated hypoxemia and the increase of intracranial pressure are both known to be major physipathological ways of AMS development. The goal of the osteopathic protocol is to release tension on the circulatory structures directly related to cranial circulation and drainage. The main hypothesis is that it could lead to lower intracranial pressure and help reducing AMS signs. Furthermore the investigators would like to define a osteopathic score for individual AMS sensitivity, based on cranial bones mobility. Several studies have shown that using PEEP at altitude (or hypoxia) increases SpO2. As for osteopathy protocol, the investigators would like to apply this experimental condition during real altitude exposure in a randomized controlled protocol.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
50
Osteopathic intervention improving drainage of LCS and cerebral blood flow through opitmizing veinous circulation
Breathing through a 10 cmH2O expiratory resistance for 10 min every 2 hours during 10h at 3842m high
Placebo intervention
PEEP 0 cmH2O (hidden)
Ifremmont
Chamonix, France
Changes in Lake Louise Score from baseline to altitude continuous exposure.
Signs of acute mountain sickness regarding its severity according the official Lake Louise Score.
Time frame: mesured and reported every hour during a 10 hours altitude exposure
Changes in numeric scale of well being from baseline to altitude continuous exposure.
Quantification of general feeling on a scale from 0 (feeling as before ascent) to 10 (worst feeling)
Time frame: every hour during a 10 hours altitude exposure
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