Oxygen as a Limiting Factor for Performing Multitasking

The Brain uses 20% of the total oxygen supply consumed by the entire body. Even though, less than 10% of the brain is active at every given time, the brain utilizes almost all the oxygen delivered. In order to perform different tasks or more than one task (multi-tasking), the oxygen supply is shifted from one brain region to another, via modulation of blood perfusion.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) environment, with increased oxygen supply to the brain, will enable better performance of complex and/or multiple activities.

Methods: a prospective, double blind randomized control, cross over trial including healthy volunteers. Participants were asked to perform a cognitive task, a motor task and a simultaneous cognitive-motor task (multi-tasking). Participants were randomized to perform the tasks at 2 environments: (a) normobaric air (1ATA 21% oxygen) (b) HBO (2ATA 100% oxygen). Two weeks later participants were crossed to the alternative environment. Blinding of the normobaric environment was achieved in the same chamber with masks on while hyperbaric sensation was simulated by increasing pressure in the first minute and gradually decreasing to normobaric environment prior to tasks performance.

Inclusion criteria

• healthy volunteers,
• minimum of 12 years of formal education

Exclusion criteria

• any inner ear pathologies,
• any lung disease,
• any mental or physical limitation of participat in going into oxygen chamber environment