Acute cold exposure and cognitive function: evidence for sustained impairment
Muller MD, Gunstad J, Alosco ML, Miller LA, Updegraff J, Spitznagel MB, Glickman EL
Ergonomics · 53 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Controlled clinical trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- Kent State University
- Government
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Government
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Government
- NIDDK NIH HHS
- Government
- NHLBI NIH HHS
- Grants
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL089311); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01 DK075119); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R56 DK075119); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL089311); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK075119)
Based on 5 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2012-04-16 · Ergonomics · vol. 55 · issue 7 · pp. 792–798
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Cited
- 109 citations · more than 77% of similar papers · 1.1× the field average
- References
- 34 works
- Access
- Open access (repository copy)
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Exercise and Physiological Responses · Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Keywords
- Working memory, Audiology, Cognition, Medicine, Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, Air temperature, Psychology, Anesthesia, Psychiatry
- MeSH
- humans, acute disease, hypothermia, risk factors, cognition, reaction time, cognition disorders, psychometrics, environmental exposure, oxygen consumption, body temperature regulation, shivering, time factors, male, cold temperature, young adult
7 authors
From US
- Matthew David Muller · correspondingKent State University; Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- John GunstadSumma Health System; Kent State University
- Michael Louis AloscoKent State University
- Lindsay A. MillerKent State University
- John A. UpdegraffKent State University
- Mary Beth SpitznagelSumma Health System; Kent State University
Abstract
Several industries experience periods of cold exposure and rewarming throughout the workday but mental performance under these conditions is unknown. A better understanding of cognition during the rewarming phase after cold exposure may help reduce accidents and improve performance. Ten young men (wearing ~0.1 clo) underwent three consecutive mornings trials where they were exposed to cold air (10°C) and then subsequently rewarmed (25°C air). A computerised test battery was administered during each stage of the protocol to determine working memory, choice reaction time, executive function and maze navigation. Rectal and skin temperature, oxygen consumption and thermal sensation were also measured throughout and showed a typical response. Relative to baseline performance, working memory, choice reaction time and executive function declined during exposure to 10°C, and these impairments persisted 60 min into the recovery period (i.e. once physiological parameters had returned to baseline). Further work is needed to develop countermeasures to this predicament.
Practitioner summary
This study showed that working memory, choice reaction time and executive function declined during exposure to 10°C air, and these impairments persisted 60 min into the rewarming period (i.e. once measurable physiological parameters had returned to normal). Individuals may be at risk for injury after removal from a cold environment.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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