Effects of Levocetirizine and Hydroxyzine on Cognitive and Psychomotor Functioning During Simulated Diving
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Antihistamines are commonly used and currently levocetirizine is most frequently prescribed
in the Netherlands. They are commonly used by divers, to solve ear, nose and throat problems,
especially to open tubal passage. However, the effects of these drugs on cognitive
performance have not been investigated during diving.The objective of this study is to
investigate the effects of levocetirizine, hydroxyzine and placebo on cognitive and
psychomotor functioning during controlled simulated diving in a hyperbaric chamber in
professional navy divers at 10 mt (2 bar) and 30 mt (4 bar).It is hypothesized that
hydroxyzine will produce significant impairment, and that the magnitude of impairment is
related to hyperbaric pressure.