MEDEX Manaslu 2015
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Medical Expeditions Manaslu Medical Research Expedition 2015
IRAS ID
156855
Contact name
Jamie Macdonald
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Many people travel to high altitude for work and recreation. However physical and mental health can be adversely affected by altitude exposure. During a multi-week trek to high altitude, organised by MEDEX and supported by the charity Medical Expeditions, we will investigate various aspects of physical and mental health. Our findings will be of direct relevance to those who travel and work at high altitude, and will also increase understanding of sea level chronic diseases that are associated with low blood oxygen content (such as lung disease).
Specifically, observational studies will investigate whether a lack of an increase in heart rate can predict altitude illness; whether sleep disturbances can predict altitude illness; and whether fitness can predict success in reaching a mountain summit. Interventional studies will investigate whether breathing out against a restriction (using a positive expiratory pressure machine as used in critical care) reduces altitude illness and whether reducing blood flow to the leg (using an inflated blood pressure cuff) reduces altitude illness. Finally a qualitative study will determine how people cope with the mental stress induced in altitude environments.
Anyone with an enthusiasm for the outdoors is eligible to attend a MEDEX expedition and is eligible to be a research participant.
A pre-expedition data collection period will be held at Bangor University. The trek will be completed in the Manaslu region of the Himalaya in Nepal. Testing will be completed on the trek and at the expedition basecamp in field laboratories.
A pre-expedition data collection period will last one weekend. The trek will last five weeks, 10 days of which will be spent at basecamp. Whilst on trek, participants will spend a maximum of 1 hour per day completing data collection activities. Whilst at basecamp, participants will spend a maximum of five days completing data collection activities.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
14/WA/1260
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion