What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involving 30 active divers to assess the effects of pseudoephedrine on mental function and heart activity at 1 and 3 atmospheres of pressure.
What They Found
Pseudoephedrine did not significantly alter psychometric test scores (p>0.05) but tended to increase anxiety (p=0.092). Depth, however, significantly increased anxiety (p=0.021) and decreased verbal fluency (p=0.041). Pseudoephedrine significantly increased heart rate (p=0.036), while depth significantly decreased it (p=0.013), with neither affecting cardiac rhythm.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients who are active divers and might consider using pseudoephedrine, this study suggests the drug does not significantly impair mental performance at pressures up to 3 ATA (66 feet of sea water). However, divers should be aware that depth itself can increase anxiety and affect verbal fluency.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study involved a specific group of active divers and did not fully explore the clinical significance of the observed heart rate changes.