A study of mood changes and personality during a 31-day period of chronic hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber (Everest-Comex 97)

High altitudes of more than 3,000 meters produce physiological disorders an d adverse changes in mood states. In the present study. we report analyses of mood stares and personality traits in eight experienced climbers partici pating in a 31-day period of confinement in hypobaric chamber and gradual d ecompression from sea level to 8,848 m (Experiment 'Everest-Comex 97'). The subjects were tested at 5,500 m and 6,500 m on Day 13, 5,000 m and 6,500 m on Day 24, and 8,000 m and 8,848 m altitude on Days 27 and 31. Adverse cha nges in mood states, such as Vigor and Fatigue, occurred at 8,000 m and 8,8 48 m, which were significantly correlated with cerebral altitude symptomato logy. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between Fat igue and Factor C, which is a personality measure of emotional stability. W e suggest that individuals with low emotional stability could be more sensi tive to environmental stressors than more emotionally stable subjects who f ace reality.