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Int J Sports Med 1992; 13: S37-S39
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024587
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Control of Anxiety and Acute Mountain Sickness in Himalayan Mountaineers

G. Missoum, E. Rosnet, J.-P. Richalet
  • Université Paris X, Nanterre; Association pour la Recherche en Physiologie de l'Environnement, UFR Médecine Bobigny, Bobigny, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

This investigation explores the relationship between psychological factors and acute mountain sickness (AMS). AMS occurs in most people staying more than a few hours above 3500 m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anorexia, etc. Subjects studied were climbers preparing for an expedition to the Himalayas (80 men and 20 women). The psychological investigation consisted in two mono-factorial tests: STAI (anxiety inventory) and Bortner stress scale. After the expedition, subjects were classified into two groups: those who were susceptible to AMS and those who were not. Results indicated that the two groups differed for trait-anxiety on one hand, and for the level of anxiety before the final ascent on the other hand. In both cases, subjects susceptible to AMS were significantly more anxious than those who were not.

Key words

Psychology - alpinism - stress - anxiety - acute mountain sickness

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