Changes in simple visual matching task performance and physiological signals in intellectually and developmentally disabled people due to administration of highly concentrated oxygen

BACKGROUND: This study attempted to identify the effect of administration of highly concentrated oxygen on simple visual matching task performance, blood oxygen saturation [SpO₂ (%)], and heart rate [HR (bpm)] of intellectually and developmentally disabled people. METHODS: Nineteen intellectually and developmentally disabled people (mean age 30.6 ± 5.7 years) participated in an experiment consisting of a simple visual matching task performed under 21% and 92% oxygen. SpO₂ and HR were measured under both oxygen conditions. RESULTS: When 92% oxygen was supplied, the response time decreased, SpO₂ increased, and HR decreased compared to the vales obtained using 21% oxygen. The response time decreased for subjects with a high SpO₂ and HR during the simple visual matching task phase. CONCLUSION: This result supports the hypothesis that administration of highly concentrated oxygen can positively affect the cognitive performance of intellectually and developmentally disabled people.