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Effects of Breathing Mild Bouts of Low Oxygen on Limb Mobility After Spinal Injury
Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Summary
Accumulating evidence suggests that repeatedly breathing low oxygen levels for brief periods (termed intermittent hypoxia) is a safe and effective treatment strategy to promote meaningful functional recovery in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The goal of the study is to understand the mechanisms by which intermittent hypoxia enhances motor function and spinal plasticity (ability of the nervous system to strengthen neural pathways based on new experiences) following SCI.
Official title: Mechanisms of Intermittent Hypoxia-induced Motor Recovery in Persons With SCI
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
44
Start Date
2014-10
Completion Date
2027-11
Last Updated
2026-03-20
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
AIH
Participants will breathe intermittent low oxygen via air generators. The generators will fill reservoir bags attached to a non-rebreathing face mask. Oxygen concentration will be continuously monitored to ensure delivery of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) = 0.10±0.02 (hypoxia). Participants will receive treatment on 5 consecutive days.
Walk
30 minutes of walking practice consisting of 5 repetitions of 6-minute walks
Strength
30 minutes of isometric ankle plantar flexion torque practice broken into 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Locations (1)
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States