Acute Intermittent Hypoxia on Leg Function Following Spinal Cord Injury

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Spinal Cord Injuries

In brief

The purpose of this study is to determine how the nervous system controlling leg muscles is altered following spinal cord injury and how they may be affected by brief periods of low oxygen inhalation over time. The investigators hypothesize: * Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) exposure will increase maximum voluntary leg strength in persons with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) * AIH exposure will increase multijoint reflex excitability of leg muscles in persons with incomplete cervical SCI * AIH exposure will increase walking performance in persons with incomplete cervical SCI

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02274116

Run by

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

People needed

30

Starts

2014-10-01

Expected to finish

2027-11-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-20

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18 to 75 years old (the latter to reduce likelihood of heart disease);
• medically stable with clearance from physician to participate;
• motor---incomplete SCI at C2---L5 with non---progressive etiology;
• >6 months since SCI to ensure minimal confounds of spontaneous neurological recovery;
• those classified as ambulatory must have the ability to advance one step overground without human assistance.

You may not qualify if…

• concurrent illness, including unhealed decubiti, severe neuropathic or chronic pain syndrome, infection, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis (history of fractures), active heterotopic ossification, or known history of peripheral nerve injury to legs;
• less than 24 on the Mini-mental Exam;
• recurrent autonomic dysreflexia
• cardiopulmonary complications
• concurrent physical therapy
• pregnancy because of unknown effects of AIH on a fetus, although women will not otherwise be excluded

Where it is running

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital — Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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