Mechanisms of Intermittent Hypoxia-induced Motor Recovery in Persons With SCI
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.
Description
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. Repetitive exposure to mild hypoxia triggers a cascade of events in the spinal cord, including new protein synthesis and increased sensitivity in the circuitry necessary for breathing and walking. Recently, the investigators demonstrated that daily (5 consecutive days of) intermittent hypoxia stimulated walking enhancement in persons with chronic…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 and 75 years (the latter to reduce likelihood of heart disease) * Medical clearance to participate * Lesion at or below C2 and above T12 with non-progressive etiology * Classified as motor-incomplete with visible volitional leg movement * Injury greater than 1 year Exclusion Criteria: * Concurrent severe medical illness (i.e., infection, cardiovascular disease, ossification, recurrent autonomic dysreflexia, unhealed decubiti, and history of pulmonary complications) * Pregnant women because of the unknown affects of AIH on pregnant women and fetus * History of se…
Interventions
- OtherAIH
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.
- OtherWalk
30 minutes of walking practice consisting of 5 repetitions of 6-minute walks
- OtherStrength
30 minutes of isometric ankle plantar flexion torque practice broken into 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Location
- Spaulding Rehabilitation HospitalCambridge, Massachusetts