Breathing Low Oxygen to Enhance Spinal Stimulation Training and Functional Recovery for Aging Adults With Chronic SCI: The BO2ST-II Trial
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine how combining bouts of low oxygen, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, and walking training may improve walking function for people with chronic spinal cord injury of different age groups.
Description
The goal of the study is to determine the optimal dosage for different age groups of repeatedly breathing mild bouts of low oxygen for brief periods (termed acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH)) combined with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSTIM) to improve recovery of walking and strength after spinal cord injury. Preliminary studies have shown that combining AIH and tSTIM with walking training can enhance individuals walking training greater than just AIH or tSTIM. By using low oxygen as a pre-treatment to tSTIM during walking training, functional independence and quality of life may im…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 to 80 years of age * medically stable with medical clearance from study physician to participate * SCI at or below C1 and at or above L2 with at least some sensory or motor function preserved below the neurologic level * non-progressive etiology of spinal injury * American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores of C-D at initial screen * ambulatory (able to complete the 10-meter walk test without support from another person) * chronic injury (define as \> 12 months post-injury) to avoid potential for spontaneous neurological plasticity and recovery Exclusion Criteri…
Interventions
- OtherDaily acute intermittent hypoxia
Each participant will be exposed to 16 sessions of daily acute intermittent hypoxia via air generators over the span of four weeks. The generator will fill reservoir bags attached to a non-rebreathing facemask. Each session will consist of 15 episodes which include intervals of 1.5 minute hypoxia (FIO2=0.10±0.02, i.e. 10% O2) and 1 minute normoxia (FIO2=0.21±0.02).
- DeviceWalking + tSTIM
Individuals will participate in 45 minutes of gait training while having transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. Stimulation intensity will be 80% involuntary motor threshold.
Locations (2)
- Brooks Rehabilitation HospitalJacksonville, Florida
- Spaulding Rehabilitation HospitalCambridge, Massachusetts