A Pilot Study of Acute Intermittent Hypercapnia-Based Interventions on Upper Airway and Axial Motor Function in Parkinson's Disease
University of Florida
Summary
Parkinsonism impairs upper airway and axial motor control, leading to disordered breathing, reduced speech volume, and ineffective cough. Symptoms are poorly addressed by current therapies. This randomized pilot trial tests whether a single session of acute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (AIHH) or hypercapnic normoxia (AIHN) improves upper airway and axial motor function in Parkinsonism, and explores biomarker correlates of intervention responsiveness.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. adults 40 to 75 years of age (the latter to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease) 2. diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinsonism with Hoehn and Yahr stages 2-4 3. medically stable with physician clearance 4. ability to ambulate at least 10 feet with/without assistance 5. ability to follow directions 6. willing to abstain from blood donation for the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. additional neurologic conditions 2. severe illness or infection, including respiratory/cardiovascular/lung disease, or uncontrolled hypertension 3. inspiratory stridor 4. pre…
Interventions
- OtherAcute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (AIHH)
Participants randomized to Group 1 will breathe brief bouts of AIHH, involving 15, 1.5-min exposures to 9-10% O2 and 4-5% CO2, alternated with 1 minute of 21% O2 (room air).
- OtherAcute intermittent hypercapnic normoxia (AIHN)
Participants randomized to Group 2 will breathe brief bouts of AIHN, involving 15, 1.5-min exposures to 21% O2 and 4-5% CO2, alternated with 1 minute of 21% O2 (room air).
Locations (2)
- University of FloridaGainesville, Florida
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological DiseasesGainesville, Florida