Effect of a Novel Intervention Using Daily Intermittent Hypoxia and High Intensity Training on Upper Limb Function in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injuries
About this trial
This is an interventional diagnostic trial for Spinal Cord Injuries focused on measuring hypoxia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- History of a non-progressive spinal cord injury, inclusive of levels of C1-T1.
- Etiology of spinal cord injury is non-progressive in nature
- Be able to demonstrate some hand muscle activation, or use of a tenodesis grasp (wrist extension)
- At least 6 months post injury
- Participants do NOT have to stop taking antispasticity medications to participate in the study.
- Must be tested for anemia with a value of at least 10g/dl (for both men and women).
- Patients will be recommended to their primary care physician to correct anemia if low levels are detected
- Blood pressure must fall within this range- high: 160/110mmHg low: 85/55 mmHg
- Must be asymptomatic (no dizziness, lightheadedness, etc)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Medical conditions, including: congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, severe asthma, previous myocardial infraction, or known carotid/intracerebral artery stenosis.
- Women who are currently pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
- Current tracheostomy placement
- Utilization of mechanical ventilator for breathing
- Current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea
- Orthopedic injuries or surgeries that would limit participation
- Concurrent participation in another research study or therapy services
- Comorbid traumatic brain injury or other neurologic injuries that would impact cognition
Sites / Locations
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLabRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
No Intervention
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
No Intervention
Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH) treatment
AIH in combination with upper extremity training
Sham AIH therapy in combination with upper extremity training
Sham AIH therapy
The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask. The mask is designed to couple with a universal mask circuit connecting to the air mixture system. The purpose of the mask will be to minimize room air entrainment.
The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask. The mask is designed to couple with a universal mask circuit connecting to the air mixture system. The purpose of the mask will be to minimize room air entrainment. In addition to this upper extremity training will be given using an upper-limb robotic rehabilitation device.
Sham hypoxia followed by upper extremity training will be given using an upper-limb robotic rehabilitation device (Armeo Spring®, Hocoma AG, Switzerland). Armeo Spring is a gravity support system based on an ergonomic arm exoskeleton with integrated springs.
Sham hypoxia