This study will utilize short duration and mild levels of reduced oxygen (hypoxia) to induce spinal plasticity while evaluating the appropriate timing schedule for this intervention, as well as, the effects of superimposing sessions of a therapy, in individuals with chronic incomplete SCI. Our aim is to establish the time-course of outcome improvement and decay following a single session or multiple sessions of AIH therapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
24
Patients will breath 9%-11% oxigen for 1.5 minutes interspersed with 1.5 minutes of 21% oxigen (normoxia), 15 times for a total of 45 minutes.
Patients will breath 21% oxigen for 1.5 minutes interspersed with 1.5 minutes of room air, 15 times for a total of 45 minutes.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
RECRUITINGChange in grip strength
A dynamometer measures maximum gross grasp (kglb) averaged over three attempts with each hand. The minimum possible value of zero kg lb will be assigned when the participant cannot actively flex the fingers or grasp the dynamometer. Standard position includes the participant in a supported sitting position, with shoulder in adducted and in neutral rotation and the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. The forearm should be in neutral rotation. The arm should not be supported by an arm rest or research personnel.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately following intervention, and every 30 minutes for 5 hours
Pinch Strength
A pinch gauge measures maximum pinch force (kglb) averaged over three attempts with each hand. The minimum possible value of zero kg will be assigned when the participant cannot actively squeeze the pinch meter between the thumb and index finger. Standard position includes the participant in a supported sitting position, with shoulder in adducted and in neutral rotation and the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. The gauge will be placed between the thumb and lateral surface of the index finger (lateral pinch).
Time frame: Baseline, immediately following intervention, and every 30 minutes for 5 hours
9 Hole Peg Test
A measure of finger dexterity involving the placement of pegs from a container to holes on a board, and subsequent removal, as quickly as possible. The total number of seconds until task completion is recorded, as measured by when the participant touches the first peg to when the last peg is placed back into the container.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately following intervention, and every 30 minutes for 5 hours
Box and Blocks test
A measure of manual dexterity that requires repeatedly moving 1-inch blocks from one side of a box to another in 60 seconds
Time frame: Baseline, immediately following intervention, and every 30 minutes for 5 hours
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