Intermittent Hypoxia and Upper Extremity EMG Recordings in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab8 enrolled

Overview

In this current study, the examiners examine some of the mechanisms of how Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH) effects the upper extremity of survivors of spinal cord injury. This is accomplished both with the use of a load cell to determine elbow strength changes and high density grid electromyography (EMG) to record bicep muscle activations before and after bouts of AIH

It has been shown previously that there is an increase in strength in survivors of spinal cord injury after brief bouts of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia. In this study, participants are fitted with a high density EMG electrode on the biceps brachii, and attached to a load cell at the wrist, they are asked to flex and extend their elbow at various levels of intensity. This is performed before and after the 30 minute session of AIH. The investigators hope to identify specific types of motor units of the upper extremity of survivors of spinal cord injury after AIH to help further our understanding of what mechanisms may be causing the known increase in muscle strength post AIH

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Interventions

Acute Intermittent HypoxiaOTHER

Acute Intermittent Hypoxia is administered in 30-60 second bouts of 9% O2 concentration, followed by 60-90 seconds of normoxic air concentrations (21% O2, room air). This procedure is repeated 15 times for a 30 minute session

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * History of Spinal Cord Injury from C3-T4 * Non-progressive spinal cord injury * More than 6 months since initial Spinal Cord injury * Ability to understand and willingness to sign written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of any of the following medical conditions: Congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, COPD/emphysema and severe asthma * Persons with known coronary artery disease, a history of myocardial infarction, or known carotid or intracerebral artery stenosis * Medical clearance will be required if participant is taking any other investigational agents * Women who are pregnant or nursing * Individuals with tracheostomy * Cannot pursue other research studies which may interfere * Unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Prisoners

Locations (1)

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maximal Elbow Strength [Newtons]

Recordings of the elbow joint torque are taken while the participant is asked to flex and extend the elbow voluntarily at a maximum level of intensity

Time frame: 30 minutes Post intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Biceps Brachii Muscle activation [μv]

Peak electromyographic activation of the biceps brachii muscle during maximum voluntary flexion and extension tasks

Time frame: 30 minutes post intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.