This study aims to evaluate how different doses of acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) affect lower-limb strength, reaction time, and responsiveness in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The objective is to identify the dose that most effectively improves motor output while also examining parameters that may account for variability in response.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
In this intervention, participants will wear a fitted mask, and will be given 15 bouts of room air through the same delivery system as the AIH interventions
In this intervention, participants will wear a fitted mask, and will be given 15, 60 second bouts of lowered oxygen (9% O2, akin to being on a tall mountain). Following the 60 seconds of hypoxia, participants will be given 60 seconds of room air
In this intervention, participants will wear a fitted mask, and will be given 23, 60 second bouts of lowered oxygen (9% O2, akin to being on a tall mountain). Following the 60 seconds of hypoxia, participants will be given 60 seconds of room air
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois, United States
RECRUITINGChange in ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion
Measurement of ankle force during a maximum voluntary contraction while pushing or pulling on a force plate
Time frame: Immediately following Intervention
Lower Limb Reaction time
Assessed using visual, auditory, and combined cueing tasks, reaction time will be quantified as the time from cue presentation to muscle activity onset
Time frame: Immediately following intervention
SpO2 burden
SpO2 data collected continuously throughout the hypoxic periods, defined as the area under the SpO2 time desaturation curve below a baseline threshold, this quantifies the cumulative hypoxic dose experienced
Time frame: During intervention
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response
HVR will be assessed using breath-by-breath monitoring of ventilation via respiratory flow sensor or pneumotachograph during intervention. The relation between ventilation increases and the corresponding reduction SpO2 will quantify individual ventilatory responsiveness
Time frame: During intervention
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