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Recruiting NCT07583498

Spasticity in SCI Following Acute Intermittent Hypoxia

No phase Interventional Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI). Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Does the Administration of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Persons With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Make Spasticity Worse?

Overview

This study aims to observe the effects of administration of a breathing intervention (Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH)) on spasticity (tightness) in individuals with incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. It is hypothesized that hypoxia will decrease the reflex threshold of the biceps brachii, indicating an increase in spasticity following the AIH.

Detailed description

In the case of incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury, it is know now that muscular strength improves quickly after AIH administration, and this Increase in voluntary strength lasts from three to six hours. The Increase in strength, coupled with demonstrated improvements in spinal cord neural plasticity, makes AIH administration a potentially valuable new therapeutic intervention. AIH initially acts by releasing serotonin in the central nervous system, enhancing persistent sodium uptake (via the motor neuron soma) and activating voltage-gated calcium channels in motor neuron dendrites. There are also other effects of serotonin on motor neuron excitable channels. One potential complication of hypoxia is linked to the changes in motor neuron excitability in humans with SCI.

These issues may be relevant to our potential work on the Therapeutic efficacy of AIH in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury. In other words, if individuals are highly spastic, it may indicate that their neuronal receptor sites are inaccessible, and increasing spinal cord serotonin levels may not be beneficial.

Interventions

  • Device Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH)
    This intervention involves breathing lowered levels of oxygen for 60 seconds, alternating with 60 seconds of room air breathing. Participants will be monitored and observed during the entire session for any changes in vital signs

Primary outcome measures

  • Change in reflex indentation threshold [Time frame: Day 1 of Intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
  • Change in Modified Ashworth Scale - Elbow [Time frame: Day 1 of intervention]
  • Grip Strength [Time frame: Day 1 of intervention]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Age >= 18
  • Non-progressive spinal Cord injury at least 6 months prior
  • Level of injury between C1-C8
  • ISNCSCI ASIA classification C or D
  • Measurable Spasticity

Exclusion criteria

  • Pre-existing hypoxic pulmonary disease
  • Positive Covid-Pneumonia diagnosis within 1 year of visit
  • Uncontrolled hypertension >140/90 mmHg
  • Individuals who are currently pregnant/nursing or planning on becoming pregnant
  • Individuals with a tracheostomy or who utilize mechanical ventilation
  • A botulinum toxin injection to upper extremity musculature within the past 3 months
  • Currently taking Baclofen
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Emphysema
  • Severe Asthma
  • Previous myocardial infarction
  • Carotid/intracerebral artery stenosis
  • Orthopedic injuries or surgeries that impact the ability to use the upper extremity
  • History of Epilepsy

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
N/A
Model
Single group
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Diagnostic

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — Chicago

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07583498 · STU00225515

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗