Can Mountain-Air breathing boost leg strength after spinal injury?
NCT ID NCT07739992
First seen Jul 31, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether brief, controlled episodes of breathing lowered oxygen — similar to being on a tall mountain — can improve leg strength and reaction time in people with incomplete spinal cord injury. Participants will receive different doses of this low-oxygen therapy or a sham version, and researchers will measure ankle force and response speed to find the most effective dose. The study also looks at how the body responds to low oxygen to understand why results may vary between individuals.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) — brief, controlled episodes of breathing lowered oxygen through a mask, compared with sham (room air)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free breathing technique to boost leg strength and movement speed in people with incomplete spinal cord injury.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small and early, and it is testing different doses to see which works best — so it may not find a clear winner. Breathing low oxygen carries risks like low blood oxygen levels, and people with certain health conditions are excluded.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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