Breathing low oxygen may reboot walking after spinal injury

NCT ID NCT02632422

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether short, mild low-oxygen breathing sessions can improve walking and leg strength in people with a recent spinal cord injury. Over 10 sessions, participants breathe either low-oxygen air or normal air through a mask. The goal is to see if this simple approach can help retrain the nervous system and boost recovery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: mild low-oxygen air (intermittent hypoxia)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to help people with spinal cord injury regain walking ability.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with no phase designation, so results may not be conclusive. The effect may be small or not last long, and not everyone may benefit.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SPINAL CORD INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Shepherd Center

Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, United States
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States

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