Breathing low oxygen may reboot walking after spinal injury

NCT ID NCT02632422

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Shepherd Center

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, United States

  • Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

    Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States