Breathing trick boosts walking after spinal injury
NCT ID NCT02274116
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether brief periods of breathing low oxygen can improve leg strength and walking in people with chronic spinal cord injury. Thirty adults with incomplete spinal cord injury will inhale low oxygen for short sessions over time. Researchers will measure walking endurance and speed to see if this simple approach helps recovery.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Start date
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Oct 2014
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 to 75 years old (the latter to reduce likelihood of heart disease); * medically stable with clearance from physician to participate; * motor---incomplete SCI at C2---L5 with non---progressive etiology; * \>6 months since SCI to ensure minimal confounds of spontaneous neurological recovery; * those classified as ambulatory must have the ability to advance one step overground without human assistance. Exclusion Criteria: * concurrent illness, including unhealed decubiti, severe neuropathic or chronic pain syndrome, infection, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis (history of fractures), active heterotopic ossification, or known history of peripheral nerve injury to legs; * less than 24 on the Mini-mental Exam; * recurrent autonomic dysreflexia * cardiopulmonary complications * concurrent physical therapy * pregnancy because of unknown effects of AIH on a fetus, although women will not otherwise be 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
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Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Serotonin precursor probed for spinal cord injury effects
- Breathing brief Low-Oxygen bursts may boost sleep apnea treatment
- Pure oxygen tested as a switch for dormant nerves after spinal cord injury
- Spinal stimulation tested to help kids with spinal cord injuries sit taller
- Zapping the spine: a new hope for kids with paralysis?
- Can painless spinal zaps teach injured kids to walk again?