Breathing low oxygen boosts hand strength in spinal cord injury patients?
NCT ID NCT03643770
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tested whether short bursts of low-oxygen breathing (acute intermittent hypoxia) combined with high-intensity arm training could improve hand and arm function in 58 people with chronic spinal cord injury. Participants had injuries between neck levels C1 and T1 and were at least 6 months post-injury. The goal was to see if this safe, non-invasive approach could boost nerve signals and help with daily tasks like grasping and coordination.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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58 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2018
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- 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.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * History of a non-progressive spinal cord injury, inclusive of levels of C1-T1. * Etiology of spinal cord injury is non-progressive in nature * Be able to demonstrate some hand muscle activation, or use of a tenodesis grasp (wrist extension) * At least 6 months post injury * Participants do NOT have to stop taking antispasticity medications to participate in the study. * Must be tested for anemia with a value of at least 10g/dl (for both men and women). * Patients will be recommended to their primary care physician to correct anemia if low levels are detected * Blood pressure must fall within this range- high: 160/110mmHg low: 85/55 mmHg * Must be asymptomatic (no dizziness, lightheadedness, etc) Exclusion Criteria: * Medical conditions, including: congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, severe asthma, previous myocardial infraction, or known carotid/intracerebral artery stenosis. * Women who are currently pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant * Current tracheostomy placement * Utilization of mechanical ventilator for breathing * Current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea * Orthopedic injuries or surgeries that would limit participation * Concurrent participation in another research study or therapy services * Comorbid traumatic brain injury or other neurologic injuries that would impact cognition
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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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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- 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
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- Can painless spinal zaps teach injured kids to walk again?