Stroke
Conditions
Brief summary
Of the 795,000 people who experience a stroke every year in the US, only a small percentage will achieve full recovery. While current therapies promote strength and endurance, none directly address the unique potential of the brain to reorganize following injury. The goal of this project is to explore the effects of a novel therapy, acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH). During this therapy, individuals receive brief bouts of reduced oxygen levels by inhalation through a face mask. (This is akin to being on top of a tall mountain). In brief exposures, AIH is known to trigger the release of specific proteins that help the brain adapt to oxygen reductions. Published results in people with incomplete spinal cord injury have shown that AIH enhances muscle strength and coordination rather quickly. The research team aims to study the effects of AIH in stroke survivors.
Detailed description
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide. Despite the spontaneous recovery that occurs following a hemispheric stroke, more than half of stroke patients show substantial residual impairments, imposing a significant human and economic burden. This burden is likely to increase in coming decades, due to a rapidly aging population, and the associated progression of cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, new interventions to alleviate impairment in stroke survivors are urgently needed. The development and testing of one such novel intervention, termed Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), is the primary focus of this AHA Innovative Project Award. The aim is to answer questions related to safety and preliminary efficacy of AIH in stroke survivors. First, the Investigators will establish whether brief reductions in inhaled oxygen concentration can be safely tolerated in stroke survivors. A clinician will closely monitor subjects for any adverse events. The second aim is to establish the effects of AIH on elbow flexion/extension strength, and on hand grip and pinch strength. Subjects will be monitored closely for any adverse events during these experiments. Data will be analyzed to determine if there is an improvement in key outcomes at any dose level.
Interventions
An oxygen monitor will continuously measure and record the fraction of inspired oxygen delivered to the subject. Inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) of the gas mixture will be individually adjusted using the valve settings to reach the targeted SpO2. The gas mixtures administered during the four sessions will be 21% O2 (target SpO2 = 95%), 17% O2 (target SpO2 = 92%), 13% O2 (target SpO2 = 87%) and 9% O2 (target SpO2 = 82%).
Sponsors
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Age ≥18 years; A first time, unilateral, ischemic, hemispheric stroke, confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Chedoke assessment \> 3 Ability to open and close affected hand Able to understand and communicate in English Be able to consent independently ≥ 6 months post stroke Must have a hemoglobin level above 10g/dl (to be confirmed using handheld noninvasive lab equipment) Must have ability to attend research visits with a companion for assistance WOCBP must be comfortable confirming negative pregnancy prior to hypoxia experimental therapy.
Exclusion criteria
Brain stem or cerebellar stroke; mean Fazekas score rated on initial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI ≥3 Severe aphasia, preventing subject from understanding the protocol and giving written consent; History of prior neurological disorder; Pre-existing hypoxic pulmonary disease, Severe hypertension (\>160/100) Ischemic cardiac disease.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical/neurological status over the duration of the study | 6 days | All adverse events will be reviewed for safety and study continuation by the medical monitor. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fugl- Meyer Assessment | 6 days | Each test element will be graded on a 3-point ordinal scale and summed up to provide a maximum upper limb score of 66. Reliability and validity have been demonstrated. The FMA will be administered while the subject is seated. |
| Modified Ashworth Scale | 6 days | This scale allows for characterization of increases in muscle tone, from low or normal tone to complete limb rigidity. Specifically, we will evaluate the elbow flexors, bilaterally |
| Grip strength | 6 days | A dynamometer measures maximum gross grasp (lb.) averaged over three attempts with each hand. The minimum possible value of zero lb. will be assigned when the participant cannot actively flex the fingers or grasp the dynamometer. Completed bilaterally, if possible |
| National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) | 6 days | is a tool used by healthcare providers to objectively quantify the impairment caused by a stroke. The NIHSS is composed of 11 items, each of which scores a specific ability between a 0 and 4. For each item, a score of 0 typically indicates normal function in that specific ability, while a higher score is indicative of some level of impairment. The individual scores from each item are summed in order to calculate a patient's total NIHSS score ranging from 0-42. |
| Elbow strength | 6 days | monitoring changes in isometric elbow flexion force using a dynamometer. A total of three trials will be taken on each side, with a rest break between trials. The average of the three trials will be recorded. |
| D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test | 6 days | A neuropsychological measure that seeks to evaluate attention and inhibition. Subjects will be asked to read words or name ink colors as quickly as possible within a given time limit. The test supplies the examiner with three separate scores, including an ability to calculate an interference score. This final score allows for interpretation of cognitive flexibility, creativity and cognitive stress. This measure will be utilized to monitor subjects throughout their participation at specific time-points. Audio recording may be taken to ensure accurate recording of responses |
| 5 minute neurological test | 6 days | Quick short tests to assess clinical status |
| Pinch Strength | 6 days | Hydraulic Handheld Dynamometer): A dynamometer measures maximum gross grasp (lb.) averaged over 3 attempts with each hand. The minimum possible value of zero lb. will be assigned when the participant cannot actively flex the fingers or grasp the dynamometer. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed