Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Evaluating the Use of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia to Improve Symptoms in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04280484

Enrollment

Registered

2020-02-21

Start date

2018-06-18

Completion date

2019-12-30

Last updated

2020-02-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting

Brief summary

The overall objective of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), to improve muscle strength and activity level in individuals with relapsing-remitting MS.

Interventions

OTHERIntermittent Hypoxia

1 minute of 9% oxygen in the inspired air, alternating with 1 minute of 21% oxygen; for a total of 15 iterations/episodes.

OTHERSham Hypoxia

1 minute of 21% oxygen in the inspired air, alternating with 1 minute of 21% oxygen; for a total of 15 iterations/episodes.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 75 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Have relapsing-remitting MS * Volitional ankle plantar flexion strength in at least one leg * Are relapse free for 30 days * Patient-Determined Disease Steps scale score between 3 and 5 (3=gait disability to 5=late cane, need cane to walk 25 feet)

Exclusion criteria

* Currently taking antispasticity medications, * Have cardiovascular or respiratory/pulmonary disorders, metabolic dysfunction, or prior diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea * Pregnant or nursing women (safety for developing fetus or infant is unknown) * Cognitive concerns (must be able to consent to study, follow steps)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Voluntary Ankle Strength	60 minutes post-intervention	Maximum isometric ankle plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion torque using a Biodex

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Electromyogram activity	60 minutes post-intervention	Plantar-flexor and Dorsi-flexor electromyogram activity
Symbol Digit Modalities Test	60 minutes post-intervention	The symbol-digit modalities test (SDMT) is a symbol substitution neuropsychological test that examines a person's attention and speed of processing

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026