Spinal Cord Injuries
Conditions
Keywords
Acute Intermittent Hypoxia, Motor Unit, Upper Extremity
Brief summary
In this current study, the examiners examine some of the mechanisms of how Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH) effects the upper extremity of survivors of spinal cord injury. This is accomplished both with the use of a load cell to determine elbow strength changes and high density grid electromyography (EMG) to record bicep muscle activations before and after bouts of AIH
Detailed description
It has been shown previously that there is an increase in strength in survivors of spinal cord injury after brief bouts of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia. In this study, participants are fitted with a high density EMG electrode on the biceps brachii, and attached to a load cell at the wrist, they are asked to flex and extend their elbow at various levels of intensity. This is performed before and after the 30 minute session of AIH. The investigators hope to identify specific types of motor units of the upper extremity of survivors of spinal cord injury after AIH to help further our understanding of what mechanisms may be causing the known increase in muscle strength post AIH
Interventions
Acute Intermittent Hypoxia is administered in 30-60 second bouts of 9% O2 concentration, followed by 60-90 seconds of normoxic air concentrations (21% O2, room air). This procedure is repeated 15 times for a 30 minute session
Sponsors
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Every participant in this study will receive the intervention
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* History of Spinal Cord Injury from C3-T4 * Non-progressive spinal cord injury * More than 6 months since initial Spinal Cord injury * Ability to understand and willingness to sign written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of any of the following medical conditions: Congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, COPD/emphysema and severe asthma * Persons with known coronary artery disease, a history of myocardial infarction, or known carotid or intracerebral artery stenosis * Medical clearance will be required if participant is taking any other investigational agents * Women who are pregnant or nursing * Individuals with tracheostomy * Cannot pursue other research studies which may interfere * Unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Prisoners
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Elbow Strength [Newtons] | 30 minutes Post intervention | Recordings of the elbow joint torque are taken while the participant is asked to flex and extend the elbow voluntarily at a maximum level of intensity |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Biceps Brachii Muscle activation [μv] | 30 minutes post intervention | Peak electromyographic activation of the biceps brachii muscle during maximum voluntary flexion and extension tasks |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed