Effect of Intermittent Hypoxia in Healthy Individuals

Launched by SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB · Dec 28, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at whether a single, short session of acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) – brief periods of low oxygen mixed with normal air – can change upper-arm strength and brain activity in healthy adults. It uses a two-session, cross-over design where each participant experiences both real AIH and a sham (fake) AIH session. The main thing researchers are measuring is how grip strength changes right after AIH; they’re also using MRI to look at brain activity changes right after the AIH session. About 32 healthy adults between 18 and 70 years old may be enrolled, and the study is run at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. The person evaluating outcomes will not know which treatment was given.

In each visit, AIH involves a 30-minute session with short, controlled drops in oxygen levels (about 10%) alternating with normal air, compared with a sham session that mimics the process without the actual hypoxia. Eligibility requires adults aged 18–70 who are healthy, medically stable, not pregnant, not a current smoker, not on certain spasticity meds, and able to undergo MRI (no metal in the eyes/face, no implanted devices, etc.). The goal is to better understand how AIH may influence neural pathways that control moving the arm and hand, which could inform future therapies for people with neurological injuries. Participation is invitation-based, and this is a safety- and science-focused study rather than a drug or device trial regulated by the FDA.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • No history of neurologic injury or progressive neuromuscular disorder
• • Individuals ages 18-70 years old
• • Must be medically stable with no history of cardiovascular instability, congestive heart failure or stroke
• • Not currently (\>2 weeks) on any medications related to spasticity
• • No history of Sleep apnea
• • Not a current smoker
• • Able to comply with protocol/study requirements
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Recent change in the use of narcotic, anti-inflammatory or pain medication
• • unstable medical conditions or any other clinical observation that may affect the candidate's performance, health, safety or the ability to participate in the study determined by the treating therapist or coordinating staff
• • Active participation in another movement research study or therapy program
• • Anti-spasticity drug injection less than 3 months prior to beginning treatment
• • Musculoskeletal pain that interferes with participation in study
• • Women who are currently, may be, or planning on becoming pregnant
• * for fMRI participation, participants will be excluded if they have:
• • Metal fragments in eyes or face
• • Implantation of any electronic devices such as (but not limited to) cardiac pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, cochlea implants, or nerve stimulators
• • Vascular surgery
• • Claustrophobia
• • Body piercing or tattoos