Assessing Upper Extremity Function in Chronic Stroke Survivors Through Acute Intermittent Hypoxia

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT07113457

R21NS130367-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

STU00223882

Details and patient eligibility

About

Here we aim to observe effects of acute intermittent hypoxia in persons who have experienced a single stroke. We have previously shown this technique to be safe and effective at increasing strength in persons with disabilities, and here are aiming to determine the mechanism of how the breathing method modulates motor function.

Full description

Here we aim to observe effects of acute intermittent hypoxia in persons who have experienced a single stroke. We have previously shown this technique to be safe and effective at increasing strength in persons with disabilities, and here are aiming to determine the mechanism of how the breathing method modulates motor function.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• A first time, unilateral, ischemic, hemispheric stroke, confirmed by MRI
• Chedoke stage of hand assessment >= 3
• Ability to open and close affected hand
• Able to understand and communicate in english
• Able to independently consent
• over 6 months post stroke
• Must have a hemoglobin level above 10g/dl
• Must have ability to leave research visit with a compainon/group trasportation
• WOCBP must be comfortable confirming negative pregnancy prior to hypoxia
• Must not be involved in any other research intervention study testing upper extremities

Exclusion criteria

• History of prior neurological disorders
• Brain stem or cerebellar stroke; mean Fazekas score rated on initial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI greater than equal to 3
• Severe Aphasisa
• Pre-existing hypoxic pulmonary disease
• Includes positive Covid-pneumonia diagnosis within 1 year of screening visit
• Severe hypertension (>160/100)
• Any ischemic cardiac disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 1 patient group

Hypoxia

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive approximately 15 bouts of acute intermittent hypoxia. This intervention involves breathing lowered levels of oxygen (similar to being on a tall mountain) for 60 seconds at a time, followed by 60 seconds of room air. Participants will be assessed following the intervention.

Treatment:

Other: Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH)