Acute Intermittent Hypoxia and Respiratory Strength Training to Improve Breathing Function After SCI
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts neural pathways to respiratory motor neurons, causing muscle paralysis and decreasedbreathing capacity. Since respiratory impairment is the major cause of illness and death with SCI, it is critical to devise new strategies torestore breathing function. One promising strategy to restore breathing capacity following SCI is to strengthen spared neural pathways byinducing spinal neuroplasticity. Our research group has developed novel methods to induce spinal respiratory plasticity in rats via repetitiveexposure to brief episodes of low oxygen (acute intermittent hypoxia or AIH). In rats with incomplete SCI, repeated AIH restores lostbreathing ability. These preclinical findings translate to humans with SCI; a single day of AIH, or daily AIH for 5 days (dAIH; 1-2 minof 9% oxygen, 1 min intervals), induces recovery of respiratory and non-respiratory motor function (such as walking or hand function). Wedemonstrated that AIH increases respiratory function in humans with chronic SCI. However, additional pre-clinical studies demonstrate thatAIH-induced functional benefits are enhanced by combining AIH with task-specific training. Unfortunately combined dAIH and task-specificrespiratory training has not been studied despite the promise of this novel therapeutic approach. It is essential to fill this knowledge gap aswe work to translate this simple, safe and effective treatment modality to restore breathing function in Veterans with breathing impairmentdue to SCI. Central Hypothesis: Combined dAIH and respiratory strength training will elicit greater and more sustained gains in respiratoryfunction than either treatment alone in people with chronic SCI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1166806
Entities
People
- Emily J Fox
Organizations
- University of Florida