Effects of Breathing Mild Bouts of Low Oxygen on Limb Mobility After Spinal Injury

About this trial

This trial is recruiting individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injuries to study how repeatedly breathing air with low oxygen (intermittent hypoxia therapy; IHT) enhances motor function and spinal plasticity (strengthening of nerve pathways). ITH will be done in combination with training to improve walking. Participants will breathe short periods of air with low oxygen through a face mask in combination with 30 minutes of walking training or 30 minutes of strength training only; each participant will receive both walking or strength training, but the investigator will not know the order of treatments. DNA will be taken from a saliva sample at the first visit and analyzed for a protein marker that may predict response to IHT. The study will measure walking endurance and muscle strength.