BioFLO for Respiratory Recovery in SCI

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 62 individuals with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injuries to test the effect of two types of acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH and AIHH) on breathing function. AIH involves brief, repeated episodes of breathing low oxygen air; AIHH includes repeated episodes of low oxygen and elevated carbon dioxide. Intermittent hypoxia has been shown to stimulate spinal nerve growth (plasticity). If included, participants will complete either 3 single-session testing days; or 3 respiratory strength training blocks. The first group will then complete 3 testing days, receiving AIH, AIHH, and sham AIH in random order each day. The second group will receive 5 days of AIH, 5 days of AIHH, and 5 days of sham AIH in random order, followed by respiratory strength training. Investigators want to see if AIHH improves breathing more than AIH. Final testing of respiration will be performed 7 days after the intervention.