Non-Invasive Interventions for Respiratory Recovery in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Drug
General health
Online since 18 November 2025, updated 15 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 20 participants with chronic spinal cord injury to test the combined effect of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) and acute intermittent hypercapnic-hypoxia (HiCO₂-AIH) on breathing function. tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. HiCO₂-AIH is an intervention to test the effect on respiratory function as a result of repeatedly breathing air with low oxygen content and elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) for brief periods, alternating with breathing room air with normal oxygen content. If included, participants will complete 4 treatment rounds in random order, each consisting of 4 consecutive days of therapy separated by 3-week breaks. These treatments are: 1) HiCO2-AIH + tSCS; 2) HiCO2-AIH + sham tSCS; 3) sham HiCO2-AIH + tSCS; and 4) sham HiCO2-AIH + sham tSCS. Final testing of breathing function will be performed after around 15 weeks.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 70 years
Injury level
C3 - T8
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-B
    AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    ≥ 12 months
    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C3-T8
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have a current diagnosis of an additional neurologic condition (e.g. multiple sclerosis or stroke)
    NOT have a history of seizure disorder

    What’s involved

    Type

    Drug

    Details

    - Participants will undergo combinations of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) paired with respiratory exercises, and acute intermittent hypercapnic-hypoxia (HiCO₂-AIH). - tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. - HiCO₂-AIH is an intervention to test the effect on plasticity resulting from repeatedly breathing air with low oxygen content and elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) for brief periods, alternating with breathing room air with normal oxygen content. - Participants will complete 4 treatment rounds in random order, each consisting of 4 consecutive days of therapy separated by 3-week breaks. These treatments are: 1) HiCO₂-AIH + tSS, 2) HiCO2-AIH + sham tSCS, 3) sham HiCO2-AIH + tSCS, and 4) sham HiCO2-AIH + sham tSCS. - Final testing of breathing function will be performed after around 15 weeks.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    General health

    Additional benefits

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 18 Aug 2025
    • Organisation
    • Thomas Jefferson University
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 18 Aug 2025
    • Organisation
    • Thomas Jefferson University

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more