Improving 24-hour Blood Pressure Stability in Spinal Cord Injury With Low Oxygen Therapy

Summary

This study examines the effects of low oxygen therapy (LOT) on the stability of 24-hour blood pressure in persons with chronic cervical spinal cord injury. This study will examine if brief episodes of breathing lower oxygen, termed low oxygen therapy (LOT), which has been shown to enhance autonomic nervous system activity, can improve blood pressure stability in individuals with spinal cord injury. The research team will assess 24-hour blood pressure, as well as cardiac, vascular, and autonomic function before and after a 4-day LOT treatment intervention. This study will advance current understanding of treatments to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk in people with spinal cord injuries.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Are between the ages of 19-65
* Living with a chronic cervical (at or above T1) spinal cord injury of at least one year
* Are fluent in english

Exclusion Criteria:

* High-cervical injuries requiring ventilator assistance to breathe will be excluded on account of the necessity of the facemask for the delivery of hypoxia
* Unhealed fracture, contracture, or pressure sore that might interfere with participants' ability to complete the protocol
* Additional concurrent neurological conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, stroke or brain injury)
* Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
* Severe neuropathic pain
* Severe recurrent autonomic dysreflexia
* History of seizure disorders
* Known pregnancy

Conditions2

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