Motor Plasticity, Intermittent Hypoxia and Sleep Apnea

Intermittent Hypoxia (IH), Respiratory and Motor Plasticity, and Sleep Apnea in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

The purpose of this study is to learn about the effect of sleep apnea and low oxygen on muscle strength and lung function in people with chronic spinal cord injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or older,
2. Chronic (≥ 1-year post-injury), non-progressive SCI,
3. Asia Impairment Scale (AIS) C or D,
4. Resting Saturated oxygen (SaO2) ≥ 95%,
5. Cervical injury (C5-C8)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Currently hospitalized,
2. Resting heart rate ≥120 Beats per minute (BPM),
3. Resting systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg,
4. Resting diastolic Blood Pressure >100 mmHg,
5. Self-reported history of unstable angina or myocardial infarction within the previous month,
6. OSA that is being treated with positive airway pressure therapy,
7. Women who know or suspect they may be pregnant or who may become pregnant,
8. Known underlying lung disease,
9. Pregnant Women,
10. Prisoners,
11. Unable to consent