Investigating the Effects of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia on Neuroplasticity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

NCT06390930 NA RECRUITING

This study seeks to explore changes in the neural pathways and arm function following a breathing intervention in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population. The breathing intervention, known as Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), involves breathing brief bouts of low levels of oxygen. Research has found AIH to be a safe and effective intervention resulting in increased ankle strength in people with MS. Here, the study examines arm and hand function before and after AIH. In order to better understand the brain and spinal cord response to AIH, the investigators will measure muscle response, and signals sent from the brain to the arm muscles before and after AIH.

Details

Lead sponsor	Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Phase	NA
Status	RECRUITING
Enrolment	22
Start date	2025-02-01
Completion	2027-07

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
• Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive

Interventions

• Acute Intermittent Hypoxia
• Sham Acute Intermittent Hypoxia

Primary outcomes

• Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) in First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) — Immediately before, immediately after, and 60 minutes after the intervention.
  The MEPs will be elicited by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
• Changes in Spinal Reflex Threshold — Immediately before the intervention and immediately after the intervention.
  Spinal reflect threshold will be measured by calculating the average change in threshold length recorded from the biceps tendon's indentation. A linear motor will be used to impose precise tendon indentations of the biceps brachii.
• Threshold For Detecting Passive Joint Movement — Immediately before the intervention and immediately after the intervention.
  An assisted movement with enhanced sensation (AMES) will be used to rotate the participant's joint. The difference between the reference and matching joint angles is used to measure joint position sense. The investigators will present three target positions, and subjects will perform ipsilateral matching for each target 5 times.
• Accuracy of Direction Estimation of Passive Joint Movement — Immediately before the intervention and immediately after the intervention.
  An AMES will be used to rotate the participant's joint. The difference between the reference and matching joint angles is used to measure joint position sense. The investigators will present three target positions, and subjects will perform ipsilateral matching for each target 5 times.

Countries

United States