Investigating the effect of therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia on upper limb and respiratory function in people more than one year post spinal cord injury: The AERO-SCI trial
A spinal cord injury (SCI) results in disruption of the neural connections between the brain and spinal cord causing muscle paralysis and loss of sensation below the injury. Therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) is currently an emerging topic in the SCI research field because of its potential to restore function to muscles paralysed after SCI through 'neuroplasticity'. This means the therapy changes the way the brain and spinal cord connect to improve muscle function.
Treatment with AIH involves breathing air with an oxygen content equivalent to standing on top of a mountain at 6000 m (20,000 ft) altitude. It is safe to do this as the low oxygen air is breathed for short periods at a time (i.e. 1 minute) and is alternated with a short period (i.e. 1 minute) of breathing "normal" air (i.e. level of oxygen the same as sea level). In many previous studies of the breathing muscles in animals with SCI and some studies in limb muscles in humans with SCI, it has been shown that just one 30-minute session of therapeutic AIH can boost the function of previously paralysed and partially paralysed muscles for more than an hour. This study aims to understand the mechanisms of action of this therapy in people with SCI so that we will be able to identify the best way forward to target, tailor and apply this treatment clinically for people with both chronic and acute SCI.
Assessing the effect of therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia protocols on upper limb and respiratory function in people with chronic spinal cord injury: a Bayesian Optimal Phase II Design trial
Respiratory > Sleep in Spinal Cord Injury
Consider making a donation to help us learn more about sleep in spinal cord injury and other disorders. You can make an important contribution to the work of our research teams through a financial donation.
Motor neurone disease (MND) causes the body's muscles to weaken. Breathing muscle weakness means that most people affected by MND will eventually lose the ability to take a deep breath and cough strongly....
RESPIRATORY BIOMARKERS IN MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
The inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that breathing...
PERTH HIGHLIGHTS: TSANZSRS 2026
A huge congratulations to all our team members who participated in the excellent workshops and meetings at the TSANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth in March 2026!
BETTER SLEEP, BETTER LIFE TIPS
For World Sleep Day, Dr. Amy Jordan joined the "Get Cereal" panelists Sam and Matilda to share top tips for better sleep, discussing the vital importance of sleep health and hygiene in a podcast interview.
Kudos to Dr. Lauren Booker & Dr. Jen Cori on their JOEM publication examining fatigue detection alarms in rural truck drivers. Their study explores the alarms' effectiveness, accuracy, and habituation, offering key insights into fatigue management.
HONORING EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Congratulations to Prof. Anne Holland and A/Prof. Narelle Cox for being featured in the NHMRC's 10 of the Best - 16th Edition. Their work exemplifies groundbreaking research delivering extraordinary outcomes.
© 2026 Institute for Breathing and Sleep. All Rights Reserved. ABN 39 093 685 879
Powered by Helmut Design | Manage
