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Intermittent Hypoxia in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Intermittent Hypoxia Initiated Motor Plasticity in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Mentioned in the study description

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Mentioned in the study description
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests how breathing low-oxygen air for less than 1 minute at a time may improve strength in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This is called acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH). Researchers will measure brain activity and ankle strength before and after AIH in adults with relapsing forms of MS.

This study aims to understand the mechanisms of a novel intervention involving breathing short durations of low levels of oxygen for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). This intervention with low levels of oxygen is called Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), the levels of oxygen experienced are similar to breathing the air on a tall mountain, for less than 1 minute at a time. Previous studies have shown that AIH is a safe and effective way to increase strength in persons with MS. Here the investigators aim to look at brain activation and ankle strength before and after AIH to gain a better understanding of how the AIH may improve strength in those persons with MS.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Have a relapsing form of MS, including relapsing-remitting MS or secondary-progressive MS.
  • Have a score from 3 to 6.5 on the EDSS, a scale that measures disability from MS.
  • Have a score from 2 to 4 on the Motor FSS, a scale that measures movement problems.
  • Have had no MS relapse, or flare-up, for at least 1 year.
  • Be 18 to 75 years old.
  • Be able to safely have an MRI scan, based on a safety questionnaire.
  • If taking dalfampridine, have taken the same daily dose for at least 2 months before screening.

Who can't join

  • The first MRI shows active MS damage or signs of a recent problem with blood flow in the brain.
  • Have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • Have a history of epilepsy, a condition that causes seizures.
  • Have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term lung disease that makes breathing hard.
  • Have uncontrolled sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop and start during sleep.
  • Are pregnant.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnoses of relapsing form of MS (including relapsing-remitting MS and secondary-progressive MS) * Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of at least 3 and no more than 6.5 * Motor Functional System Scale (FSS) between 2-4 * Relapse free for at least 1 year * Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years * Safe to be scanned based on MRI questionnaire * Participants using dalfampridine will be eligible if taking the same daily dose for at least 2 months prior to screening Exclusion Criteria: * Active contrast-enhancing MS lesions, or diffusion positive lesions suggestive of acute cerebrovascular disease on baseline MRI scan * Uncontrolled hypertension (Systolic between 85 and 140, diastolic between 90 and 55) * History of epilepsy * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * Uncontrolled Sleep apnea * Pregnancy

Study sites (1)

IL