Open AccessAcute Intermittent Hypoxia as a Potential Adjuvant to Improve Walking Following Spinal Cord Injury: Evidence, Challenges, and Future Directions
Author(s) -
Andrew Q. Tan,
Stella Barth,
Randy D. Trumbower
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current physical medicine and rehabilitation reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.201
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2167-4833
DOI - 10.1007/s40141-020-00270-8
Subject(s) - medicine , spinal cord injury , physical medicine and rehabilitation , intermittent hypoxia , hypoxia (environmental) , rehabilitation , balance (ability) , physical therapy , spinal cord , anesthesia , psychiatry , chemistry , obstructive sleep apnea , organic chemistry , oxygen
The reacquisition and preservation of walking ability are highly valued goals in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Recurrent episodes of breathing low oxygen (i.e., acute intermittent hypoxia, AIH) is a potential therapy to promote walking recovery after incomplete SCI via endogenous mechanisms of neuroplasticity. Here, we report on the progress of AIH, alone or paired with other treatments, on walking recovery in persons with incomplete SCI. We evaluate the evidence of AIH as a therapy ready for clinical and home use and the real and perceived challenges that may interfere with this possibility.