Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia in Upper and Lower Limb Functions in Persons With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disability with physical, social and vocational consequences. Owing to its overwhelming complications, the cost of treatment and rehabilitation increases constantly. Persons with spinal cord injury are always dependent on their families in most of house hold, recreational and activities of daily life. Majority of SCI are incomplete classification C or D as per American spinal injury Association (ASIA). Due to certain spared pathways intrinsic mechanism of neuroplasticity take place in incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) which is liable for natural recovery, but this potential is limited and often slow. Therefore there is need for some advance therapeutic interventions which may enhance neuroplasticity and improve functional recovery in individuals with iSCI. It has been reported that acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) increase neuro plasticity by causing release of spinal serotonin which stimulate serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors that undergoes a series of mechanisms which increase brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) which subsequently enhance motor functions of upper and lower limbs in iSCI. Despite of the growing body of literatures supporting that AIH improves both upper limb and lower limb functions along with walking ability and speed. However, their results are limited to small sample size, gender biased and lack of intralimbs assessment. As per the author knowledge, these literatures lack retention effects of AIH on upper and lower limb function. In addition variables like quality of life, disability and some biomarkers related to hypoxic effects have not been reported in any of these studies. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that variant geographic locations and socioeconomic status may affects persons with iSCI differently. So in light of these literature gaps, the author aim is to investigate the effects of AIH in upper and lower limb motor function, balance, quality of life and disability. In addition, the effects of AIH on brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), hemoglobin (Hb) level, numbers of RBS and hematocrits will be assessed.