CompletedNot Applicable

Intermittent Hypoxia and Balance Control

United States3 participantsStarted 2022-09-01

Plain-language summary

This study aims to determine the effect of acute mild intermittent hypoxia on ankle plantarflexor muscle output during balance regulation and walking in younger and older adults. Fifteen younger adults and 15 older adults will be recruited to participate in the cross-over design study that requires 2 visits (at least 1-week apart). Participants will be pseudo-randomly assigned to receive either intermittent hypoxia or sham during the first visit, and then switch over to receive sham or intermittent hypoxia during the 2nd visit. Muscle activation patterns and kinetic and kinematics during standing and walking will be recorded before and after the intermittent hypoxia/sham. It is hypothesized that compared to the sham condition, both younger and older participants will show greater increases in ankle plantarflexor muscle activation during gait and balance assessments following intermittent hypoxia.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: \- Able to stand and walk for more than 5 minutes without assistance. Exclusion Criteria: * Have high blood pressure (above 130/90 mmHg) * Are smokers * Are pregnant * Have body mass index more than 35 kg/m2 * Have a history of falls in the past 6 months * Have a history of neuromuscular deficits that may affect gait * Have a history of cardiovascular disease * Have a history of diabetes or lung disease * Are taking medication affecting the cardiovascular system

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Soleus muscle activation pattern

Timeframe: pre (2o minutes before) and post (20 minutes after) intermittent hypoxia or sham session

Ankle plantarflexion torque

Timeframe: pre (20 minutes before) and post (20 minutes after) intermittent hypoxia or sham session

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05463042

SponsorUniversity of Texas at Austin

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-08-21

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Intermittent Hypoxia trials