A Multi-Center Clinical Trial in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury (HANDS)

July 21, 2025 updated by: Zev Rymer, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

HANDS: A Multi-Center Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

The overall objective of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of daily acute intermittent hypoxia therapy (dAIH), coupled with massed practice training, to improve upper-extremity function in individuals with chronic incomplete cervical SCI.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Specific Aim 1: Evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention utilizing dAIH and massed practice upper extremity training on arm and hand function in individuals with incomplete tetraplegia.

Specific Aim 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention utilizing dAIH therapy and robotic rehabilitation device-administered upper-extremity training on arm and hand function in persons with incomplete tetraplegia.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
121

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
        • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60141
        • Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
    • New Jersey
      • East Hanover, New Jersey, United States, 07936
        • Kessler Foundation

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion:

  1. History of a non-progressive spinal cord injury, at or below C2, and at or above T1.
  2. Between the ages of 18 - 75 years.
  3. Time since injury must be at least 6 months if the injury was traumatic in nature. If the spinal cord injury is non-traumatic, participants must meet at least the initial 6-month criteria in addition to either no regression in symptoms for at least two years, per self-report or per medical monitor discretion.
  4. Demonstrate voluntary motor activation in hand muscles, with a score of at least a 2 on at least one of the Prehension Ability grasp patterns of the GRASSP assessment (cylindrical grasp, lateral key pinch, and tip to tip pinch), on at least one upper extremity.
  5. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an informed consent.
  6. At least a 10% change in isometric elbow strength above baseline, after a single bout of Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), during screening.

Exclusion:

  1. Diagnosed with any of the following medical conditions: congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, severe asthma, previous myocardial infraction, or known carotid/intracerebral artery stenosis.
  2. Women who are currently pregnant/nursing or planning on becoming pregnant.
  3. Individuals with a tracheostomy or who utilize mechanical ventilation.
  4. Individuals who are currently enrolled in another interventional research study or in therapy related to upper extremity function.
  5. Participants will be excluded if they have had a botulinum toxin injection to upper extremity musculature within the last 3 months. Participants will need to refrain from upper extremity botulinum toxin injections for the duration of the study. If participants wean off antispasticity medications to successfully complete the responsiveness to AIH screening session, they will need to refrain from the medications for the duration of the study.
  6. Documented sleep apnea.
  7. Orthopedic injuries or surgeries that would impact an individual's ability to use the upper extremity.
  8. Traumatic brain injury or other neurological conditions that would impact the study.
  9. Blood hemoglobin levels less than 10g/dL.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Massed practice training with dAIH

Seek to address gross upper extremity movements, grip and pinch strength, and coordination.The ultimate goal of the session is to achieve a total of 300 repetitions during training.

Once fitted with the mask, initial recordings of heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) will be taken. The sequence of hypoxia will consist of 60- 90 seconds of 9-10% O2 (FiO2 0.09), alternating with 60- 90 seconds of 21% O2 (normoxic air FiO2 0.21). The delivery of hypoxia and normoxic air mixtures will be repeated up to 18 times per session each, for a total of up to 45 minutes, to maintain SpO2 at 80-90%.
Other: Acute Intermitted Hypoxia
Subjects will be fitted with a latex-free full non-rebreather mask with a custom neoprene head strap, mask and oxygen delivery system are commonly used for altitude training. The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask.
Other Names:
  • dAIG
Procedure: Massed Practise

Address gross upper extremity movements, grip and pinch strength, and coordination.

Tasks utilized may include, but are not limited to: lifting a weighted can, squeezing, cutting paper, popping bubble wrap, translating different resistance clothespins, etc. The ultimate goal of the session is to achieve a total of 300 repetitions during training. Task difficulty may be progressed (making it more difficult), if the participant is able to achieve >100 repetitions in less than 15 minutes, on two different occasions. A task may be made easier if the participant is unable to achieve 50 repetitions of a task within 15minutes. Progressing a task may include: changing the task, addition of resistance, increasing the range of motion required for a task to be deemed successful, increasing/decreasing the size of the object used. The number of total repetitions and any item progressions will be recorded.
Experimental: Massed practice training with Sham dAIH

Seek to address gross upper extremity movements, grip and pinch strength, and coordination.The ultimate goal of the session is to achieve a total of 300 repetitions during training.

Once fitted with the mask, initial recordings of heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) will be taken. The sequence of hypoxia will consist of 60- 90 seconds of 9-10% O2 (FiO2 0.09), alternating with 60- 90 seconds of 21% O2 (normoxic air FiO2 0.21). The delivery of hypoxia and normoxic air mixtures will be repeated up to 18 times per session each, for a total of up to 45 minutes, to maintain SpO2 at 80-90%.
Other: Acute Intermitted Hypoxia
Subjects will be fitted with a latex-free full non-rebreather mask with a custom neoprene head strap, mask and oxygen delivery system are commonly used for altitude training. The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask.
Other Names:
  • dAIG
Procedure: Massed Practise

Address gross upper extremity movements, grip and pinch strength, and coordination.

Tasks utilized may include, but are not limited to: lifting a weighted can, squeezing, cutting paper, popping bubble wrap, translating different resistance clothespins, etc. The ultimate goal of the session is to achieve a total of 300 repetitions during training. Task difficulty may be progressed (making it more difficult), if the participant is able to achieve >100 repetitions in less than 15 minutes, on two different occasions. A task may be made easier if the participant is unable to achieve 50 repetitions of a task within 15minutes. Progressing a task may include: changing the task, addition of resistance, increasing the range of motion required for a task to be deemed successful, increasing/decreasing the size of the object used. The number of total repetitions and any item progressions will be recorded.
Experimental: Rapael glove with dAIH

The Rapael Smart Glove is a virtual reality hand exoskeleton rehabilitation device. The tasks selected will address gross movement, hand function, and dexterity. Tasks utilized will include, but are not limited to: fly swat, throwing darts, squeezing an orange, catching a baseball, and floating fish. The number of total repetitions and activity outcomes will be recorded.

Once fitted with the mask, initial recordings of heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) will be taken. The sequence of hypoxia will consist of 60- 90 seconds of 9-10% O2 (FiO2 0.09), alternating with 60- 90 seconds of 21% O2 (normoxic air FiO2 0.21). The delivery of hypoxia and normoxic air mixtures will be repeated up to 18 times per session each, for a total of up to 45 minutes, to maintain SpO2 at 80-90%.
Other: Acute Intermitted Hypoxia
Subjects will be fitted with a latex-free full non-rebreather mask with a custom neoprene head strap, mask and oxygen delivery system are commonly used for altitude training. The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask.
Other Names:
  • dAIG
Other: Rapael Glove
The Rapael Smart Glove is a virtual reality hand exoskeleton rehabilitation device. The tasks selected will address gross movement and hand function during a 45 minute session. Additional time may be required for device set up and activity selection/modification. Tasks utilized will include, but are not limited to: fly swat, throwing darts, squeezing an orange, catching a baseball, and floating fish. Tasks will be modified based on participants' perceived fatigue and challenge levels, as determined by a rating from 0-10. The participant goal will be to maintain the task difficulty between a 5-8/10 range. This would depict a moderate to difficult task rating, but an ability to complete the task. Progressing a task may include: changing the task, addition of resistance, increasing the range of motion required for task success, and increasing the duration of contraction. The number of total repetitions and activity outcomes will be recorded.
Active Comparator: Rapael glove with Sham dAIH

The Rapael Smart Glove is a virtual reality hand exoskeleton rehabilitation device. The tasks selected will address gross movement, hand function, and dexterity. Tasks utilized will include, but are not limited to: fly swat, throwing darts, squeezing an orange, catching a baseball, and floating fish. The number of total repetitions and activity outcomes will be recorded.

Once fitted with the mask, initial recordings of heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) will be taken. The sequence of hypoxia will consist of 60- 90 seconds of 9-10% O2 (FiO2 0.09), alternating with 60- 90 seconds of 21% O2 (normoxic air FiO2 0.21). The delivery of hypoxia and normoxic air mixtures will be repeated up to 18 times per session each, for a total of up to 45 minutes, to maintain SpO2 at 80-90%.
Other: Acute Intermitted Hypoxia
Subjects will be fitted with a latex-free full non-rebreather mask with a custom neoprene head strap, mask and oxygen delivery system are commonly used for altitude training. The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask.
Other Names:
  • dAIG
Other: Rapael Glove
The Rapael Smart Glove is a virtual reality hand exoskeleton rehabilitation device. The tasks selected will address gross movement and hand function during a 45 minute session. Additional time may be required for device set up and activity selection/modification. Tasks utilized will include, but are not limited to: fly swat, throwing darts, squeezing an orange, catching a baseball, and floating fish. Tasks will be modified based on participants' perceived fatigue and challenge levels, as determined by a rating from 0-10. The participant goal will be to maintain the task difficulty between a 5-8/10 range. This would depict a moderate to difficult task rating, but an ability to complete the task. Progressing a task may include: changing the task, addition of resistance, increasing the range of motion required for task success, and increasing the duration of contraction. The number of total repetitions and activity outcomes will be recorded.
Placebo Comparator: No training with dAIH

Once fitted with the mask, initial recordings of heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) will be taken. The sequence of hypoxia will consist of 60- 90 seconds of 9-10% O2 (FiO2 0.09), alternating with 60- 90 seconds of 21% O2 (normoxic air FiO2 0.21). The delivery of hypoxia and normoxic air mixtures will be repeated up to 18 times per session each, for a total of up to 45 minutes, to maintain SpO2 at 80-90%.

Hearth rate and pulse oximetry will be continuously monitored throughout, and recording will be taken at each alteration in sequence. Blood pressure will be taken upon completion of the total sequence
Other: Acute Intermitted Hypoxia
Subjects will be fitted with a latex-free full non-rebreather mask with a custom neoprene head strap, mask and oxygen delivery system are commonly used for altitude training. The mask will first provide a normoxic air (room air) mixture (FiO2 = 0.21) via the mask.
Other Names:
  • dAIG

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
GRASSP
Time Frame: up to 3 months

The Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility and Prehension (GRASSP) is an extensive and validated impairment and functional measure which is able to detect subtle neurologic changes in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Specifically, it evaluates the domains of sensation, strength, quality of different grip patterns and the ability to complete a variety of functional tasks.
up to 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 26, 2023

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 12, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 21, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 23, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 24, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 21, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STU00206247

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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