Breathing low oxygen to enhance spinal stimulation training and functional recovery in persons with chronic SCI the BO2ST trial

This Project Grant award from the Department of the Army Medical Command provides $3,940,561 to fund the "Breathing Low Oxygen to Enhance Spinal Stimulation Training and Functional Recovery in Persons with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: The BO2ST Trial" project under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420). The award period is from September 30, 2022 through September 29, 2026.

The project aims to investigate the extent to which daily acute intermittent hypoxia pre-treatment may augment functional benefits of transcutaneous spinal stimulation-enhanced skilled walking practice in individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries. It will be carried out at three clinical research sites: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which receive sub-awards, and the University of Florida's Division of Sponsored Research. The study specifically aims to test the hypotheses that combining acute intermittent hypoxia with transcutaneous spinal stimulation-enhanced walking practice will elicit greater recovery of walking function compared to alternatives and require fewer treatment doses to achieve clinical benefits without adverse changes.