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Comparing CPAP and BiPAP for Sleep-Disordered Breathing in People with Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries

NCT06818604 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 32

Last updated 2025-02-10

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries, with studies suggesting prevalence rates ranging from 27% to 62%. The condition often leads to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and poor participation in rehabilitation. Positive airway pressure therapy can be used to treat the condition; however, some individuals find continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which applies the same pressure during inhalation and exhalation, difficult to use. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) offers different pressures for inhalation and exhalation, which may be more comfortable and potentially improve adherence in this patient population. However, limited evidence compares CPAP and BiPAP in individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries.

This pilot study will enroll 32 adult participants with cervical spinal cord injuries who have moderate to severe SDB (defined as an AHI of 15 events/hour or greater). Participants will be randomly assigned to either CPAP or BiPAP therapy for 4 weeks. Device usage per night will be measured, and data on daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and sleep quality will be collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. The investigators aim to determine whether BiPAP improves adherence and symptoms compared to CPAP in this patient population.

Conditions

  • Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
  • Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Cervical Spinal Cord Injruy

Interventions

DEVICE

CPAP

Participants randomized to this group will receive auto-CPAP therapy. The device will be initiated by a respiratory therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. Settings will be adjusted to achieve a device efficacy index \< 5 events per hour.

DEVICE

BiPAP

Participants will receive BiPAP S mode therapy for 4 weeks. The device will be initiated by a respiratory therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre with initial settings of IPAP 8 cmH2O and EPAP 3 cmH2O. Settings will be modified to a maximum tolerated level to achieve a tidal volume of 8 mL/kg ideal body weight and SpO2 \> 95%. Overnight oximetry will be performed to ensure at least 4 hours of device use, and settings will be adjusted to achieve a DEI \< 5 events per hour.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of British Columbia

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
19 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-08-01
Primary Completion
2026-09-01
Completion
2027-09-01

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06818604 on ClinicalTrials.gov