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Clinical Trials/NCT05326633
NCT05326633
Not yet recruiting
Early Phase 1

Effect of Protein, Mobility Therapy and Electric Stimulation on Recovery in Older Survivors of Critical Illness

University of Maryland, Baltimore1 site in 1 country78 target enrollmentDecember 1, 2025

Overview

Phase
Early Phase 1
Intervention
Not specified
Conditions
Critical Illness
Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Enrollment
78
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Change in Muscle mass
Status
Not yet recruiting
Last Updated
9 months ago

Overview

Brief Summary

Older ICU survivors with ICU acquired weakness (ICUAW) are malnourished, sarcopenic, and functionally debilitated as a consequence of the high burden of comorbidities common in the elderly. To address the sequalae of critical illnesses, the investigators will perform a trial incorporating an intervention that combines mobility-based physical rehabilitation (MRP), high protein supplementation (HPRO), and neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES). The investigators will then assess both clinical and functional outcomes and determine the relationship of disability with systemic inflammation.

Detailed Description

Annually, nearly 3 million patients ≥ 65 years old are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) nationwide, 20% of whom experience a long, protracted ICU stay resulting in muscle deconditioning, atrophy, inflammation, and functional disability necessitating transfer from the ICU to a long term acute care hospitals (LTACH). In the LTACH exacerbations of chronic comorbidities and the cycle of prolonged bed rest, ongoing inflammation and malnutrition often leads to continued functional disability, immobility, prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased one-year mortality of up to 25%. After a patient has survived critical illness and is transferred to an LTACH facility, one of the major challenges of their continued care is how to address - and ameliorate - their profound physical and functional deficits. To address these sequalae of chronic critical illness, the investigators will perform a trial incorporating an intervention that combines mobility-based physical rehabilitation (MRP), high protein supplementation (HPRO) and neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) to assess both clinical and functional outcomes and to determine the relationship of disability with systemic inflammation. The investigators will prospectively randomize patient to receive our multicomponent intervention or usual care and assess the outcomes of functional mobility, change in muscle mass and discharge disposition. Additionally, the investigators will determine the effects of our intervention on inflammatory cytokine profiles to determine to what degree systemic inflammation mediates clinical recovery.

Registry
clinicaltrials.gov
Start Date
December 1, 2025
End Date
May 30, 2027
Last Updated
9 months ago
Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Parallel
Sex
All

Investigators

Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Avelino Verceles

Associate Professor

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • LTACH admission within 72 hours
  • Age ≥ 60 years old
  • Prior ICU stay ≥ 2 weeks
  • Able to follow commands in English
  • Pre-ICU Barthel Index ≥ 70
  • Able to give consent
  • Able to perform physical therapy
  • All four limbs intact and mobile prior to LTACH admission

Exclusion Criteria

  • Acute kidney injury with a glomerular filtration rate \<15 ml/min
  • Diagnosis of severe organ dysfunction including end stage liver disease or cirrhosis
  • Diagnosis of active cancer
  • Severe functional impairment or physical impairment to rehabilitation
  • Liver function tests \>2.5x normal limits
  • Chronic dementia or cognitive impairment

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Muscle mass

Time Frame: Days 0 to 14 to 28

Muscle mass will be measured by lower extremity muscle CT scans to calculate muscle volume and cross sectional area.

Change in Muscle strength

Time Frame: Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28

Handgrip strength obtained using a hand grip dynamometer and manual muscle testing using hand held dynamometer

Change in Systemic Inflammation

Time Frame: Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28

Quantitative analysis of CRP, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8.

Secondary Outcomes

  • Discharge disposition (LTACH to home, nursing home, acute rehabilitation, readmission, or death)(up to or after Day 28)
  • Change in Functional status - FSS-ICU(Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28)
  • Change in Mobility status - 6 minute walk distance(Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28)
  • Change in Mobility status - ICU mobility Scale(Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28)
  • Change in Mobility status - gait speed(Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28)
  • Change in Functional status - SPPB(Days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28)

Study Sites (1)

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