Improved Muscle Metabolism by Combination of Muscle Activation and Protein Substitution ( IMEMPRO )

Launched by TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH · Jun 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The IMEMPRO trial is studying a new approach to help critically ill patients who experience muscle weakness while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This muscle weakness, known as ICU Acquired Weakness, affects many patients and can lead to longer recovery times and worse health outcomes. The trial will involve 40 patients who need special nutritional support through a feeding tube. Half of the participants will receive a high-protein diet combined with twice-daily muscle activation treatments using a technique called neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The other half will receive standard care without these additional interventions. The goal is to see if this combination can help preserve muscle mass and improve strength and endurance more effectively than standard care alone.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be adults (18 years or older) who are newly admitted to the ICU, require mechanical ventilation, and can receive nutrition through a feeding tube. However, those with certain conditions, like a high body mass index (BMI) or previous muscle diseases, cannot participate. If a person decides to join the study, they can expect to be closely monitored and receive tailored nutritional support, along with efforts to activate their muscles early in their treatment. This research could lead to better recovery strategies for critically ill patients and help improve their overall quality of life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • critically ill adults (≥ 18 years of age)
• • newly admitted to the ICU (\<48h)
• • mechanically ventilated, expected to remain for at least 72h
• • enteral nutrition is feasible
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • a BMI \> 30
• • expected death or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments
• • prior neuromuscular disease (e.g. paresis, myopathies, neuropathies)
• • injury or disease preventing neuromuscular electrical stimulation or early mobilization (e.g., elevated intracranial pressure, unstable spine)
• • a pacemaker or other electronic implant
• • allergy to components of NMES adhesive
• • have been dependent during activities of daily living prior to the hospital admission
• • a language barrier