Heat Application on Gastrointestinal System Functions

Launched by TC ERCIYES UNIVERSITY · Jan 25, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether applying heat to the abdomen and lower back can help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal system in patients who are receiving enteral nutrition, which is a way to provide food directly into the stomach through a tube. Many patients on this type of nutrition can experience complications like nausea, constipation, or abdominal pain. While medications are often used to help, they can come with side effects. This study seeks to find out if using a hot water bag can be a safe and effective alternative to help ease these symptoms.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be adults aged 18 and older who are in the intensive care unit and receiving enteral nutrition for the first time. They should not have any recent abdominal surgeries or wounds and must not be taking certain medications that could interfere with the study. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the trial, and the goal is to see if heat application can make their experience with enteral nutrition more comfortable. This trial is not yet recruiting, so interested individuals will need to wait for updates on when enrollment will begin.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Intensive care unit patients
• • Individuals aged 18 and above
• • Patients receiving enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube
• • Patients on the first day of enteral nutrition
• • Those receiving standard enteral nutrition solution
• • Patients without wounds in the abdominal region
• • Individuals who have not undergone abdominal surgery in the last 6 months
• • Patients not undergoing radiation/chemotherapy
• • Those with a high-output fistula without ileus problems
• • Patients without diarrhea and constipation
• • Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GKS) \> 3
• • Those with an APACHE II score \> 16
• • Patients not taking prokinetic agents
• • Patients not taking laxative medications
• • Patients without any contraindications for the application of heat, such as neuropathy (to be determined in consultation with the primary doctor).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients in whom enteral nutrition is discontinued during the study
• • Patients transitioning to a product other than the standard one in enteral nutrition
• • Patients who temporarily pause enteral nutrition
• • Patients who have started prokinetic agents
• • The study will be terminated in patients who have started taking laxative medications.