Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Malnutrition in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Patients

Launched by SHANGHAI ZHONGSHAN HOSPITAL · Jun 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how poor sleep affects nutrition in adults staying in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Patients in the ICU often don’t sleep well, and this study aims to understand if and how this sleep loss might contribute to malnutrition—a condition where the body doesn’t get the right amount of nutrients it needs to heal and stay strong. Researchers will carefully monitor patients’ sleep quality using special tests that track brain activity and other body functions during sleep. They will also assess nutritional health through blood tests, body measurements, and nutrition risk screenings, while keeping an eye on vital signs and possible complications like infections.

Adults aged 18 and older who are expected to stay in the ICU for at least five days may be eligible to join, as long as they don’t have severe liver or kidney problems or existing serious malnutrition when admitted. Participants can expect regular sleep monitoring, blood draws, and body measurements during their ICU stay. This study hopes to find ways to better support ICU patients by improving sleep and nutrition, which are both important for recovery. The results could help doctors provide better care and improve patients’ chances of getting well.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult ICU patients (≥18 years)
• • Expected length of stay ≥5 days
• • No severe liver or kidney failure (to avoid confounding in nutritional metabolism)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pre-existing malnutrition upon admission (e.g., BMI \<18.5 or weight loss \>10% within 6 months)
• • Neuromuscular diseases affecting metabolic assessment