Circadian Rhythm in Critical Illness

Launched by ATILIM UNIVERSITY · Jul 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether giving food in intervals (intermittent feeding) instead of a continuous flow can help regulate the body’s natural daily rhythms, called circadian rhythms, in patients who are very sick and staying in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers want to see if this way of feeding can improve the body’s internal clock, affect important markers related to metabolism (how the body uses energy), and help patients recover better. Right now, continuous feeding is the usual method, so the study will compare the two approaches.

People who might join this study are adults 18 years or older who are in the ICU and need to be fed through a tube in their stomach for at least 10 days. Participants will either receive intermittent or continuous feeding during this time. The study involves taking blood samples three times a day to check how the body’s internal clock and metabolism are working. Doctors and nurses will also keep track of the patient’s overall health, nutrition, and recovery during the study. This trial is not yet recruiting participants. Pregnant people, those under 18, or those with certain digestive problems won’t be eligible to join.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ICU admission for enteral feeding via a gastric tube
• • Expected ≥10 days of enteral nutrition
• • Age ≥18 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Age \<18 years
• • Pregnancy
• • Gastrointestinal surgery or diseases
• • Tolerance issues with enteral feeding
• • Parenteral feeding requirement