MuScle WastIng and DysphaGia iN CriticAlly IlL Patients (SIGNAL)

Launched by BARTS & THE LONDON NHS TRUST · Jul 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how muscle loss in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in adults who are very sick and being treated in intensive care units (ICUs). When people are critically ill, their muscles can weaken quickly, and this study wants to see if that muscle loss makes it harder or unsafe for them to swallow food and liquids. Researchers will compare patients in the ICU to others who are sick but not critically ill, to better understand the link between muscle loss and swallowing difficulties.

Adults over 18 who are on a breathing machine for at least three days and expected to stay in the ICU for more than a week may be eligible to join. People who are sick but not in the ICU can also take part as a comparison group. During the study, participants will have their mouth and throat muscle size and strength measured several times, and tests will check how well and safely they can swallow. They will also be asked about their swallowing and eating experiences. This research aims to help doctors find better ways to identify and treat swallowing problems in very sick patients, supporting safer eating and faster recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults \>18 years
• • Receiving mechanical ventilation via endotracheal tube and/or tracheostomy. Expected to receive ventilation for at least 72 hours.
• • Expected to survive admission and spend more than 7 days in the intensive care unit.
• • Control participants
• • Adults \>18 years
• • Receiving ward-based care.
• • Expected to survive hospital admission. Present with a primary medical diagnosis of acute medical or surgical illness, not requiring critical care admission.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Applies to both critically ill and control participants.
• • Pregnancy
• • Patients with a diagnosis of a primary neuromuscular pathology (e.g., motor neurone disease), central nervous system disease (e.g., stroke, Guillain barre), traumatic brain injury, connective tissue disease (e.g., scleroderma), head and neck cancer, previous surgery or radiotherapy to the head and neck.