Impact of nasogastric tubes on swallowing physiology in older healthy volunteers: A randomised controlled trial

Older healthy volunteers and the impact of nasogastric tube presence or absence on swallowing physiology

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12613000577718

Enrollment

Registered

2013-05-22

Start date

2012-02-25

Completion date

2012-05-05

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

A nasogastric tube (NGT) may be inserted into the nostril and passed down through the pharynx (throat) to the stomach to feed patients who are unable to swallow or are unable to eat and drink adequate amounts. If a patient starts or continues eating with a NGT in place, clinical experience suggests the presence of a NGT within the pharynx may in fact interfere with swallowing and hinder a patient’s return to oral intake. Changes in swallowing due to NGT presence have been shown in young volunteers, but not investigated in older individuals. With increasing age we get changes to the normal swallow. As a large proportion of patients requiring NGT feeding are elderly it is important to understand what impact, if any, a NGT might have on an ageing swallow. The aims for this study were to determine what effects, if any, fine-bore and/or wide-bore NGTs have on: (1) airway penetration-aspiration, (2) pharyngeal residue, and (3) duration of pharyngeal transit in older healthy adults.

Interventions

Volunteers are required to undergo three modified barium swallow (MBS) studies in one day of testing. During each MBS volunteers will swallow: - 3 sips of liquid & barium sulphate (ratio 2:1) - 100ml serial swallows of liquid & barium (ratio 2:1) - 3x15ml puree fruit & barium (ratio 3:1) - 3x15ml diced fruit & barium (ratio 3:1) Each MBS will be assigned a different study condition: - control (no nasogastric tube) - experimental (fine bore nasogastric tube insitu) - experimental (wide bore nasogastric tube insitu) Radiological screening time for each MBS will be 2-3 mins. Skin fluoro time and skin effective dose data will be collected and monitored to ensure total effective dose does not exceed 2 milliseverts as per ethics protocol. There will be a minimum 30 minute break between the control and first experimental condition, and minimum 60 minutes between the first and second experimental conditions.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Crossover

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

60 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Healthy volunteers aged 60 years and over

Exclusion criteria

Previous medical history associated with swallowing dysfunction: including disease, illness or injury affecting the central nervous system; surgery or treatment to structures of the head, neck and digestive tract; any medications known to interfere with swallowing.

Outcome results