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Effect of Protein, Mobility Therapy and Electric Stimulation on Recovery in Older ICU Survivors

Effect of Protein, Mobility Therapy and Electric Stimulation on Recovery in Older Survivors of Critical Illness

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05326633
Acronym
ProMoTE
Enrollment
78
Registered
2022-04-13
Start date
2027-03-01
Completion date
2029-10-30
Last updated
2026-05-06

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

Conditions

Critical Illness, ICU Acquired Weakness, Sarcopenia

Keywords

ICU Acquired Weakness, Critical Care, Long Term Acute Care Hospital, Protein, Neuromuscular electric stimulation, Physical Rehabilitation, Geriatric population

Brief summary

Older ICU survivors with ICU acquired weakness (ICUAW) are malnourished, sarcopenic, and functionally debilitated as a consequence of the high burden of comorbidities common in the elderly. To address the sequalae of critical illnesses, the investigators will perform a trial incorporating an intervention that combines mobility-based physical rehabilitation (MRP), high protein supplementation (HPRO), and neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES). The investigators will then assess both clinical and functional outcomes and determine the relationship of disability with systemic inflammation.

Detailed description

Annually, nearly 3 million patients ≥ 65 years old are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) nationwide, 20% of whom experience a long, protracted ICU stay resulting in muscle deconditioning, atrophy, inflammation, and functional disability necessitating transfer from the ICU to a long term acute care hospitals (LTACH). In the LTACH exacerbations of chronic comorbidities and the cycle of prolonged bed rest, ongoing inflammation and malnutrition often leads to continued functional disability, immobility, prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased one-year mortality of up to 25%. After a patient has survived critical illness and is transferred to an LTACH facility, one of the major challenges of their continued care is how to address - and ameliorate - their profound physical and functional deficits. To address these sequalae of chronic critical illness, the investigators will perform a trial incorporating an intervention that combines mobility-based physical rehabilitation (MRP), high protein supplementation (HPRO) and neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) to assess both clinical and functional outcomes and to determine the relationship of disability with systemic inflammation. The investigators will prospectively randomize patient to receive our multicomponent intervention or usual care and assess the outcomes of functional mobility, change in muscle mass and discharge disposition. Additionally, the investigators will determine the effects of our intervention on inflammatory cytokine profiles to determine to what degree systemic inflammation mediates clinical recovery.

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCTMRP and High Protein Supplement (HPRO) and Neuromuscular Electric Stimulation (NMES)

Mobility-based physical rehabilitation sessions performed 5 times/week by a study PT to provide strength and cardiopulmonary endurance training. High whey protein shakes prescribed to a total intake of 1.6-1.8 g/kg/d in 2 divided doses based on caloric needs. 2 x 30-minute lower extremity electric stimulation sessions/day, 5 times/wk performed by study PT.

Sponsors

University of Maryland, Baltimore
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. LTACH admission within 72 hours 2. Age ≥ 60 years old 3. Prior ICU stay ≥ 2 weeks 4. Able to follow commands in English 5. Pre-ICU Barthel Index ≥ 70 6. Able to give consent 7. Able to perform physical therapy 8. All four limbs intact and mobile prior to LTACH admission

Exclusion criteria

1. Acute kidney injury with a glomerular filtration rate \<15 ml/min 2. Diagnosis of severe organ dysfunction including end stage liver disease or cirrhosis 3. Diagnosis of active cancer 4. Severe functional impairment or physical impairment to rehabilitation 5. Liver function tests \>2.5x normal limits 6. Chronic dementia or cognitive impairment

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Muscle massDays 0 to 14 to 28Muscle mass will be measured by lower extremity muscle CT scans to calculate muscle volume and cross sectional area.
Change in Muscle strengthDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Handgrip strength obtained using a hand grip dynamometer and manual muscle testing using hand held dynamometer
Change in Systemic InflammationDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Quantitative analysis of CRP, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Functional status - SPPBDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Functional status will be assessed by using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Change in Functional status - FSS-ICUDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Functional status will be assessed by using the Functional Status Score in the ICU (FSS-ICU).
Change in Mobility status - ICU mobility ScaleDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Mobility status will be assessed weekly using the 1-item ICU Mobility Scale weekly in those physically capable.
Change in Mobility status - 6 minute walk distanceDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Mobility status will be assessed weekly using the total 6 Minute Walk distance in those physically capable.
Change in Mobility status - gait speedDays 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28Mobility status will be assessed weekly using gait speed in those physically capable.
Discharge disposition (LTACH to home, nursing home, acute rehabilitation, readmission, or death)up to or after Day 28Discharge disposition from the LTACH to home, nursing home, acute rehabilitation, readmission, or death)

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTAvelino C Verceles, M.D., M.S.
avercele@medicine.umaryland.edu410-328-8141

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 7, 2026