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Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

A Randomized Controlled Study to Explore the Effect of Different Feeding in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06328985
Enrollment
98
Registered
2024-03-25
Start date
2024-03-30
Completion date
2025-10-30
Last updated
2026-05-08

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

Conditions

Traumatic Brain Injury

Brief summary

This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe Traumatic Brain Injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.

Detailed description

The safe and effective nutrition support for severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy continues to be a challenge. Nasogastric tube feeding has been the mainstream choice in China but with the risk of complications. Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding is an established modality of enteral nutrition support that can be used with routine treatment. This study reports the clinical outcomes of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding vs. nasogastric tube feeding, in patients receiving routine treatment. This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.

Interventions

DEVICEIntermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding

Based on this, the patients in the observation group were given nutrition support with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (Medical Device No. 20010234, developed by the Swallowing Disorders Research Institute of Zhengzhou University). The entire feeding process strictly followed the standard procedure of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding. During the feeding process, patients were maintained in a semi-recumbent position with their head elevated, facilitating the placement of the tube into the oral cavity along one side, with the chin brought close to the manubrium sterni.

DEVICENasogastric tube feeding

The patients in the control group were provided nutrition support with Nasogastric tube feeding, while the feeding process strictly followed the relevant guideline. During the treatment, the patients remained in a continuous state of tube indwelling, receiving feeding every 2-3 hours with a maximum feeding volume of 200ml, of which the contents were consistent with the observation group. The entire feeding process was conducted by trained nursing staff. Besides, the tube was replaced by a new one every 5-7 days.

BEHAVIORALRehabilitation therapy

Including:Acupuncture: Regular acupuncture treatment that can prevent muscle atrophy, improve circulation, and have a stimulating effect. Exercise therapy: Training that focused on limb movements or joint mobilization to prevent muscle contracture, reduce joint mobility, improve spasms, and promote blood circulation. Others: Regular turning, back patting, and position changes performed by caregivers.

Sponsors

Zeng Xi
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* age ≥ 18 years, meeting the diagnosis of severe Traumatic Brain Injury, confirmed through MRI * score of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) \<8; * presence of no contraindication for enteral nutrition; * with stable vital signs and no severe liver or kidney dysfunction, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or multiple complications; * informed consent form was obtained from the patients' family members.

Exclusion criteria

* unable to cooperate in completing treatment and assessment due to personal reasons or other disorders; * complicated with other intracranial lesions, such as stroke; * with severe consciousness disorders caused by other diseases.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Concentration of hemoglobinday 1 and day 28hemoglobin was tested with blood routine test
Concentration of albuminday 1 and day 28albumin was tested with blood routine test
Concentration of prealbuminday 1 and day 28prealbumin was tested with blood routine test
body mass indexday 1 and day 28body mass index was tested with body weight and height. Combination was calculated as: body weight (kg) / height (m)\^2.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Decannulation of tracheostomy tube-placement durationday 1 and day 28The duration of tracheostomy tube retention and the outcomes of decannulation were recorded for two groups during the treatment. The criteria for tracheostomy tube removal were as follows: patients should exhibit no significant pulmonary complications (including the progressive decline in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide retention, pneumonia, etc.) during the capping trial, and should exhibit stable, regular breath and not require reintubation or tracheostomy within 72 hours after tube removal.
Decannulation of tracheostomy tube-Successful removalday 1 and day 28duration of tracheostomy tube retention and the outcomes of decannulation were recorded for two groups during the treatment. The criteria for tracheostomy tube removal were as follows: patients should exhibit no significant pulmonary complications (including the progressive decline in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide retention, pneumonia, etc.) during the capping trial, and should exhibit stable, regular breath and not require reintubation or tracheostomy within 72 hours after tube removal
Level of consciousnessday 1 and day 28The Glasgow Coma Scale was used to assess the level of consciousness in patients. A score of 15 indicates normal consciousness, a score of 13-14 indicates mild consciousness impairment, a score of 9-12 indicates moderate consciousness impairment, and a score less than 8 indicates severe consciousness impairment.
Feeding Amountday 1 and day 28total amount of nutrients consumed by the patient on the day was recorded, excluding fresh water, units: milliliters

Countries

China

Contacts

STUDY_DIRECTORXi Zeng

ZZU First Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 11, 2026