ICU cycling and amino acid combo may fight muscle loss

NCT ID NCT04099108

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of Stellenbosch Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether giving critically ill patients a 4-hour intravenous amino acid drip combined with 45 minutes of in-bed cycling could prevent muscle loss during their first week in the ICU. Half of the 50 participants received the combo treatment, while the other half got standard care. The goal was to see if this approach helps maintain muscle mass and strength.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: intravenous amino acid supplement combined with in-bed cycling
What this could lead to: If it works, this approach could help critically ill patients preserve muscle strength and recover faster from their ICU stay.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to all ICU patients. The intervention is complex and may be hard to deliver in routine care.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Critical Illness

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CRITICAL ILLNESS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Tygerberg Hospital

Cape Town, Western Cape, 7505, South Africa

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