ICU feeding showdown: continuous vs intermittent – which is better for recovery?

NCT ID NCT07173504

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether giving tube feeding in four daytime portions (intermittent) is better than the standard 24-hour continuous drip for critically ill patients in the ICU. Researchers will track blood sugar control, gut function, sleep quality, and muscle loss in 124 adults over up to 5 days. The goal is to find a feeding pattern that improves metabolic health without harming recovery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

intermittent enteral nutrition (tube feeding given in four 1-hour daytime portions)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a better feeding schedule for ICU patients, potentially improving blood sugar control and recovery.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study (124 people) looking at short-term effects over only 5 days. Results may not apply to all ICU patients or lead to clear changes in care.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CRITICAL ILLNESS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Deventer Ziekenhuis

    RECRUITING

    Deventer, Overijssel, 7416 SE, Netherlands

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Gelderse Vallei Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Ede, Gelderland, 6716 RP, Netherlands

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Haga Ziekenhuis

    RECRUITING

    The Hague, South Holland, 2545 AA, Netherlands

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Martini Ziekenhuis

    RECRUITING

    Groningen, Provincie Groningen, 9728NT, Netherlands

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Medisch Spectrum Twente

    RECRUITING

    Enschede, Overijssel, 7512KZ, Netherlands

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••