Tiny study aims to unlock mystery of ICU muscle wasting

NCT ID NCT03810768

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study is looking at why some patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) develop severe muscle weakness after surgery. Researchers will take blood and small muscle samples from 20 high-risk patients to look for chemical changes that might cause or signal this weakness. The goal is not to test a treatment, but to better understand the problem so that future studies can work on preventing or treating it.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help identify early markers or causes of ICU-acquired muscle weakness, pointing toward future prevention or treatment strategies.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study (20 participants) focused on observation, not treatment. It may not lead to any direct clinical benefit and findings may not apply to all ICU patients.

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute quadriplegic myopathy Critical Illness critical illness polyneuropathy metabolic disease muscle tissue disorder Muscle Weakness polyneuropathy

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

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

Locations

  • Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

    ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

    Berlin, State of Berlin, 10117, Germany

  • Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich

    ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

    Munich, Bavaria, 81675, Germany

  • Medical University of Vienna

    RECRUITING

    Vienna, State of Vienna, 1090, Austria

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

    Contact

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