Tube feeding showdown: which method helps brain injury patients recover faster?
NCT ID NCT06328985
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at 98 people with severe traumatic brain injury who needed a breathing tube. Researchers compared two ways of giving nutrition: a new method called Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (IOE) versus the standard Nasogastric Tube Feeding. They measured blood nutrient levels, weight, and how quickly patients could have their breathing tube removed over 28 days. The goal was to see if IOE leads to better nutrition and 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 Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (IOE) vs Nasogastric Tube Feeding
- What this could lead to
- If one feeding method proves better, it could lead to improved nutrition and faster recovery for severe brain injury patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study (98 people) that only looked at short-term outcomes. Results may not apply to all patients or settings.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
98 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2024
- Finished
-
Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
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.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Traumatic brain injury are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Department of rehabilitation medicine, the first ZU hospital north campus
Zhenzhou, China
-
Department of rehabilitation medicine, the first ZU hospital western campus
Zhenzhou, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can group wellness classes improve life after brain injury or dementia?
- Can a web program rebuild memory after brain injury?
- Why a simple fall can cause brain bleeding in older adults
- Bedside ultrasound could flag hidden brain injury decline
- Zapping the brain to restore lost vision
- Machine learning may forecast brain decline after head injury