ICU muscle loss linked to swallowing problems in new study
NCT ID NCT07076524
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in adults who are critically ill and in the intensive care unit. Researchers will measure muscle size and strength, and test swallowing safety at several points during the hospital stay. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose and treat swallowing problems, helping patients eat and drink safely and recover faster. The study involves 160 participants, including both ICU patients and non-critically ill patients for comparison.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 160 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Critically ill patients and non-critically ill patients
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Adults \>18 years * Receiving mechanical ventilation via endotracheal tube and/or tracheostomy. Expected to receive ventilation for at least 72 hours. * Expected to survive admission and spend more than 7 days in the intensive care unit. Control participants * Adults \>18 years * Receiving ward-based care. * Expected to survive hospital admission. Present with a primary medical diagnosis of acute medical or surgical illness, not requiring critical care admission. Exclusion Criteria: Applies to both critically ill and control participants. * Pregnancy * Patients with a diagnosis of a primary neuromuscular pathology (e.g., motor neurone disease), central nervous system disease (e.g., stroke, Guillain barre), traumatic brain injury, connective tissue disease (e.g., scleroderma), head and neck cancer, previous surgery or radiotherapy to the head and neck.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Royal London Hospital
RECRUITINGLondon, E1 1FR, United Kingdom
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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