RecruitingNot Applicable

The Effect of Muscle Stimulation and Amino Acid Intake on Protein Metabolism During Critical Illness

Netherlands30 participantsStarted 2026-04-18

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to study how whole-body electrical stimulation combined with amino acid intake affects muscle health in ventilated ICU patients. The main questions to answer are: * Does electrostimulation improve the balance of muscle protein in ICU patients? * Does combining electrostimulation with amino acid help build muscle and prevent muscle loss? Researchers will compare three groups of patients: 1. Sham electrostimulation (no current applied) + the standard nutrition 2. Electrostimulation + the standard nutrition 3. Electrostimulation + a 20g amino acid bolus Participants will: * Receive either real or sham electrostimulation * Get their standard nutrition or a 20g amino acid bolus * Have marked amino acids given through an IV * Have blood samples taken to measure the amino acids and glucose in the blood * Undergo ultrasound of the upper arm to measure the blood flow

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged ≥18 years * Expected to need mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours, judged by physician * Expected to reach a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score of -4 or -5 (complete sedation), judged by physician * Informed consent obtained from the next-of-kin * Able to or are receiving gastric tube feeding * Have an arterial and a venous line in situ Exclusion Criteria: * Spinal cord injury * Previous surgery/local wounds that prohibit whole-body NMES * Conditions that prohibit NMES (such open wounds) * Chronic neuromuscular disorders (such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)) * Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) II and III * Undergoing continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) * Rhabdomyolysis * Neuromuscular blocking agents * In the caloric restriction period of refeeding syndrome * In prone position * Burn wounds * ICD/pacemaker * Pregnant * Deemed not suitable to participate based upon the judgement of the treating intensivist

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Whole-body protein net balance (WPNB)

Timeframe: 7.5 hours

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07430969

SponsorWageningen University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12

Contact for this trial

Marlou Dirks, PhD

+31 317 480 100 marlou.dirks@wur.nl

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Muscle Wasting in Critically Ill trials