MuScle WastIng and DysphaGia iN CriticAlly IlL Patients (SIGNAL)

Sponsor
Barts & The London NHS Trust
Study ID
NCT07076524
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Critical Illness
  • Dysphagia
  • Muscle Wasting in Critically Ill
  • Swallowing Disorders

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Study Details

The goal of this study is to find out how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing (dysphagia) in adults who are critically ill and being treated in intensive care units. The main aims of this research study are to understand: how much and how quickly the oral and suprahyoid muscles waste in critically ill participants, and whether muscle wasting causes problems with swallowing. The investigators will compare critically ill participants with non-critically ill participants to determine if muscle wasting is linked to swallowing problems. In this study, participants will have the size and strength of their mouth and throat muscles measured at four different times during their critical care admission and hospital stay. Tests will also be performed to check how well and how safely participants can swallow. Tongue strength will be measured, and participants will answer questions about their experience with swallowing and eating using patient-reported outcome measures. This study may help identify better ways to diagnose and treat swallowing problems in people who are critically ill, to support safe eating and drinking and promote faster recovery.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 22, 2025
Start date
Aug 1, 2025
Status verified
Nov 2025
Primary completion
Jan 31, 2028
Completion
Jan 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
160 participants (estimated)

Primary Outcome Measure

Measure the extent and rate of muscle wasting [ Time Frame: Day 1, 3, 7 and 10 of intensive care unit admission ]

Related Studies