Summary
This multicentre randomised controlled trial (2020) evaluated whether intermittent enteral feeding could better preserve skeletal muscle mass compared with continuous feeding in critically ill patients across UK intensive care units. Skeletal muscle wasting is a significant comorbidity in critical care recovery, and the study addresses whether feeding pattern optimisation—rather than total nutritional load alone—might mitigate this loss. The findings contribute to the evidence base for personalised nutritional support protocols in intensive care medicine.
Regional applicability
The trial was conducted across UK critical care centres, making its findings directly applicable to NHS intensive care practice and nutritional guidelines for mechanically ventilated patients. Results may inform protocols for enteral nutrition delivery in UK hospitals managing critically ill populations.
Key measures
Skeletal muscle mass (likely measured by ultrasound or computed tomography), muscle protein turnover, functional measures of muscle strength, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay in critical care
Outcomes reported
The study compared intermittent versus continuous enteral feeding schedules on skeletal muscle mass and function in critically ill patients. The primary outcome was skeletal muscle wasting; secondary outcomes likely included markers of muscle protein synthesis, functional recovery, and clinical outcomes during intensive care.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.