Head and Neck CancerNCT01536782
Optimal Tube Feeding Method in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
A study testing Bolus, Gravity and Pump in people with Head and Neck Cancer, run by Baylor Research Institute at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the optimal tube feeding method (bolus, gravity or pump) by analyzing percent weight loss, tolerance of enteral feeds, and percent of estimated calorie and protein needs in 60 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck undergoing chemoradiation therapy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Head and Neck Cancer
- What is being tested?
- Bolus, Gravity and Pump
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 0 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Feb 2015to Feb 2017
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Males and females
- 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of SCCHN undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy (including patients who received induction therapy upfront
Who cannot join
- Patients who have a small bowel feeding tube (only tube feeding via pump is allowed in this case)
- Patients with history of gastric surgery which may have resulted in altered gastrointestinal function
- Patients with history of uncontrolled diabetes and/or gastroparesis which may interfere with gastric emptying and inability to tolerate bolus feeds
- Patients at high risk of aspiration in which case slower feeds by using gravity or pump are indicated
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75246
About this study
Official title: The Optimal Tube Feeding Method in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Comparison Between Bolus, Gravity, and Tube Feeding Pump.
The purpose of this study is to assess the optimal tube feeding method (bolus, gravity or pump) by analyzing percent weight loss, tolerance of enteral feeds, and percent of estimated calorie and protein needs in 60 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck undergoing chemoradiation therapy.
Read the detailed description
It is a great challenge to maintain the nutritional status of the head and neck cancer (HNC) patients through treatment advances such as combined chemoradiation therapy or CRT. For all these reasons, HNC patients undergoing treatment, frequently require alternate methods of nutrition support such as as enteral tube feeding via a gastrostomy tube.Upon gastric tube feeding initiation, the registered dietitian (RD) must consider the three different methods: bolus (using a syringe), gravity (using gravity feeding bags), and pump (using a tube feeding pump).
Typically, patients are started on bolus (OPTION A), changed to gravity (OPTION B) if bolus feeds are not tolerated, and ultimately changed to pump (OPTION C) if gravity feeds are not tolerated. The concern is that in this process of starting with OPTION A, and moving to OPTION B or further to OPTION C, the patient may experience unintentional weight loss and dehydration related to tube feeding intolerance and/or tube feeding inadequacy. Consequently, this places the patient at risk of, but not limited to, hospital admission for dehydration and/or malnutrition, and treatment interruption. Therefore, exploring the idea of an optimal feeding method and starting patients on it from the beginning, may improve patient outcomes in terms of nutritional status.
- Conditions
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Being tested
- Bolus, Gravity, Pump
- Keywords
- head and neck cancer, chemoradiation therapy, bolus feeding, gravity feeding, pump feeding, optimal enteral feeding method, To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing percent weigtht loss., To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing tolerance of enteral feeds., To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing percent met of estimated calories and protein.
- Medical subject headings
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
BolusProcedure or surgery
The patients will be randomized into 3 different groups: Bolus, Gravity, and Pump. The randomization process will be based on age and estimated caloric needs (i.e if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either of the groups).
Each patient from each group will be receiving tube feeding education to their by RD. For consistency reasons, the same type of tube feeding formula (1.5 kcal/ml, no fiber) will be used. Patients' weight, tube feeding tolerance, and amount of estimated calories and protein met will be monitored weekly.
GravityProcedure or surgery
The patients will be randomized into 3 different groups: Bolus, Gravity, and Pump. The randomization process will be based on age and estimated caloric needs (i.e if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either of the groups).
Each patient from each group will be receiving tube feeding education to their by RD. For consistency reasons, the same type of tube feeding formula (1.5 kcal/ml, no fiber) will be used. Patients' weight, tube feeding tolerance, and amount of estimated calories and protein met will be monitored weekly.
PumpDevice
The patients will be randomized into 3 different groups: Bolus, Gravity, and Pump. The randomization process will be based on age and estimated caloric needs (i.e if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either of the groups).
Each patient from each group will be receiving tube feeding education to their by RD. For consistency reasons, the same type of tube feeding formula (1.5 kcal/ml, no fiber) will be used. Patients' weight, tube feeding tolerance, and amount of estimated calories and protein met will be monitored weekly.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bolus | Active comparator | Upon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group. Receives: Procedure: Bolus |
| Gravity | Active comparator | Upon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group. Receives: Procedure: Gravity |
| Pump | Active comparator | Upon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group. Receives: Device: Pump |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
percent weight loss
Measured: 2 years
tolerance of enteral feedings
Measured: 2 Years
Secondary outcomes (1)
Percent met of estimated calories and proteins
Measured: 2 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Feb 2012 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2015
- Primary completionDec 2016
- Study completionFeb 2017
Why it stopped: PI left the company
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Head and Neck CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Baylor Research InstituteThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor Research Institute
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Andreea Nguyen, MS in Nutrition, Principal investigator, Baylor Health Care System
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01536782
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 012-026
- Status last verified
- May 2019
- First submitted
- 23 Jan 2012
- Last updated
- 29 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Optimal Tube Feeding Method in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Comparison Between Bolus, Gravity, and Tube Feeding Pump.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01536782
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 012-026
- Conditions
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Keywords
- head and neck cancer, chemoradiation therapy, bolus feeding, gravity feeding, pump feeding, optimal enteral feeding method, To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing percent weigtht loss., To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing tolerance of enteral feeds.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- WithdrawnReason stopped: PI left the company
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor Research InstituteUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2015
- Primary completion
- Dec 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- Feb 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Feb 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to assess the optimal tube feeding method (bolus, gravity or pump) by analyzing percent weight loss, tolerance of enteral feeds, and percent of estimated calorie and protein needs in 60 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck undergoing chemoradiation therapy.
Detailed description
It is a great challenge to maintain the nutritional status of the head and neck cancer (HNC) patients through treatment advances such as combined chemoradiation therapy or CRT. For all these reasons, HNC patients undergoing treatment, frequently require alternate methods of nutrition support such as as enteral tube feeding via a gastrostomy tube.Upon gastric tube feeding initiation, the registered dietitian (RD) must consider the three different methods: bolus (using a syringe), gravity (using gravity feeding bags), and pump (using a tube feeding pump).
Typically, patients are started on bolus (OPTION A), changed to gravity (OPTION B) if bolus feeds are not tolerated, and ultimately changed to pump (OPTION C) if gravity feeds are not tolerated. The concern is that in this process of starting with OPTION A, and moving to OPTION B or further to OPTION C, the patient may experience unintentional weight loss and dehydration related to tube feeding intolerance and/or tube feeding inadequacy. Consequently, this places the patient at risk of, but not limited to, hospital admission for dehydration and/or malnutrition, and treatment interruption. Therefore, exploring the idea of an optimal feeding method and starting patients on it from the beginning, may improve patient outcomes in terms of nutritional status.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bolus | Active comparator | Procedure: BolusUpon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group. |
| Gravity | Active comparator | Procedure: GravityUpon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group. |
| Pump | Active comparator | Device: PumpUpon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Males and females
- 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of SCCHN undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy (including patients who received induction therapy upfront
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients who have a small bowel feeding tube (only tube feeding via pump is allowed in this case)
- Patients with history of gastric surgery which may have resulted in altered gastrointestinal function
- Patients with history of uncontrolled diabetes and/or gastroparesis which may interfere with gastric emptying and inability to tolerate bolus feeds
- Patients at high risk of aspiration in which case slower feeds by using gravity or pump are indicated
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| BolusThe patients will be randomized into 3 different groups: Bolus, Gravity, and Pump. The randomization process will be based on age and estimated caloric needs (i.e if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either of the groups). Each patient from each group will be receiving tube feeding education to their by RD. For consistency reasons, the same type of tube feeding formula (1.5 kcal/ml, no fiber) will be used. Patients' weight, tube feeding tolerance, and amount of estimated calories and protein met will be monitored weekly. | Procedure or surgery | Bolus |
| GravityThe patients will be randomized into 3 different groups: Bolus, Gravity, and Pump. The randomization process will be based on age and estimated caloric needs (i.e if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either of the groups). Each patient from each group will be receiving tube feeding education to their by RD. For consistency reasons, the same type of tube feeding formula (1.5 kcal/ml, no fiber) will be used. Patients' weight, tube feeding tolerance, and amount of estimated calories and protein met will be monitored weekly. | Procedure or surgery | Gravity |
| PumpThe patients will be randomized into 3 different groups: Bolus, Gravity, and Pump. The randomization process will be based on age and estimated caloric needs (i.e if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either of the groups). Each patient from each group will be receiving tube feeding education to their by RD. For consistency reasons, the same type of tube feeding formula (1.5 kcal/ml, no fiber) will be used. Patients' weight, tube feeding tolerance, and amount of estimated calories and protein met will be monitored weekly. | Device | Pump |
Primary outcome
percent weight loss
Time frame: 2 years
tolerance of enteral feedings
Time frame: 2 Years
1 secondary outcome
Percent met of estimated calories and proteins
Time frame: 2 years
Results and safety
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Apr 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Andreea Nguyen, MS in Nutrition principal investigator
Baylor Health Care System
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Bolus, Gravity and Pump in people with Head and Neck Cancer, run by Baylor Research Institute at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
percent weight loss (time frame: 2 years). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Apr 2026.