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Muscle WeaknessSTIMIT-IINCT05238753

Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Phrenic Nerve in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Patients (STIMIT-II)

A study testing Non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation in people with Muscle Weakness and Critical Illness, run by Charite University, Berlin, Germany at 1 site in Germany.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is a common issue in critically ill patients. Muscle stimulation has shown to have beneficial effects in muscle groups on the extremities. A non-invasive way to stimulate the diaphragm would be the electromagnetic stimulation but it is currently unclear if that is feasible. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
10 participants
Where
1 siteGermany
Study dates
21 Jan 2022to 15 May 2022
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

  • Patients between 18 and 60 years old, hospitalized in ICU
  • Mechanical ventilation < 36 h
  • Prone to stay ventilated > 72 h

Who cannot join

  • Known neurological condition affecting motor neuron or muscle (e.g. ALS)
  • Known paralysis of the phrenic nerve
  • Proven or suspected spinal cord injury that contraindicates weight bearing on the spinal cord
  • Conditions that limit diaphragm movement (high intra-abdominal pressure, ascites, obesity)
  • Not able to read and understand the national language German
  • Patients with Implanted cardiac support systems (pacemaker, implanted defibrillator)
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Patients with implanted medical pumps
  • Pregnant patients
  • Patients with skin lesions, infections or strictures in throat/neck area
  • Patients with metallic implants

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Germany1 site
  • Charité - Univiversitätsmedizin Berlin

    Berlin, 10117

Other trials in Germany

About this study

Official title: Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Phrenic Nerve to Generate Contraction of the Diaphragm in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Patients - a Proof-of-concept Study (STIMIT-II)

Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is a common issue in critically ill patients. Muscle stimulation has shown to have beneficial effects in muscle groups on the extremities. A non-invasive way to stimulate the diaphragm would be the electromagnetic stimulation but it is currently unclear if that is feasible.

In this proof-of-concept trial the primary aim is to show that it is possible to induce a diaphragmatic contraction in critically ill ICU patients via an external electromagnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve, leading to an inspiration (i) with a sufficient tidal volume (3-6 ml/kg ideal body weight) and (ii) with verifiable muscular diaphragmatic contraction through ultrasound imaging.

Read the detailed description

During the time of first spontaneous breathing trial 60% of mechanically ventilated patients present with diaphragmatic weakness or also know as ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). The damage to the diaphragm in terms of muscle atrophy has been shown as early as 12 hours after initiation of mechanical ventilation. Recently, a correlation between diaphragmatic atrophy and mortality could be established.

Induction of diaphragmatic contractions via stimulation of the phrenic nerve would be a possible method to prevent or treat VIDD. A possible modality would be the non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation but feasibility has not been established.

In this proof-of-concept trial the primary aim is to show that it is possible to induce a diaphragmatic contraction in critically ill ICU patients via an external electromagnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve, leading to an inspiration (i) with a sufficient tidal volume (3-6 ml/kg ideal body weight) and (ii) with verifiable muscular diaphragmatic contraction through ultrasound imaging.

Being tested
Non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation
Keywords
VIDD, ICUAW, Muscle Weakness, Weaning
Medical subject headings
Muscle Weakness, Critical Illness

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Non-invasive electromagnetic stimulationDevice

    Non-invasive bilateral electromagnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve

Study groups in NCT05238753
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention, stimulatedExperimentalElectromagnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve in critically ill patients.
Receives: Device: Non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation
Control, not stimulatedNo interventionControl group, no stimulation of the phrenic nerve.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Frequency of non-feasible stimulation, due to organisational or patient-specific reasons.

    Percentage of non-feasible stimulation out of the total number of stimulations planned according to the investigation protocol.

    Measured: 10 days

  2. Time to find the optimal stimulation point of the N. phrenicus

    Time between first successful N. phrenicus stimulation and identification of the optimal stimulation locus in seconds

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  3. Frequency of sufficient Tidal volume generated by electromagentical stimulation of the phrenic nerve (3-6 ml/kg ideal body weight)

    Percentage of stimulated breaths above the cut-off Today volume (3-6 ml/kg ideal body weigh) out of the total number of stimulated breaths. Tidal volumes are measured by the mechanical ventilator.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Variance of Tidal volume generated by electromagentical stimulation of the phrenic nerve

    Measurement of variance among the Tidal volumes stimulated during the experimental therapy intervention; Tidal volumes are measured by the mechanical ventilator.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  2. Correlation between amplitude and duration of sEMG signals during stimulated breathing.

    sEMG amplitude and duration are measured by a device (sEMG Amplificator) connected to electrodes applied to the patient's chest during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  3. Transpulmonary pressure during electromagnetical stimulation of the phrenic nerve

    Transpulmonary pressure is measured by the mechanical ventilator during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  4. Occlusion pressure during electromagnetical stimulation of the phrenic nerve

    Occlusion pressure is measured by the mechanical ventilator during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  5. Diaphragm thickening fraction

    Diaphragm thickening fraction measured with ultrasound of the diaphragm.

    Measured: approx. 28 days (till ICU discharge)

  6. Diaphragm excursion

    Diaphragm excursion measured with ultrasound of the diaphragm.

    Measured: approx. 28 days (till ICU discharge)

  7. Stimulated tracheal pressure during electromagentical stimulation of the phrenic nerve

    Stimulated tracheal pressure is measured by the mechanical ventilator during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  8. Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI) record and evaluation.

    Progression of RSBI during 10 days after subject inclusion, based on the mechanical ventilation parameters (Tidal volume) and the ICU continuous monitoring system (Respiratory Rate).

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  9. Lung compliance during electromagentical stimulation of the phrenic nerve

    Lung compliance is measured by the mechanical ventilator during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: 10 days

  10. Lung resistance during electromagentical stimulation of the phrenic nerve

    Lung resistance is measured by the mechanical ventilator during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: 10 days

  11. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) during electromagnetical stimulation of the phrenic nerve.

    MIP is measured by the mechanical ventilator during electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

  12. Expiratory and Inspiratory Diaphragm Thickness measured by Ultrasound

    Diaphragm Thickness measured by Ultrasound as a baseline parameter for muscle atrophy.

    Measured: Study duration (10 days)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Feb 2022
  2. Study start21 Jan 2022
  3. Primary completion15 May 2022
  4. Study completion15 May 2022

Why it stopped: CE certificate ended and was not renewed

Resources

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
Prevention
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Model description
15 patients in control group, 15 patients in interventional group with sequential design in term of daily frequency of non-invasive electromagnetic phrenic nerve stimulation, i.e. starting with 5 patients with 2 stimulation per day, followed by 5 patients with 3 stimulations and 5 patients with 5 stimulations per day
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
10 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05238753
Sponsor's protocol ID
STIMIT-II
Acronym
STIMIT-II
Status last verified
Sep 2022
First submitted
3 Feb 2022
Last updated
15 Sep 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Deidentified data can be requested on reasonable scientific request.

Publications

  • Panelli A, Grimm AM, Krause S, Verfuss MA, Ulm B, Grunow JJ, Bartels HG, Carbon NM, Niederhauser T, Weber-Carstens S, Brochard L, Schaller SJ. Noninvasive Electromagnetic Phrenic Nerve Stimulation in Critically Ill Patients: A Feasibility Study. Chest. 2024 Sep;166(3):502-510. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2024.02.035. Epub 2024 Feb 24.

    PubMed 38403186

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation in people with Muscle Weakness and Critical Illness, run by Charite University, Berlin, Germany at 1 site in Germany.

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 10 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: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2022. 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 Germany. 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 stopped early (reason given: CE certificate ended and was not renewed). Results are not available in the source record.

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?

Frequency of non-feasible stimulation, due to organisational or patient-specific reasons. (time frame: 10 days). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05238753, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 15 Sep 2022.

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