Traumatic Brain InjuryNCT06328985
Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
A study testing Rehabilitation therapy, Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding and Nasogastric tube feeding in people with Traumatic Brain Injury, run by Zeng Xi at 2 sites in China.
Trial summary
This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe Traumatic Brain Injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- What is being tested?
- Rehabilitation therapy, Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding and Nasogastric tube feeding
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 98 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 30 Mar 2024to 30 Oct 2025
- 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
- age ≥ 18 years, meeting the diagnosis of severe Traumatic Brain Injury, confirmed through MRI
- score of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <8;
- presence of no contraindication for enteral nutrition;
- with stable vital signs and no severe liver or kidney dysfunction, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or multiple complications;
- informed consent form was obtained from the patients' family members.
Who cannot join
- unable to cooperate in completing treatment and assessment due to personal reasons or other disorders;
- complicated with other intracranial lesions, such as stroke;
- with severe consciousness disorders caused by other diseases.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
China2 sites
Department of rehabilitation medicine, the first ZU hospital north campus
Zhenzhou
Department of rehabilitation medicine, the first ZU hospital western campus
Zhenzhou
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Study to Explore the Effect of Different Feeding in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe Traumatic Brain Injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.
Read the detailed description
The safe and effective nutrition support for severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy continues to be a challenge. Nasogastric tube feeding has been the mainstream choice in China but with the risk of complications. Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding is an established modality of enteral nutrition support that can be used with routine treatment. This study reports the clinical outcomes of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding vs. nasogastric tube feeding, in patients receiving routine treatment. This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.
- Conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Being tested
- Rehabilitation therapy, Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding, Nasogastric tube feeding
- Medical subject headings
- Brain Injuries, Traumatic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Rehabilitation therapyBehavioural
Including:Acupuncture: Regular acupuncture treatment that can prevent muscle atrophy, improve circulation, and have a stimulating effect. Exercise therapy: Training that focused on limb movements or joint mobilization to prevent muscle contracture, reduce joint mobility, improve spasms, and promote blood circulation. Others: Regular turning, back patting, and position changes performed by caregivers.
Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube FeedingDevice
Based on this, the patients in the observation group were given nutrition support with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (Medical Device No. 20010234, developed by the Swallowing Disorders Research Institute of Zhengzhou University). The entire feeding process strictly followed the standard procedure of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding. During the feeding process, patients were maintained in a semi-recumbent position with their head elevated, facilitating the placement of the tube into the oral cavity along one side, with the chin brought close to the manubrium sterni.
Nasogastric tube feedingDevice
The patients in the control group were provided nutrition support with Nasogastric tube feeding, while the feeding process strictly followed the relevant guideline. During the treatment, the patients remained in a continuous state of tube indwelling, receiving feeding every 2-3 hours with a maximum feeding volume of 200ml, of which the contents were consistent with the observation group. The entire feeding process was conducted by trained nursing staff. Besides, the tube was replaced by a new one every 5-7 days.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation therapy+Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding | Experimental | Both groups of patients were provided with routine treatments, including pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation therapy.Based on this, the patients in the observation group were given enteral nutrition support with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (Medical Device No. 20010234, developed by the Swallowing Disorders Research Institute of Zhengzhou University). Receives: Behavioral: Rehabilitation therapy; Device: Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding |
| Rehabilitation therapy+Nasogastric tube feeding | Active comparator | Both groups of patients were provided with routine treatments, including pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation therapy. The patients in the control group were provided nutrition support with Nasogastric tube feeding , while the feeding process strictly followed the relevant guideline Receives: Behavioral: Rehabilitation therapy; Device: Nasogastric tube feeding |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Concentration of hemoglobin
hemoglobin was tested with blood routine test
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Concentration of albumin
albumin was tested with blood routine test
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Concentration of prealbumin
prealbumin was tested with blood routine test
Measured: day 1 and day 28
body mass index
body mass index was tested with body weight and height. Combination was calculated as: body weight (kg) / height (m)^2.
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Secondary outcomes (4)
Decannulation of tracheostomy tube-placement duration
The duration of tracheostomy tube retention and the outcomes of decannulation were recorded for two groups during the treatment. The criteria for tracheostomy tube removal were as follows: patients should exhibit no significant pulmonary complications (including the progressive decline in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide retention, pneumonia, etc.) during the capping trial, and should exhibit stable, regular breath and not require reintubation or tracheostomy within 72 hours after tube removal.
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Decannulation of tracheostomy tube-Successful removal
duration of tracheostomy tube retention and the outcomes of decannulation were recorded for two groups during the treatment. The criteria for tracheostomy tube removal were as follows: patients should exhibit no significant pulmonary complications (including the progressive decline in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide retention, pneumonia, etc.) during the capping trial, and should exhibit stable, regular breath and not require reintubation or tracheostomy within 72 hours after tube removal
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Level of consciousness
The Glasgow Coma Scale was used to assess the level of consciousness in patients. A score of 15 indicates normal consciousness, a score of 13-14 indicates mild consciousness impairment, a score of 9-12 indicates moderate consciousness impairment, and a score less than 8 indicates severe consciousness impairment.
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Feeding Amount
total amount of nutrients consumed by the patient on the day was recorded, excluding fresh water, units: milliliters
Measured: day 1 and day 28
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Mar 2024
- Study start30 Mar 2024
- Primary completion16 Oct 2025
- Study completion30 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Traumatic Brain InjuryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Zeng Xi
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Zeng Xi, Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital
- Investigators
- Xi Zeng, Study director, ZZU First Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06328985
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IOE Traumatic Brain Injury
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Mar 2024
- Last updated
- 8 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Lv D, Liu H, Zhao J, Liu Y, Li Q, Zhao X, Wang L, Zeng X, Ding Y. Oro-esophageal feeding for tracheostomized patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2685913. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2685913. Epub 2026 Jun 9.
PubMed 42261876
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Study to Explore the Effect of Different Feeding in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06328985
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IOE Traumatic Brain Injury
- Conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Zeng XiOther government
- Study start
- 30 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Mar 2024 (actual)
- 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.
This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe Traumatic Brain Injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.
Detailed description
The safe and effective nutrition support for severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy continues to be a challenge. Nasogastric tube feeding has been the mainstream choice in China but with the risk of complications. Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding is an established modality of enteral nutrition support that can be used with routine treatment. This study reports the clinical outcomes of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding vs. nasogastric tube feeding, in patients receiving routine treatment. This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation therapy+Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding | Experimental | Behavioral: Rehabilitation therapy, Device: Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube FeedingBoth groups of patients were provided with routine treatments, including pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation therapy.Based on this, the patients in the observation group were given enteral nutrition support with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (Medical Device No. 20010234, developed by the Swallowing Disorders Research Institute of Zhengzhou University). |
| Rehabilitation therapy+Nasogastric tube feeding | Active comparator | Behavioral: Rehabilitation therapy, Device: Nasogastric tube feedingBoth groups of patients were provided with routine treatments, including pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation therapy. The patients in the control group were provided nutrition support with Nasogastric tube feeding , while the feeding process strictly followed the relevant guideline |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- age ≥ 18 years, meeting the diagnosis of severe Traumatic Brain Injury, confirmed through MRI
- score of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <8;
- presence of no contraindication for enteral nutrition;
- with stable vital signs and no severe liver or kidney dysfunction, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or multiple complications;
- informed consent form was obtained from the patients' family members.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- unable to cooperate in completing treatment and assessment due to personal reasons or other disorders;
- complicated with other intracranial lesions, such as stroke;
- with severe consciousness disorders caused by other diseases.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation therapyIncluding:Acupuncture: Regular acupuncture treatment that can prevent muscle atrophy, improve circulation, and have a stimulating effect. Exercise therapy: Training that focused on limb movements or joint mobilization to prevent muscle contracture, reduce joint mobility, improve spasms, and promote blood circulation. Others: Regular turning, back patting, and position changes performed by caregivers. | Behavioural | Rehabilitation therapy+Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding, Rehabilitation therapy+Nasogastric tube feeding |
| Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube FeedingBased on this, the patients in the observation group were given nutrition support with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (Medical Device No. 20010234, developed by the Swallowing Disorders Research Institute of Zhengzhou University). The entire feeding process strictly followed the standard procedure of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding. During the feeding process, patients were maintained in a semi-recumbent position with their head elevated, facilitating the placement of the tube into the oral cavity along one side, with the chin brought close to the manubrium sterni. | Device | Rehabilitation therapy+Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding |
| Nasogastric tube feedingThe patients in the control group were provided nutrition support with Nasogastric tube feeding, while the feeding process strictly followed the relevant guideline. During the treatment, the patients remained in a continuous state of tube indwelling, receiving feeding every 2-3 hours with a maximum feeding volume of 200ml, of which the contents were consistent with the observation group. The entire feeding process was conducted by trained nursing staff. Besides, the tube was replaced by a new one every 5-7 days. | Device | Rehabilitation therapy+Nasogastric tube feeding |
Primary outcome
Concentration of hemoglobin
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
hemoglobin was tested with blood routine test
Concentration of albumin
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
albumin was tested with blood routine test
Concentration of prealbumin
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
prealbumin was tested with blood routine test
body mass index
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
body mass index was tested with body weight and height. Combination was calculated as: body weight (kg) / height (m)^2.
4 secondary outcomes
Decannulation of tracheostomy tube-placement duration
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
Decannulation of tracheostomy tube-Successful removal
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
Level of consciousness
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
Feeding Amount
Time frame: day 1 and day 28
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42261876Lv D, Liu H, Zhao J, Liu Y, Li Q, Zhao X, Wang L, Zeng X, Ding Y. Oro-esophageal feeding for tracheostomized patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2685913. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2685913. Epub 2026 Jun 9.
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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.
Xi Zeng study director
ZZU First Hospital
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Rehabilitation therapy, Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding and Nasogastric tube feeding in people with Traumatic Brain Injury, run by Zeng Xi at 2 sites in China.
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 5 inclusion and 3 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in China. 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 is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Concentration of hemoglobin (time frame: day 1 and day 28). The study lists 4 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 NCT06328985, 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 8 May 2026.