The Geniohyoid Muscle in Critical Illness
This study aims to find the best way to measure the swallowing muscles in patients who are very ill and on a breathing machine in intensive care. Many patients in intensive care lose muscle strength, and this can include the muscles needed for swallowing. After being on a ventilator, some patients find it hard to swallow once the breathing tube is removed. We think this might be because their swallowing muscles get smaller. Researchers use a special scanner, like the ones used to look at babies before they are born, to take pictures of muscles. This study will check if we can reliably measure a specific swallowing muscle under the jaw in patients who are sedated and have a breathing tube. This will help us understand if these important muscles shrink.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When people are very unwell and need to stay in intensive care, they often spend time on a breathing machine (a ventilator). During this time, it's common for them to lose muscle strength throughout their body, including their arms and legs. This can make it harder for them to move around when they get better and go home.
But it's not just the arms and legs that can be affected. Patients on a breathing machine often have problems swallowing after the tube is taken out of their mouth. We think this might be because the muscles that help with swallowing could also become weaker or shrink. To find out if this is true, we first need a good way to measure these muscles. Doctors and researchers often use a special scanner, called an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create pictures of muscles, similar to how it's used to look at a baby during pregnancy. This study focuses on measuring one specific swallowing muscle found under the jaw.
Before we can investigate if these muscles get smaller over time, we need to make sure our measurement method works well for patients in intensive care. These patients are usually lying down and have a breathing tube in their mouth, which is different from healthy people who might sit upright with their mouth closed for a scan. This study will help us confirm that we can get clear, reliable pictures and measurements of the swallowing muscles, even with the challenges of an intensive care setting. This is an important first step in understanding and potentially helping patients with swallowing difficulties.
Key takeaways
- The study aims to improve how we measure swallowing muscles in critically ill patients.
- It uses a safe, simple ultrasound scan under the jaw.
- Patients are sedated (asleep) during the measurements.
- The goal is to see if measurements are clear and reliable in intensive care patients.
- This research could help future patients with swallowing problems after intensive care.
Who may be eligible?
This study is for adult patients who are currently in intensive care and need a breathing machine via a tube in their mouth. The breathing tube needs to be a certain size (7.0 or bigger).
You won't be able to join the study if you have a breathing tube through your nose or through an opening in your neck (a tracheostomy). Also, if you've ever had cancer or surgery in your head or neck area (except for tonsil or adenoid removal), or have a condition that affects your face shape or muscles (like previous stroke, or certain muscle disorders), you wouldn't be able to take part. This also applies if you've had problems swallowing before, are pregnant, or would find it difficult to stay still during the scan.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you an adult patient in intensive care?
- Do you have a breathing tube in your mouth (not nose or neck)?
- Have you *not* had head/neck cancer or surgery (except tonsils/adenoids)?
- Do you *not* have a muscle illness or previous swallowing problems?
- Are you *not* pregnant?
What does participation involve?
If a patient is considered for this study, their closest family member or carer will first be asked if they think the patient would want to take part, since the patient will be sedated (asleep). If they agree, a researcher will use a normal hospital ultrasound machine to take pictures of a muscle under the patient's jaw. They will place a small probe gently under the jaw. Once they are happy with the position, they will take a picture and measure the muscle's size and thickness.
This process will be repeated a short while later. After another break, a second researcher will also take a picture of the same muscle. All these measurements are done while the patient is sedated and still. The whole process for taking measurements should be quite quick and simple. Once the patient wakes up and no longer needs the breathing tube, a member of the research team will explain the study to them and ask them to sign a form agreeing for their information to be used.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Intensive Care UnitVerified postcodeWarrington, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is a 'breathing machine' or ventilator?
It's a machine that helps a patient breathe when they are too unwell to do so on their own, often in intensive care.
What is an ultrasound scan?
It's a safe and painless test that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body, like muscles or organs.
Will I feel anything during the scan?
No, you will be sedated (asleep) during the scan, so you will not feel anything or be aware of it happening.
What does 'sedated' mean?
It means you will be given medication to make you calm and sleepy, often to the point of being unconscious, typically when in intensive care.
How will my family be involved?
Because you will be sedated, your closest family member or carer will be asked if they think you would want to take part in the study first.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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