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Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training and nasal high flow oxygen in patients with difficult weaning and high-risk for re-intubation. The hypothesis of the study is that starting inspiratory muscle training once patients are awake and co-operative along with the application of nasal high flow oxygen immediately after extubation will have a beneficial effect in preventive re-intubation in these high-risk patients.


Clinical Trial Description

20-30% of intubated patients are difficult to be weaned off the mechanical ventilation and have a prolonged ICU stay. It is well established that prolonged ICU stay is associated with reduced muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) via a threshold device has been proposed as an effective exercise for minimizing the detrimental effect of mechanical ventilation in critical ill patients with prolonged weaning. Additionally, Nasal High Flow (NHF) oxygen has been proved to support efficiently either high or low-risk patients after extubation and thus preventing re-intubation.

A randomized intervention study was designed to assess the efficacy of combining IMT and NHF as therapeutic strategies for difficult weaning. Once patients with prognostic factors of difficult weaning are awake and co-operative they will be randomized to one of the two following study groups: 1) IMT and NHF group, 2) IMT and Venturi mask group. IMT will start as soon as the patient wakes up and is cooperative, ventilated with support settings. Each allocated oxygen delivery device will be applied immediately after extubation. IMT intervention will continue until patients' discharge from the ICU. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT03908658
Study type Interventional
Source Evangelismos Hospital
Contact Anna Christakou
Phone +306977370284
Email achristakou@phed.uoa.gr
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date March 20, 2019
Completion date March 20, 2021