Bioimpedance in MND, V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of nutritional status in people living with motor neuron disease. An observational pilot study.
IRAS ID
279098
Contact name
Christopher McDermott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
STH21227 , Reference Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 22 days
Research summary
Motor neuron disease (MND) is an incurable illness that causes weakness and wasting of muscles that control movement, swallowing and breathing. The disorder usually causes a reduction in life expectancy. Nutritional status is an important factor that can have an impact on survival for people living with MND (plwMND). Many plwMND become malnourished and lose weight throughout the course of the disease, and these factors are associated with a shorter life expectancy. Monitoring nutritional status is important in this patient group in order to target nutritional advice and interventions.
Assessment of nutritional status in plwMND usually involves weighing someone but this becomes difficult or even impossible as an individual becomes more disabled. This means that as MND advances and individuals become more frail they are not able to have a thorough assessment of their weight and nutritional status at a time when they really need it. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may be an alternative method to estimate nutritional status in plwMND. This is a technique that uses a simple device that is non-invasive, painless and can be used when the patient is sitting or supine. It measures an output known as impedance which can be used to make calculations which predict body composition and nutritional status. We plan to measure bioimpedance in a group of plwMND and healthy volunteers at regular intervals over a period of nine months. We will collect information using different recording methods from plwMND and compare the results with those obtained from healthy volunteers.
Our focus is to assess how the different bioimpedance results correlate to nutritional and disease status in plwMND. We hope that bioimpedance may be a simple, fast and accurate way of monitoring weight and nutrition in plwMND ensuring that the correct advice and nutritional interventions can be given in a timely manner.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0158
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion