ROSProx
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Preventing muscle wasting in critically ill patients by repetitive occlusive stimulus (ROS): a feasibility study
IRAS ID
205482
Contact name
Ben Creagh-Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Hospital intensive care units (ICUs) can be dangerous places. A year after being discharged, 70% of patients remain 'functionally disabled' due to their hospital stays. One reason for this is muscle wasting experienced in hospital.
We want to test a treatment called Repetitive Occlusion Stimulus (ROS). A fabric cuff, similar to that used to measure blood pressure, is placed round one thigh and inflated and deflated repeatedly, causing a restriction and then release of blood flow. This has been shown to effectively reduce muscle wasting in patients who are less ill but it has not been tried in ICU patients before. It is uncomfortable but should not cause any distress. Before we test ROS on a large number of patients we will test it on a small sample to check for any problems, either in the use of ROS or in the processes of the study.
We will recruit 30 patients on our ICU over 2 years and randomly allocate them (as if by chance) into two groups: one will have detailed observations, the other will have the same observations and also receive ROS treatment twice daily for 10 days. We will take ultrasound measurements during patients’ stay in ICU, take blood tests and carry out strength tests.
Previous ICU patients and family members have identified this area of research as a priority.
The results will help us design a larger trial, with potential to definitively establish if ROS works. If it does, it has its impact could be substantial, at low cost.
We will share the results of this study through presentations at conferences and publications.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0934
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion