Looped Nasogastric Tube Feeding for Dysphagia in Acute Stroke
Author Information
Author(s): Jessica R Beavan, Simon Conroy, Jo Leonardi-Bee, Tim Bowling, Catherine Gaynor, John Gladman, Dawn Good, Rowan Harwood, Jan Riley, Tracey Sach, Wayne Sunman
Primary Institution: Nottingham University School of Community Health Sciences
Hypothesis
Does use of the looped nasogastric tube in dysphagic acute stroke patients result in a greater proportion of nutritional prescription received per patient over a two week period than conventional nasogastric tube use?
Conclusion
Looped nasogastric tube feeding may improve the delivery of nutrition to patients with dysphagia after an acute stroke.
Supporting Evidence
- Dysphagia occurs in up to 50% of patients admitted to hospital with acute strokes.
- Nasogastric tubes are the most commonly used method for providing enteral nutrition in early stroke.
- Looped nasogastric feeding may improve the delivery of nutrition to such patients.
Takeaway
This study is trying to find out if a new way of feeding patients who have trouble swallowing after a stroke works better than the old way.
Methodology
Three centre, two arm randomised controlled trial with 50 participants in each arm comparing loop versus conventional nasogastric tube feeding.
Potential Biases
Participants and data collectors cannot be blinded to treatment allocation.
Limitations
The study may not be able to show improvements in function or nutrition due to the small sample size and short follow-up period.
Participant Demographics
Adults over 18 years with acute clinically diagnosed stroke.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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