RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07017517

NLRP3 Inflammasome and Physical Therapy in ICU-Acquired Weakness

Effect of Physical Therapy on NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Muscle Atrophy in Critical Illness Myopathy (PT-NLRP3-CIM).


Sponsor

University of Chile

Enrollment

24 participants

Start Date

Apr 20, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to study whether physical therapy can reduce NLRP3 inflammasome activation and muscle atrophy in patients with critical illness myopathy (CIM). It will also explore the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathophysiology of CIM. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Is NLRP3 inflammasome activation associated with muscle atrophy through the upregulation of atrogenes? Does physical therapy attenuate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in skeletal muscle, thereby contributing to the prevention or reduction of muscle atrophy in CIM? Researchers will compare enhanced physical therapy using servo-assisted bed cycling (Motomed Letto®) in critically ill patients at risk of developing CIM during the early phase of ICU stay to conventional physical therapy (standard physiotherapy), to assess whether physical therapy reduces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and muscle degradation. Participants will: Be randomized to receive either conventional physical therapy or enhanced physical therapy (Motomed Letto®) for 7 consecutive days. A control group of patients without CIM will also be included. Undergo assessments of NLRP3 activity, muscle atrophy markers, and transcriptomic profiles from serum and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies. Be clinically evaluated using the SOFA scale and muscle ultrasound for CIM diagnosis. Be followed up for changes in muscle strength and physical functionality. Provide sociodemographic and clinical information to be recorded throughout the study.


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

  • Medical diagnosis of sepsis upon ICU admission.
  • Receiving invasive mechanical ventilation with a projected requirement ≥7 days.
  • SOFA score ≥8 for three consecutive days within the first five days of ICU admission.

Exclusion Criteria16

  • Neurocritical illness.
  • Prior malnutrition or cachexia.
  • Pre-existing neuromuscular disease.
  • Coagulopathy (severe liver disease or continuous dialysis).
  • Thrombocytopenia <20,000 platelets/μL.
  • Prior Clinical Frailty Scale ≥4.
  • Lower limb amputation or fractures.
  • Ongoing chemotherapy.
  • Pregnancy.
  • BMI >35.
  • Uncontrolled epilepsy.
  • Allergy to ultrasound gel.
  • Prior prolonged corticosteroid therapy.
  • Expected ICU stay <7 days.
  • Imminent death.
  • Legal guardian refusal to provide informed consent.

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Interventions

DEVICEMotomed Letto® servo-assisted cycling + standard physiotherapy

Servo-assisted cycling using the Motomed Letto® device with a cadence target of 30 revolutions per minute (rpm), performed for 60 minutes twice daily for 7 days. This intervention is administered in addition to standard ICU physiotherapy to critically ill patients at risk of critical illness myopathy (CIM).

BEHAVIORALStandard physiotherapy

Standard physiotherapy including mobilization and passive/active range-of-motion exercises, delivered during routine ICU care for 7 days.


Locations(3)

Clínica INDISA

Santiago, Metropolitan Region, Chile

Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Pública (HUAP)

Santiago, Metropolitan Region, Chile

University of Chile

Santiago, Metropolitan Region, Chile

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NCT07017517


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