Neurological RehabilitationNCT04204655
Influence of the Body Composition of Neurological (Early) Rehabilitants on Rehabilitation Success
An observational study of Neurological Rehabilitation, run by BDH-Klinik Hessisch Oldendorf at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
An optimal nutritional supply is associated with better outcome and recovery. For investigating the influence of the nutritional status and body composition on the course of rehabilitation, bioelectrical impedance analyzes (BIA) should be carried out on neurological (early) rehabilitants during the rehabilitation… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- What is being tested?
- BIA
- How many people
- 57 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 25 Nov 2019to 29 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Included in each case are 15 neurological and neurosurgical (early) rehabilitants of phase B, C and D (45 patients in total) of both sexes aged ≥ 18 years.
Who may be able to join
- neurological disease
Who cannot join
- electrical implant as cardiac pacemaker, medications pumps, defibrillators
- pregnancy or breastfeeding period
- take part on another study within the last 30 days
- spasticity
- amputation of limbs
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Germany1 site
Institute for Neurorehabilitation Research, BDH-Clinic Hessich Oldendorf
Hessisch Oldendorf, Lower Saxony, 31840
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Influence of the Body Composition of Neurological (Early) Rehabilitants as Well as Their Change in the Course of Rehabilitation and the Effect on Rehabilitation Success - a Pilot Study
An optimal nutritional supply is associated with better outcome and recovery. For investigating the influence of the nutritional status and body composition on the course of rehabilitation, bioelectrical impedance analyzes (BIA) should be carried out on neurological (early) rehabilitants during the rehabilitation process.
Possible disturbances, suitable outcome valuesfor evaluation of the rehabilitation success (depending on the rehabilitation phase) as well as the required frequency of the BIA measurements in rehabilitation should be estimated with the help of this pilot study.
Read the detailed description
An optimal coverage of the required calorie requirement is a basic prerequisite for a speedy recovery. One study reports that almost every fourth patient is malnourished in German hospitals. Malnutrition is in turn associated with more complications, higher mortality and longer length of stay. The current DGEM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährungsmedizin) guideline "Clinical nutrition in intensive care" recommends a calorie intake of 24 kcal per kg body weight during the acute phase of the disease (days 1 to 7) and an increase of calorie intake to 36 kcal per kg body weight in the convalescence and rehabilitation phase.
In a recent study evaluating the weight profile of neurological, enteric-coated early rehabilitants in rehabilitation, 60.6% of patients had weight loss during rehabilitation. Men were also more likely to lose weight than women. In addition, the caloric care of "underweight patients" had a decisive influence on the neurological outcome (as measured by the early rehab barthel-index(FRBI)). For example, underweight patients who were under-served showed significantly lower improvements in FRBI than underweight patients who were over-served.
In another study, the weight of patients remained stable through the use of a nutritional assessment tool (EAT). Also the gender difference was not confirmed in the group with the EAT. The weight change in the rehabilitation course correlated significantly with the difference between the calculated and the average calories received per day. However, an effect of EAT on the frequency of complications or the neurological outcome could not be demonstrated in this study.
However, as body weight may be affected by water balance (edema) and gastrointestinal complications such as constipation, vomiting and diarrhea, consideration of body weight to check diet / nutrition status alone is insufficient. Qualitative statements such as an increase / decrease in muscle mass can not be made on the basis of the weight data. Therefore, in the planned pilot study body composition will be documented by means of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) in neurological (early) rehabilitants during rehabilitation. At the same time, various outcome parameters are to be recorded.
The aim of this pilot study is to identify the number and frequency of BIA measurements required to assess the status of care. On the basis of this data, a study is then to be designed to investigate the success of rehabilitation as a function of nutritional status and muscle mass.
- Conditions
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Being tested
- BIA
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
BIADiagnostic test
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort | rehabilitants of the phase B, C and D during neurological rehabilitation Receives: Diagnostic Test: BIA |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Functional Status
The Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index were determined upon admission and at the end of rehabilitation.
Measured: 3 minutes
Disabilities
An ICF-Assessment of 20 items is used for determination of disabilities of activities and body functions. The severity of each item is scored from zero ("no impairment") to four ("complete impairment") upon admission and at the end of rehabilitation.
Measured: 3 minutes
Muscle Strenght
The hand force is measured with a hand force dyometer three times on each hand upon admission and at the end of rehabilitation.
Measured: 3 minutes
Mobility
The mobility is assed by the Rivermead Mobility Index.
Measured: 4 minutes
Lenght Of Stay
duration of neurological rehabilitation (in days)
Measured: < 1 minute
Mortality
Number of deaths
Measured: < 1 minute
Discharge Level
Status at discharge (discharged at home / long-term care facility, follow-up rehabilitation, death, transfer to acute hospital)
Measured: < 1 minute
Secondary outcomes (3)
Bioelectrical Impedance
Bioelectrical Impedances for all body segments: right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg, trunk, right body side and left body side.
Measured: 15 minutes
Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002)
Malnutrition upon admission and at discharge is assed by the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002).
Measured: 5 minutes
Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
Malnutrition upon admission and at discharge is assed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).
Measured: 5 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Dec 2019
- Study start25 Nov 2019
- Primary completion25 Sep 2023
- Study completion29 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (7)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Neurological RehabilitationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- BDH-Klinik Hessisch Oldendorf
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Jens D Rollnik, Prof. Dr., Study director, BDH-Klinik Hessisch Oldendorf
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04204655
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BIA-Studie
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Dec 2019
- Last updated
- 1 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Stucki G, Cieza A, Geyh S, Battistella L, Lloyd J, Symmons D, Kostanjsek N, Schouten J. ICF Core Sets for rheumatoid arthritis. J Rehabil Med. 2004 Jul;(44 Suppl):87-93. doi: 10.1080/16501960410015470.
PubMed 15370754Pirlich M, Schutz T, Norman K, Gastell S, Lubke HJ, Bischoff SC, Bolder U, Frieling T, Guldenzoph H, Hahn K, Jauch KW, Schindler K, Stein J, Volkert D, Weimann A, Werner H, Wolf C, Zurcher G, Bauer P, Lochs H. The German hospital malnutrition study. Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;25(4):563-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2006.03.005. Epub 2006 May 15.
PubMed 16698132Sorensen J, Kondrup J, Prokopowicz J, Schiesser M, Krahenbuhl L, Meier R, Liberda M; EuroOOPS study group. EuroOOPS: an international, multicentre study to implement nutritional risk screening and evaluate clinical outcome. Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;27(3):340-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2008.03.012. Epub 2008 May 27.
PubMed 18504063Elke G, Hartl WH, Kreymann KG, Adolph M, Felbinger TW, Graf T, de Heer G, Heller AR, Kampa U, Mayer K, Muhl E, Niemann B, Rumelin A, Steiner S, Stoppe C, Weimann A, Bischoff SC. [DGEM Guideline "Clinical Nutrition in Critical Care Medicine" - short version]. Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2019 Jan;54(1):63-73. doi: 10.1055/a-0805-4118. Epub 2019 Jan 8. German.
PubMed 30620956Schmidt SB, Boltzmann M, Rollnik JD. Nutritional situation of enterally fed patients in neurological early rehabilitation and impact of nutritional status on functional outcome. Clin Nutr. 2020 Feb;39(2):425-432. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.02.011. Epub 2019 Feb 10.
PubMed 30799195Schmidt SB, Boltzmann M, Krauss JK, Stangel M, Gutenbrunner C, Rollnik JD. Standardized nutritional supply versus individual nutritional assessment: Impact on weight changes, complications and functional outcome from neurological early rehabilitation. Clin Nutr. 2020 Apr;39(4):1225-1233. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.05.013. Epub 2019 May 16.
PubMed 31151820Geyh S, Cieza A, Schouten J, Dickson H, Frommelt P, Omar Z, Kostanjsek N, Ring H, Stucki G. ICF Core Sets for stroke. J Rehabil Med. 2004 Jul;(44 Suppl):135-41. doi: 10.1080/16501960410016776.
PubMed 15370761
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Influence of the Body Composition of Neurological (Early) Rehabilitants as Well as Their Change in the Course of Rehabilitation and the Effect on Rehabilitation Success - a Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04204655
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BIA-Studie
- Conditions
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- BDH-Klinik Hessisch OldendorfUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Nov 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Sep 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Dec 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
An optimal nutritional supply is associated with better outcome and recovery. For investigating the influence of the nutritional status and body composition on the course of rehabilitation, bioelectrical impedance analyzes (BIA) should be carried out on neurological (early) rehabilitants during the rehabilitation process.
Possible disturbances, suitable outcome valuesfor evaluation of the rehabilitation success (depending on the rehabilitation phase) as well as the required frequency of the BIA measurements in rehabilitation should be estimated with the help of this pilot study.
Detailed description
An optimal coverage of the required calorie requirement is a basic prerequisite for a speedy recovery. One study reports that almost every fourth patient is malnourished in German hospitals. Malnutrition is in turn associated with more complications, higher mortality and longer length of stay. The current DGEM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährungsmedizin) guideline "Clinical nutrition in intensive care" recommends a calorie intake of 24 kcal per kg body weight during the acute phase of the disease (days 1 to 7) and an increase of calorie intake to 36 kcal per kg body weight in the convalescence and rehabilitation phase.
In a recent study evaluating the weight profile of neurological, enteric-coated early rehabilitants in rehabilitation, 60.6% of patients had weight loss during rehabilitation. Men were also more likely to lose weight than women. In addition, the caloric care of "underweight patients" had a decisive influence on the neurological outcome (as measured by the early rehab barthel-index(FRBI)). For example, underweight patients who were under-served showed significantly lower improvements in FRBI than underweight patients who were over-served.
In another study, the weight of patients remained stable through the use of a nutritional assessment tool (EAT). Also the gender difference was not confirmed in the group with the EAT. The weight change in the rehabilitation course correlated significantly with the difference between the calculated and the average calories received per day. However, an effect of EAT on the frequency of complications or the neurological outcome could not be demonstrated in this study.
However, as body weight may be affected by water balance (edema) and gastrointestinal complications such as constipation, vomiting and diarrhea, consideration of body weight to check diet / nutrition status alone is insufficient. Qualitative statements such as an increase / decrease in muscle mass can not be made on the basis of the weight data. Therefore, in the planned pilot study body composition will be documented by means of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) in neurological (early) rehabilitants during rehabilitation. At the same time, various outcome parameters are to be recorded.
The aim of this pilot study is to identify the number and frequency of BIA measurements required to assess the status of care. On the basis of this data, a study is then to be designed to investigate the success of rehabilitation as a function of nutritional status and muscle mass.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort | – | Diagnostic Test: BIArehabilitants of the phase B, C and D during neurological rehabilitation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Included in each case are 15 neurological and neurosurgical (early) rehabilitants of phase B, C and D (45 patients in total) of both sexes aged ≥ 18 years.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- neurological disease
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- electrical implant as cardiac pacemaker, medications pumps, defibrillators
- pregnancy or breastfeeding period
- take part on another study within the last 30 days
- spasticity
- amputation of limbs
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| BIABioelectrical Impedance Analysis | Diagnostic test | Cohort |
Primary outcome
Functional Status
Time frame: 3 minutes
The Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index were determined upon admission and at the end of rehabilitation.
Disabilities
Time frame: 3 minutes
An ICF-Assessment of 20 items is used for determination of disabilities of activities and body functions. The severity of each item is scored from zero ("no impairment") to four ("complete impairment") upon admission and at the end of rehabilitation.
Muscle Strenght
Time frame: 3 minutes
The hand force is measured with a hand force dyometer three times on each hand upon admission and at the end of rehabilitation.
Mobility
Time frame: 4 minutes
The mobility is assed by the Rivermead Mobility Index.
Lenght Of Stay
Time frame: < 1 minute
duration of neurological rehabilitation (in days)
Mortality
Time frame: < 1 minute
Number of deaths
Discharge Level
Time frame: < 1 minute
Status at discharge (discharged at home / long-term care facility, follow-up rehabilitation, death, transfer to acute hospital)
3 secondary outcomes
Bioelectrical Impedance
Time frame: 15 minutes
Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002)
Time frame: 5 minutes
Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
Time frame: 5 minutes
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 15370754Stucki G, Cieza A, Geyh S, Battistella L, Lloyd J, Symmons D, Kostanjsek N, Schouten J. ICF Core Sets for rheumatoid arthritis. J Rehabil Med. 2004 Jul;(44 Suppl):87-93. doi: 10.1080/16501960410015470.
- Results publication: PubMed 16698132Pirlich M, Schutz T, Norman K, Gastell S, Lubke HJ, Bischoff SC, Bolder U, Frieling T, Guldenzoph H, Hahn K, Jauch KW, Schindler K, Stein J, Volkert D, Weimann A, Werner H, Wolf C, Zurcher G, Bauer P, Lochs H. The German hospital malnutrition study. Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;25(4):563-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2006.03.005. Epub 2006 May 15.
- Results publication: PubMed 18504063Sorensen J, Kondrup J, Prokopowicz J, Schiesser M, Krahenbuhl L, Meier R, Liberda M; EuroOOPS study group. EuroOOPS: an international, multicentre study to implement nutritional risk screening and evaluate clinical outcome. Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;27(3):340-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2008.03.012. Epub 2008 May 27.
- Results publication: PubMed 30620956Elke G, Hartl WH, Kreymann KG, Adolph M, Felbinger TW, Graf T, de Heer G, Heller AR, Kampa U, Mayer K, Muhl E, Niemann B, Rumelin A, Steiner S, Stoppe C, Weimann A, Bischoff SC. [DGEM Guideline "Clinical Nutrition in Critical Care Medicine" - short version]. Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2019 Jan;54(1):63-73. doi: 10.1055/a-0805-4118. Epub 2019 Jan 8. German.
- Results publication: PubMed 30799195Schmidt SB, Boltzmann M, Rollnik JD. Nutritional situation of enterally fed patients in neurological early rehabilitation and impact of nutritional status on functional outcome. Clin Nutr. 2020 Feb;39(2):425-432. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.02.011. Epub 2019 Feb 10.
- Results publication: PubMed 31151820Schmidt SB, Boltzmann M, Krauss JK, Stangel M, Gutenbrunner C, Rollnik JD. Standardized nutritional supply versus individual nutritional assessment: Impact on weight changes, complications and functional outcome from neurological early rehabilitation. Clin Nutr. 2020 Apr;39(4):1225-1233. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.05.013. Epub 2019 May 16.
- Results publication: PubMed 15370761Geyh S, Cieza A, Schouten J, Dickson H, Frommelt P, Omar Z, Kostanjsek N, Ring H, Stucki G. ICF Core Sets for stroke. J Rehabil Med. 2004 Jul;(44 Suppl):135-41. doi: 10.1080/16501960410016776.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Jens D Rollnik, Prof. Dr. study director
BDH-Klinik Hessisch Oldendorf
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Neurological Rehabilitation, run by BDH-Klinik Hessisch Oldendorf at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Functional Status (time frame: 3 minutes). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04204655, which also lists 7 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Oct 2026.