How overnight nutrition affects sleep and circadian rhythms in ICU patients
Official title: The impact of overnight nutrition support on sleep and circadian rhythm disruption in the ICU
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11061889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving patients in the ICU their meals during the day instead of at night can help them sleep better and feel healthier after heart surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL153795-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postoperative cardiac ICU patients who require nutrition support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the ICU or do not require nutrition support may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of overnight nutrition support on sleep quality and circadian rhythms in critically ill patients in the ICU. It aims to determine whether providing nutrition during the day instead of at night can improve sleep and reduce inflammation and cardiometabolic issues. By using actigraphy to monitor sleep patterns and other biomarkers, the study seeks to enhance recovery outcomes for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The findings could lead to better nutritional practices in ICU settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve sleep quality and recovery outcomes for ICU patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that optimizing nutrition timing can positively impact sleep and metabolic health, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dashti, Hassan S. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dashti, Hassan S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.