Understanding muscle recovery after serious illness
Official title: Muscle and physical function recovery after acute critical illness
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10930804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people who have survived serious illnesses like sepsis and respiratory failure can get their strength and physical abilities back, so we can find ways to help everyone recover better after they leave the hospital.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $414,738 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081002-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have survived critical illnesses such as ARDS or acute respiratory failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced critical illness or those with pre-existing severe disabilities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how patients recover muscle and physical function after surviving critical illnesses like sepsis and acute respiratory failure. It focuses on understanding the cellular and clinical factors that affect recovery, using muscle tissue samples and clinical assessments over the first year after hospital discharge. By identifying why some patients regain function while others do not, the study aims to develop better interventions to support recovery and improve quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery strategies for patients who have experienced critical illness, enhancing their quality of life and ability to return to normal activities.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in this area, this study's specific approach of combining muscle tissue sampling with clinical assessments is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dupont-Versteegden, Esther E — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Dupont-Versteegden, Esther E
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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.