The feasibility of a crossover, randomized controlled trial design to assess the effect of probiotics and prebiotics on health of elite Swiss para-athletes: a study protocol.
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
35477496
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause an autonomic imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to deficits in colonic motility, mucosal secretions, vascular tone, and an increase of intestinal barrier permeability. Autonomic denervation and factors such as age, physical activity, antibiotic use and stress may cause intestinal bacterial translocation, decreased microbiota diversity, known as gut dysbiosis and thus increase susceptibility to experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort. Probiotic treatment in individuals with SCI may normalize the gut microbiota and improve overall health. We aim to assess the feasibility of probiotic and prebiotic intervention in athletes with SCI and collect information necessary for sample size calculation of a definite trial on improving health outcomes in para-athletes.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Elite Swiss para-athletes (aged> 18 years), being shortlisted for the Paralympic Games 2021 in Tokyo or a member of a national team (n = 43), will be invited to participate in this single-center randomized crossover trial. Athletes suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, those currently taking antibiotics or other medication to alleviate gastro-intestinal complaints will not be eligible to be included in the study. Athletes will be randomized (1:1) to receive for 4 weeks a daily dose of either 3 g of probiotic preparation or 5 g of prebiotic (organic oat bran) supplementation in addition to usual diet, followed by a 4-week washout period or vice versa. The primary outcome is the feasibility of the study, measured by recruitment and dropout rates, feasibility of the measurements, acceptability and adherence to the intervention. Secondary outcomes include gastrointestinal health assessment, diet and training information, handgrip strength, blood diagnostic parameters, and intestinal microbiome characterization. The changes in clinically relevant secondary outcome values will be used to make a power calculation for definite trial.
DISCUSSION
This pilot trial will address two common challenges in SCI research: the difficulty to recruit enough participants for a sufficiently powered study and the ability to collect data within the limits of a realistic budget and time frame. Upon demonstrated feasibility of the intervention and study procedures, the intervention will be evaluated in a definitive controlled trial comprising a larger sample of para-athletes (elite, engaged, or recreationally active) individuals with a SCI.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT04659408.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause an autonomic imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to deficits in colonic motility, mucosal secretions, vascular tone, and an increase of intestinal barrier permeability. Autonomic denervation and factors such as age, physical activity, antibiotic use and stress may cause intestinal bacterial translocation, decreased microbiota diversity, known as gut dysbiosis and thus increase susceptibility to experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort. Probiotic treatment in individuals with SCI may normalize the gut microbiota and improve overall health. We aim to assess the feasibility of probiotic and prebiotic intervention in athletes with SCI and collect information necessary for sample size calculation of a definite trial on improving health outcomes in para-athletes.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Elite Swiss para-athletes (aged> 18 years), being shortlisted for the Paralympic Games 2021 in Tokyo or a member of a national team (n = 43), will be invited to participate in this single-center randomized crossover trial. Athletes suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, those currently taking antibiotics or other medication to alleviate gastro-intestinal complaints will not be eligible to be included in the study. Athletes will be randomized (1:1) to receive for 4 weeks a daily dose of either 3 g of probiotic preparation or 5 g of prebiotic (organic oat bran) supplementation in addition to usual diet, followed by a 4-week washout period or vice versa. The primary outcome is the feasibility of the study, measured by recruitment and dropout rates, feasibility of the measurements, acceptability and adherence to the intervention. Secondary outcomes include gastrointestinal health assessment, diet and training information, handgrip strength, blood diagnostic parameters, and intestinal microbiome characterization. The changes in clinically relevant secondary outcome values will be used to make a power calculation for definite trial.
DISCUSSION
This pilot trial will address two common challenges in SCI research: the difficulty to recruit enough participants for a sufficiently powered study and the ability to collect data within the limits of a realistic budget and time frame. Upon demonstrated feasibility of the intervention and study procedures, the intervention will be evaluated in a definitive controlled trial comprising a larger sample of para-athletes (elite, engaged, or recreationally active) individuals with a SCI.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT04659408.
Date Issued
2022-04-27
Publication Type
Article
Subjects
Clinical trial design Feasibility trial Prebiotic Probiotic Spinal cord injury
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Flueck, Joelle L | |
Ruettimann, Belinda | |
Hertig-Godeschalk, Anneke | |
Valido, Ezra | |
Bertolo, Alessandro | |
Stucki, Gerold |
Additional Credits
Journal
Pilot and feasibility studies
Publisher
BioMed Central
ISSN
2055-5784
Access(Rights)
open.access