Phase 2: Intervention Process
The patients were selected via non-probability purposive sampling based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria within 24-48 hours after admission to the ICU, matched in terms of age, gender, type of lesions, GCS score, and type of lesions, and randomly divided into two groups. Data were collected using observational laboratory methods. Two treatment modalities were implemented after obtaining the demographic data (age, gender, diagnosis upon admission, and classification of hospitalization). Among the other collected data was personal information of the patients, medicinal and medical history, and informed consent was obtained from the patients or their legal representatives. Following that, the patients were randomly divided into two groups of control and intervention. Hemodynamic resuscitation and stabilization were carried out within the first 24-48 hours of admission. Afterwards, EN was initiated to provide 80-100% of the energy requirements of the patients (25 kcal/kg body weight). The amount of formula required for each patient was determined individually, and the treatment commenced within the first 24-48 hours of hospitalization (seven times per every 24 hours). The intervention continued for 14 days. Blood sampling was performed after the last gavage meal at night, similarly in both groups on days zero, 7 and 14 (figure-1).