Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the application effects of home withdrawal program in critically ill patients with tube feeding dependence after enteral nutrition treatment, and to provide reference for helping patients with early withdrawal tube feeding. Methods: Through literature review and Delphi expert consultation, a home-based withdrawal program for tube feeding dependence after enteral nutrition therapy in critically ill patients was constructed. From August to November 2024, a total of 31 patients with tube feeding dependence after enteral nutrition therapy in Ward 1 of the Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary grade A hospital in Tianjin were selected as the intervention group and received a home withdrawal plan based on routine follow-up. In Ward 2, a total of 30 patients with tube feeding dependence after enteral nutrition treatment were selected as the control group, and received routine follow-up. Results: The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in the scores of tube feeding dependence symptoms between the two groups at different time points (P<0.001). After 1 month of intervention, the score of tube feeding dependence in the intervention group (34.61±6.01) was lower than that in the control group (50.20±12.79), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). There was significant difference in quality of life between the two groups (P<0.05). The successful cases of tube feeding withdrawal in the intervention group were more than those in the control group, and the cases of aspiration, vomiting, abdominal distension and diarrhea were less than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). The weight loss of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The home withdrawal program of tube feeding dependence after enteral nutrition treatment in critically ill patients is scientific, safe and feasible. It has been preliminarily verified in helping patients to restore oral feeding, reduce the symptoms of tube feeding dependence and improve the quality of life.

Key words: critically ill patients; enteral nutrition; tube feeding dependence; home withdrawal