. 2014 Jul 14;20(26):8505–8524. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8505

Table 2.

Techniques for delivery of feeds in enteral tube feeding

Method of feeding	Indication	Comments
Bolus intermittent (by syringe or bulb)	Ambulatory patients	100-400 mL over 5-10 min multiple times, high risk of aspiration and diarrhea, cheap and convenient for NGT
Cyclic intermittent (by gravity or pump)	Partially recumbent	Higher infusion rate for a shorter period (8-16 h); while changing from tube feeds to oral
Intermittent drip	Home enteral feeding	1.5-2 L over 8-12 h overnight, no daytime feeds
(by gravity or pump)	Home enteral feeding	1.5-2 L over 8-12 h overnight, no daytime feeds
Constant infusion (by gravity or pump)	Bedridden patients ICU patients	Initiate with 20-50 mL/h, altered periodically depending on gastric residual volume, increased chances of aspiration and metabolic abnormalities; incline head end of bed to 45° to reduce aspiration and regurgitation

NGT: Nasogastric tube; ICU: Intensive care unit.