Research paper
A cluster randomised feasibility trial evaluating nutritional interventions in the treatment of malnutrition in care home adult residents
Study answer
What this study found
The study found the nutritional interventions were feasible and acceptable, but efficacy remained exploratory because the trial was not powered for clinical outcomes. At 3 months, BMI improved in both active arms while declining in standard care, with change scores of 0.16 for FB and 0.33 for ONS versus -0.55 for SC. Energy intake declined less in ONS than in SC or FB at 3 months, with changes of -99 kcal, -380 kcal, and -479 kcal, respectively. The authors concluded that a definitive trial is feasible, but better simple functional and clinical outcome measures are needed for care-home…
- Study & population
- Cluster randomised feasibility trial in six privately owned care homes in Solihull, West Midlands, England, recruiting older adult residents at risk of or with malnutrition based on MUST screening.
- Intervention
- The food-based arm used daily food fortification and added snacks to increase intake by about 600 kcal and 20 to 25 g protein per day, given orally through food over 6 months.
- Key limitation
- Feasibility design with small arm sizes and no power for efficacy limits interpretation of the clinical findings.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
BackgroundProtein energy malnutrition (PEM) predisposes individuals to disease, delays recovery from illness and reduces quality of life. Care home residents in the United Kingdom are especially vulnerable, with an estimated 30 to 42 % at risk. Evide…