The purpose of this study is to determine the best form of dietary intervention to undernourished elderly individuals in care homes. The research aims to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference between oral nutritional supplements and dietary advice as the first line treatment for malnutrition.
A prospective, randomised, parallel, open-label trial, study in malnourished care home residents, without obvious dementia, to compare the effects of two common forms of nutritional support; dietary advice (DA) and oral nutritional supplements (ONS), on quality of life (QoL) and other outcomes including weight, nutritional intake and appetite. The residents were randomised to receive either DA provided by a dietitian or ONS for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was QoL and the secondary outcome measure was dietary intake.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
104
Dietary Advice sheet
These products are classified as non-medicinal, borderline substances, foods for special medical purposes. A range of commercially available liquid oral nutritional supplements (Fortisip) will be offered daily for a 12 week period.
Care Homes in Hampshire
Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
The primary outcome measure is Quality of Life
Time frame: 6 months
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