A Multi-Component Behavioral Nutrition Intervention for Homebound Elderly

N/ACompletedNCT01197768

University of Alabama at Birmingham104 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a multi-level self-management intervention to improve nutritional intake in a group of homebound older adults (HOAs) who are at especially high risk for undernutrition. The study will be guided by the theoretical approaches of the Ecological Model and Social Cognitive Theory and will use a prospective randomized controlled design to estimate whether individually tailored counseling focusing on social and behavioral aspects of eating results in increased caloric intake and improved nutrition-related health outcomes in a sample of 104 HOAs. The investigators hypothesize that intervention at these levels will improve caloric intake and indirectly improve health outcomes.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

104

Conditions

Undernutrition

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. at least 65 years of age 2. homebound (based upon Medicare's definition of homebound status) 3. able to communicate or have a caregiver who is able to communicate 4. living in a private residence 5. experiencing either an acute illness or chronic condition 6. not consuming enough calories to maintain body weight or weight loss of \> 5% over past 6 months (if known) Exclusion Criteria: 1. significantly cognitive impaired (MMSE \< 24 if living alone or MMSE \< 15 if living with caregiver) (if known) 2. terminally ill 3. any cancer diagnosis within the past five years (melanoma excluded) 4. end-stage renal disease 5. gastric or enteral tube-feedings 6. dependent on a ventilator

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Caloric Intake

At each of the data collection points, (3) 24 hour Food Recalls will be collected and measured against each other. Participants who receive the intervention are hypothesized to increase their caloric intake post-baseline.

Time frame: 2 and 8 months post-baseline

Secondary Outcomes

Health services utilization, specifically hospitalization and re-hospitalization

Patients receiving the intervention are hypothesized to have lower rates of hospitalization and re-hospitalization due to increased caloric intake and a reduced rate of physical decline.

Time frame: 6 months from follow-up assessment