This study aims to examine the effects of meal delivery services on the nutritional status and mobility of malnourished older adults living alone at a foundation in Taoyuan. Participants will continue their usual diet and consume a daily oral nutrition supplement (ONS) of their preferred type (instant powder with milk or soy milk), provided monthly by social workers for 12 months. Nutritional assessments will be conducted every three months, including the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), anthropometric measures, and 24-hour dietary recall. Mobility will be evaluated using grip strength, walking speed, chair stand test, and calf circumference. Psychological outcomes will be assessed every six months using a quality-of-life questionnaire and the short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale. This study is expected to determine whether regular meal delivery services can improve nutritional status, mobility, quality of life, and depressive symptoms among elderly individuals living alone.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Without adjusting their daily diet, they take oral nutrition supplements (ONS) once a day according to their favorite combination. The items include: instant powder with milk drinks or soy milk, which are distributed by social workers every month for a total of 12 months.
Taipei Medical University
Taipei, Taiwan
Change in Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score
Nutritional status is assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). The total MNA score ranges from 0 to 30, with lower scores indicating poorer nutritional status. The score is expressed as a total point value.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Change in body weight
Body weight is measured using a calibrated digital scale and expressed in kilograms (kg).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Change in body mass index (BMI)
BMI is calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Change in skeletal muscle mass
Skeletal muscle mass is measured using a calibrated digital body composition analyzer based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and expressed in percentage (%).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Changes in calf circumference
Calf circumference is used as a surrogate indicator of muscle mass. Calf circumference is measured at the widest point of the non-dominant calf using a non-elastic measuring tape and expressed in centimeters (cm).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Changes in muscle strength
Muscle strength is assessed using handgrip dynamometry and expressed in kilograms (kg).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Change in five-times chair stand test time
Lower extremity muscle strength will be assessed using the five-times chair stand test. The time required to complete five consecutive chair rises will be recorded in seconds (s).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Change in gait speed
Usual gait speed is assessed using a standardized 6-meter walk test. Participants will be instructed to walk at their usual pace, and walking speed will be expressed in meters per second (m/s).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Changes in daily total energy intake
Daily energy intake is estimated using a 24-hour dietary recall and analyzed using nutrition analysis software. Energy intake will be expressed in kilocalories per day (kcal/day).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Change in daily protein intake
Daily protein intake is estimated using a 24-hour dietary recall and analyzed using nutrition analysis software. Protein intake is expressed in grams per day (g/day).
Time frame: Baseline, 3months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Change in daily carbohydrate intake
Daily carbohydrate intake is estimated using a 24-hour dietary recall and expressed in grams per day (g/day).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Change in daily fat intake
Daily fat intake is estimated using a 24-hour dietary recall and expressed in grams per day (g/day).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Change in Short-Form Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5) score
Depressive symptoms is assessed using the 5-item Short-Form Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5). The total score ranges from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. Scores is expressed as total points.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months and 12 months
Change in World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) score
Quality of life is assessed using the Taiwan version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). The instrument includes 26 items covering four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment). Domain scores is transformed to a scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months and 12 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.