NCT04445883

Evaluating the Impact of the Eating Matters Program on the Nutritional Status of Medical Rehab Patients at Joseph Brant Hospital

Evaluating the Impact of a Volunteer Based Mealtime Assistance Program on the Nutritional Status of Patients at Joseph Brant Hospital in Ontario, Canada

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Joseph Brant Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This research study will determine the impact of the Eating Matters Program on the nutritional status of elderly patients at Joseph Brant Hospital. The Eating Matters Program at Joseph Brant Hospital is a volunteer-based feeding assistance program that aims to improve patients' nutritional intake by providing assistance during mealtimes. As research on the impact of such programs on food intake is limited in Canada, this study will explore how the Eating Matters Program influences protein and energy intake of patients at Joseph Brant Hospital. Further, this study will explore if the hypothesized increase in protein and energy intake with the initiation of the Eating Matters Program is correlated with a decreased risk of malnutrition.

Detailed description

We will be conducting a prospective open-label non-randomized controlled trial to evaluate patients' nutritional outcomes in units that have the Eating Matters Program available (Study Group A) vs. similar units that do not have this program (Control Group B), as this can provide useful data on the effectiveness of such programs in developing innovative prevention strategies to address hospital malnutrition. A total sample size of eighty participants (40 in each group) will be included in this study from Medical and Rehabilitation units at Joseph Brant Hospital. Study group A will include patients from the medical unit on 6S100 in addition to the Rehab units on 6N400/500. Control Group B will include participants from the Rehab Unit on 4N400 and the Medical unit on 6S200. Baseline food intake data (including breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be gathered during a 2-day period for both Study Group A and Control Group B. Following the collection of baseline data, feeding assistance will then be provided to participants in the units that have the EMP program available (6S100 and 6N400/500). In addition, food intake will be recorded for a total of 6 days for both Study Group A, and Control Group B. Outcome measures including C-reactive protein and weight will be measured weekly. Following, a Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) will be completed and Hand Grip Strength will be recorded on days 1 and 18 as the literature shows that this is an appropriate timeframe to reassess these measures (Flood et al., 2014; Canadian Malnutrition Task Force, 2019). Energy and protein intake will then be calculated using visual estimation by completion of the My Meal Intake Tool, and the hospital's CBORD software. Further, to evaluate the success of the feeding assistance program, volunteers will distribute the feedback survey to patients, staff, family members or friends of participants. To prevent contamination from staff working on both sides, members of the research team will have a discussion with staff to explain that the study and potential benefits should not be discussed, as this may impact the research findings.

Conditions

• Food Intake

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Feeding Assistance	Patients will be receiving assistance during mealtimes. This includes assistance by opening packages, listing/explaining the food products on the tray, providing encouragement and companionship during mealtimes and directly feed patients.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-06-20
• Primary completion: 2025-09-30
• Completion: 2025-10-30
• First posted: 2020-06-24
• Last updated: 2025-08-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada