Effects of an individualised nutritional intervention to tackle malnutrition in nursing homes: a pre-post study

Abstract

Purpose Individualised interventions are recommended to tackle malnutrition in older adults, but approaches for nursing home (NH) residents are scarce. This study investigated the effects of an individualised nutritional intervention in NH residents with (risk of) malnutrition. Methods In a pre-post study, 6 weeks (w) of usual care were followed by 6w of intervention. The intervention consisted of up to three supplement modules (sweet and savoury protein creams and protein-energy drink, single or combined) and, if required, reshaped texture-modified meals (RTMM). Results Fifty residents completed the study (84 ± 8 years, 74% female). One-third (32%) received RTMM. Additional 258 ± 167 kcal/day and 23 ± 15 g protein/day were offered. Mean daily energy intake increased by 207 (95%CI 47–368, p = 0.005) kcal and protein intake by 14 (7–21, p < 0.001) g (w12 vs w1). Quality of life (QoL) increased in the subscale “care relationship” (+ 9 (3–15) points, p = 0.002, w12 vs w6). Body weight, handgrip strength, and other QoL subscales did not change. Conclusion Our intervention improved dietary intake and one QoL subscale in NH residents with (risk of) malnutrition. As a next step, randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the impact of individualised interventions more comprehensively.

How quality of life is measured in studies of nutritional intervention: a systematic review

“…[ 145 ] 2 [ 146 , 147 ] QUALIDEM Dementia Two-versions QoLQ to be used in different stages of dementia: 37-item version for people with mild to severe dementia covering nine domains of QoL (care relationship, positive affect, negative affect, restless tense behavior, positive self-image, social relations, social isolation, feeling at home, and having something to do) and the 18- items version for people with very severe dementia (deleting domains of positive self-image, feeling at home, and having something to do). [ 148 ] 2 [ 149 , 150 ] CLDQ Chronic liver disease 29- items QoL questionnaire for assessing the HRQoL in individuals with chronic liver disease covering 8 domains (abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms, activity, emotional function, worry). [ 151 ] 1 [ 152 ] IWQOL-Lite Weight Shortened version of the Impact of Weight on QoL (IWQOL) questionnaire.…”

Impact of food-based fortification on nutritional outcomes and acceptability in older adults: systematic literature review

“…It should be noted that 10 articles did not specify the nature of food matrices ( 38 , 44 , 55 , 58 , 61 , 64 , 65 , 67 , 72 , 74 ) and 5 articles did not specify the nature of the fortificants ( 50 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 74 ). Only 8 articles provided enough details about the recipes for them to be reproduced by a third party ( 33–35 , 39 , 46 , 49 , 54 , 73 ).…”

“…There was a large variability in the number of matrices used for fortification in the articles. Twelve articles used one only matrix category to be fortified ( 33–36 , 39 , 40 , 46 , 49 , 52 , 54 , 75 , 77 ). Munk et al ( 66 ) developed 36 fortified dishes in collaboration with dietitians, chefs and patients from a hospital.…”

介護施設入居高齢者の栄養ケア：スコーピングレビュー

“…Seemer J et al, 2022 [38] Germany Before-after study Nursing home residents at risk of malnutrition 50…”

“…conducted by researchers from Canada [33], Finland [34], Taiwan [35], Australia [36], Denmark [37], and Germany [38]. Randomized controlled trial (7/22, 31.8%) was the most frequently observed study design in the included studies.…”