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Nutritional Therapy in Patients at Risk for Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Sarcopenia
Malnutrition
Interventions
Other: individual nutritional therapy
Registration Number
NCT05096013
Lead Sponsor
Thimo Marcin
Brief Summary

Malnutrition and sarcopenia (muscle wasting) are common in health care settings and represent a health and economic burden due to associated increased mortality and prolonged hospital stays. Nutritional therapy co-management is recommended for both diagnoses.

This study investigates the efficacy of individualized nutrition therapy (iNT) in pulmonary rehabilitation. Patients at significant risk for malnutrition already receive iNT within clinical routine during rehabilitation. The investigators will investigate if patients with only mild to moderate risk of malnutrition and possible sarcopenia also benefit from iNT.

Detailed Description

The participating patients are randomly assigned to two groups after giving written consent.

The intervention group receives individual counseling by nutrition therapists twice a week in addition to the usual rehabilitation program. The iNT determines the energy and protein needs of the patients and creates targeted individual measures to achieve them. Measures may include, for example, adjustments to the meal plan or nutritional supplementation. The measures are continuously adapted to the patients' needs.

The control group also receives soup fortified with a standard amount of protein and fat and, if needed, an energy- and protein-rich dessert option as part of the rehabilitation routine care for patients at risk for malnutrition. However, patients from the control group do not receive additional counseling or adjustment by the iNT.

Patients' energy and protein intake will be recorded on three subsequent days at start of rehabilitation and at three subsequent days before discharge. Average duration of rehabilitation is expected to be three weeks. As primary outcome, change in energy intake will be compared between groups. Additionally, change in protein intake and other follow-up parameters of nutritional status and sarcopenia will be examined.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • admission to rehab due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or after a pneumonia
  • light to moderate risk of malnutrition (Nutritional Risk Score-2002: 3-4 Points)
  • risk of sarcopenia (sarc-f >=4)
  • signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • medically described nutritional support
  • reasons (cognitive, language) that prevent a informed consent
  • enteral or parenteral nutrition
  • after bariatric surgery

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
individual nutrition therapyindividual nutritional therapyIndividualized nutrition therapy: Specialists in nutritional counseling determine the patient's individual energy and protein needs and create targeted individual measures to achieve them. Measures can include, for example, adjustments to the menu, food enrichment or supplementation. The measures are discussed with the patients on an ongoing basis and adjusted as necessary.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Energy intakeFrom admission to discharge (2-3 weeks)

Change in energy intake \[kcal\] from start to end of rehabilitation.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
time up and goFrom admission to discharge (2-3 weeks)

Change in time up an go time (muscle function) from start to end of rehabilitation

lean body massFrom admission to discharge (2-3 weeks)

Change in lean body mass (muscle mass) from start to end of rehabilitation.

grip strengthFrom admission to discharge (2-3 weeks)

Change in grip strength (muscle strength) from start to end of rehabilitation.

protein intakeFrom admission to discharge (2-3 weeks)

Change in protein intake \[g\] from start to end of rehabilitation.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Berner Reha Zentrum

🇨🇭

Heiligenschwendi, Bern, Switzerland

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