The Effects of an Anti-inflammatory Dietary Consultation on Self-efficacy, Adherence and Selected Health Outcomes: A Randomized Control Trial

This study investigated the effects of a 2-part dietary consultation (the Mad Dog consult) on adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet (the Mad Dog diet) in individuals (N=11) with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. participants were randomly allocated into either the intervention group (n=7) or the control group (n=4).

The Mad Dog consultation was delivered in two parts over consecutive days. Part I entailed an accompanied trip to the participant's preferred grocery store in order to show the participant where selected foods could be found, how to read nutrition labels so that acceptable substitutions to the Mad Dog ingredients could be made, and how to shop for value when choices are presented. Part II of the consultation occurred in the participant's home and focused on meal preparation and kitchen accessibility, as well as a brief overview regarding the negative consequences of chronic inflammation, and the positive effects of adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. Accordingly, the researchers traveled to the participant's home and prepared two sample dinner meals for the participant in an interactive and instructional format. The researchers also brought selected pieces of accessible cooking equipment (designed for use in those with reduced hand function) which were demonstrated during the meal preparation. Participants were not given the equipment to keep, but they were instructed where to buy the equipment online if they found it beneficial. Questions and discussion were highly encouraged throughout the consultation and materials were left with the participants allowing them to easily review and reference information that was covered during the meeting. Specifically, participants were given a booklet with 28 compliant recipes, additional snack ideas and shopping tips along with a brochure summarizing the consult. The combined length of the consult was approximately 90-120 minutes.

Lastly, the Mad Dog consultation also included a virtual group, where participants could share and discuss anti-inflammatory recipes (that may complement the recipes in the Mad Dog diet) and engage in social support. Researchers were part of the group to oversee discussion but did not participate.

The control group only received the Mad Dog diet recipes, but did not take part in the consultation.

Adherence to the Mad Dog diet was determined by 7-day food logs before the intervention and at one month post-intervention. Task and barrier self-efficacy were determined by questionnaire at baseline (immediately after viewing the Mad Dog Diet), immediately after the consultation (in the intervention group only ) and at one month post-intervention (in both groups). Neuropathic pain and depression were determined by the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) questionnaire at baseline and at one month post-intervention (in both groups).