Enhancing Health and Quality of Life for Individuals With Dementia Through Transitional-State Snacks

Description

Malnutrition significantly contributes to the disability and mortality associated with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. Thus, nutritional status is one important, modifiable clinical factor for maintaining physical and cognitive health among persons with dementia (PWD). This project will pilot an innovative approach to enhancing nutrition through the use of transitional-state snack supplements, or foods that start as one texture and change to another. Specifically, this study aims to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a transitional-state therapeutic nutrition supplement among adults with dementia. The central hypothesis is that access to ready-made, savory, nutrient- dense snack supplements that resemble "typical" preferred foods and eating habits will result in improved nutritional intake and status among PWD.

Conditions

Dementia, Nutrition Poor

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Malnutrition significantly contributes to the disability and mortality associated with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. Thus, nutritional status is one important, modifiable clinical factor for maintaining physical and cognitive health among persons with dementia (PWD). This project will pilot an innovative approach to enhancing nutrition through the use of transitional-state snack supplements, or foods that start as one texture and change to another. Specifically, this study aims to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a transitional-state therapeutic nutrition supplement among adults with dementia. The central hypothesis is that access to ready-made, savory, nutrient- dense snack supplements that resemble "typical" preferred foods and eating habits will result in improved nutritional intake and status among PWD.

Enhancing Health and Quality of Life for Individuals With Dementia Through Transitional-State Snacks

Enhancing Health and Quality of Life for Individuals With Dementia Through Transitional-State Snacks

Condition
Dementia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Eugene

University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97403

Portland

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97239

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Medically stable
  • * Community dwelling
  • * Has a medical diagnosis of dementia or possible dementia
  • * Does not live at home
  • * Cannot participate in the protocol independently and do not have a consistent caregiver who can provide assistance
  • * Does not have smartphone access
  • * Requires 100% feeding assistance
  • * Is NPO (nil per os)
  • * Has multiple food allergies
  • * Requires a strict renal, low-fat, and/or no-salt diet
  • * Is deemed unsafe for the transitional-state foods by a speech-language pathologist

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Oregon,

Study Record Dates

2024-12