A shared mealtime approach to improving social and nutritional functioning among older adults living alone: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

A cluster randomised feasibility pilot trial evaluating involving community-dwelling older adults in activities in relation to meals in a rehabilitation program; recruitment, data collection and protocol

Background

Community-dwelling older adults receiving support at home such as meals-on-wheels may lose the ability to preserve social, cognitive, and functional abilities, when becoming accustomed to and dependent of community aged care. When still able to cook older adults often hold some control over the foods that are prepared and which they eat, and which helps to foster identity. The purpose of this study is to assess feasibility of outcome measurements and sample size when conducting a pilot cluster randomized trial to evaluate community-dwelling older adults being involved in activities in relation to meals in a rehabilitation program.

Methods

This cluster randomized controlled study will consist of two clusters of a total of 5 community aged care areas; the intervention cluster, which hold 3 community aged care areas and the control cluster which hold 2 areas. The 130 community-dwelling older adults, receiving meals-on-wheels, will randomly be allocated to either the intervention cluster consisting of 8 weeks of participation in a rehabilitation program led by a Case Manager or the control cluster receiving usual community aged care. The primary outcome will be assessment of data collection (ratio between completed- and non-completed data) and assessment of sample size. The secondary clinical outcomes will be health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3 L), muscle strength (chair stand), nutritional status (weight/BMI), loneliness (UCLA scale), mental well-being (Warwich-Edinburgh scale), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy scale), satisfaction with food-related life (SWFL scale) and refrigerator content.

Discussion

This study evaluates community-dwelling older adults receiving support at home, using involvement in activities related to meals with a rehabilitation approach, and this is a new area of research and will therefore be contributing in developing and refining consistent practices of rehabilitation programs.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (registration no: NCT03289598). The protocol has been sent to the Danish Ethical Board which has concluded that approval is not needed and that the study can be carried on as described. Approval by The Danish Data Protection Agency has been giving through general approval for use of data in The City of Odense and will follow rules for obtaining the data accordingly.

Thigh muscle and subcutaneous tissue thickness measured using ultrasound imaging in older females living in extended care: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Thigh tissue thickness has not been examined in older females living in extended care in UK as an indicator of musculoskeletal health. This study examined the feasibility of using ultrasound imaging to measure the thickness of superficial (fat) and deep layers (muscle) of the thigh in older females living in extended care.

METHODS

In ten older females in extended care (aged 80-98 years, mean 88 ± 6.8; body mass: 56.5 ± 12.6 kg) images of the anterior thigh (dominant) were taken in supine using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Superficial and deep layers were measured and percentage thickness was calculated. Independent t tests compared data from those in extended care to ten sedentary females living independently (aged 80-90 years, mean 84 ± 3.6; body mass: 61.6 ± 10.0 kg).

RESULTS

Thickness of the superficial layers was not significantly different between the two groups (CI -0.017 to 0.815, p = 0.059). However, those living in extended care had greater (p < 0.001) muscle thickness (mean 2.75 ± 0.48 cm) than those living independently (mean 1.83 ± 0.3 cm), which was similarly significant when normalised for body mass (extended care 0.51 ± 0.16; independent living 0.30 ± 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

These novel findings showed it is feasible to use ultrasound to measure muscles in older females in extended care and that muscle thickness was larger than in those living independently. The reason for the difference seen between groups would need to be confirmed by a larger study that also examined factors related to risk of sarcopenia and frailty, such as nutrition and physical activity levels.

RelAte: pilot study of the effects of a mealtime intervention on social cognitive factors and energy intake among older adults living alone

Mealtime interventions typically focus on institutionalised older adults, but we wanted to investigate whether they may also be effective among those living independently. Using a randomised controlled trial design, we assessed the effects of a novel mealtime intervention on self-efficacy, food enjoyment and energy intake. A total of 100 adults living alone aged over 60 years were randomised to the treatment or control conditions: all received a guidebook on nutrition and culinary skills. Treatment group participants received a weekly visit from a trained volunteer who prepared and shared a meal with them. Participants in the treatment group showed improvements relative to those in the control group at borderline significance (P=0·054) for self-efficacy and at significance for food enjoyment. Significant improvements were observed in female participants in the treatment but not in the control group in energy intake (although following corrections for multiple comparisons, only the effect on food enjoyment remained significant). These findings will inform the design of future complex interventions. For this type of intervention to be successful, more focus has to be placed on making interventions more personalised, potentially according to sex. Findings are important for nutritional sciences as they indicate that, in order to improve energy intake and food enjoyment among older adults, multimodal nutritional interventions including social components may be successful.

Efficacy of a Mobile-Enabled Web App (iCanFit) in Promoting Physical Activity Among Older Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

The benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors are well documented. However, few older cancer survivors are engaged in regular physical activity. Mobile technologies may be an effective method to deliver physical activity promotion programs for older cancer survivors. iCanFit, a mobile-enabled Web-based app, was developed based on formative research and usability testing. This app includes interactive features of physical activity, goal setting and tracking, and receiving personalized visual feedback.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to pilot test the initial efficacy of iCanFit.

METHODS

Older cancer survivors (N=30) were recruited online through our collaborative partnership with a cancer survivor's organization. After the participants completed an online baseline survey, they were asked to use the iCanFit website. Instructional videos on how to use the web app were available on the website. Participants were asked to complete a follow-up survey 2-3 months later. Participants' physical activity, quality of life, and their experience with iCanFit were measured.

RESULTS

A total of 30 participants completed the baseline survey, and 26 of them (87%, 26/30) also completed a follow-up survey 2-3 months later. The median age of participants was 69 years (range 60-78). Participants' quality of life and engagement in regular physical activity improved significantly after the use of iCanFit. Participants indicated a general affinity towards the key function "Goals" in iCanFit, which motivated continued activity. They also provided suggestions to further improve the app (eg, adding a reminder functionality, easier or alternative ways of entering activities).

CONCLUSION

The interactive Web-based app iCanFit has demonstrated initial efficacy. Even though our study was limited by a small sample size, convenience sampling, and a short follow-up period, results suggest that using mobile tools to promote physical activity and healthy living among older cancer survivors holds promise. Next steps include refining iCanFit based on users' feedback and developing versatile functionality to allow easier physical activity goal setting and tracking. We also call for more studies on developing and evaluating mobile and web apps for older cancer survivors.