NOURISH for Cancer

(NOURISH Trial)

Overseen By Crystal Bryant

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Active psychosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to explore how a culinary medicine program, called NOURISH, can benefit cancer survivors by integrating it into the existing YMCA Survivorship and Wellness Program. Participants will receive fruit and vegetable bundles, recipe cards, and nutritional education, along with cooking demonstrations to build skills in preparing healthier meals. This trial suits individuals diagnosed with cancer who can speak and read English and do not have psychiatric or neurological issues that might interfere with participation. The goal is to determine if these resources help participants adhere to dietary guidelines and maintain culinary skills over time. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance wellness through innovative nutritional support.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this culinary medicine intervention is safe?

Research has shown that the NOURISH program focuses on providing fruits and vegetables, along with recipe cards and cooking demonstrations. This type of cooking program is generally safe because it uses everyday foods and simple cooking methods. No reports of negative effects have emerged from this kind of program. Participants in similar programs have not experienced any major problems, suggesting that NOURISH is well-tolerated. The emphasis on fruits and vegetables also promotes overall health, making it a safe choice for those looking to improve their eating habits.

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about NOURISH for cancer because it takes a fresh approach to improving health through diet. Unlike traditional treatments that focus primarily on medication and therapy, NOURISH emphasizes the power of nutrition, providing fresh fruits and vegetables, recipe cards, and culinary skill-building. This method not only aims to enhance dietary habits during the intervention but also seeks to understand long-term adherence to healthy eating. By focusing on nutrition and practical cooking skills, NOURISH offers a unique and potentially sustainable way to support health alongside conventional cancer treatments.

What evidence suggests that the NOURISH intervention is effective for cancer survivors?

Research shows that good nutrition significantly benefits people with cancer. Studies have found that a healthy diet can enhance quality of life and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients. Specific actions, such as providing special groceries and offering nutrition advice, have demonstrated positive effects. Ensuring adequate food supply helps patients adhere to treatment and boosts overall health. This trial will evaluate the NOURISH program, which provides fruits, vegetables, and cooking lessons, to determine its potential benefits for cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sylvia Crowder, PhD

Principal Investigator

Moffitt Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals diagnosed with cancer who can speak and read English, are able to provide informed consent, and do not have psychiatric or neurologic conditions that could affect participation. It's integrated within the YMCA Suncoast Survivorship and Wellness Program.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not have any mental health conditions that could affect my participation.

I have been diagnosed with cancer.

Able to speak and read English

Exclusion Criteria

Not meeting all of the above inclusion criteria.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive biweekly provision of fruit and vegetable bundles, recipe cards, and nutritional education handouts plus 30-minute culinary medicine demonstrations with skill-building training

12 weeks

6 visits (in-person)

Maintenance

Participants' adherence to dietary guidelines and maintenance of culinary skills are assessed once fruit and vegetables are no longer provided

Up to 1 year

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention and recruitment rates

Up to 1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• NOURISH

Trial Overview

The NOURISH intervention is being tested over a 12-week period. Participants will receive biweekly fruit and vegetable bundles, recipe cards, nutritional education handouts, plus six culinary medicine demonstrations focused on preparing these foods.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: NOURISH: NutritiOUs fRuIts and veggieS to improve Health Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention Phase: In the intervention phase, members of the John Geigle YMCA will be assigned to the NOURISH intervention, which includes biweekly provision of f/v, recipe cards, and nutritional education handouts plus 30-minute culinary medicine demonstrations with skill-building training (six total demonstrations focused on f/v recipes). Members of the Hernando County YMCA will be assigned to the control condition and participants will receive recipe cards and nutritional education handouts but will not receive f/v or cooking demonstrations. Maintenance Phase: In the maintenance phase, we will better understand adherence to dietary guidelines once f/v are no longer provided and maintenance of culinary skills.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

576

Recruited

145,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving patients receiving S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy, the combination of cystine and theanine significantly reduced the incidence of adverse events (AEs), particularly severe diarrhea, compared to a control group.

Patients taking cystine and theanine also had a higher completion rate of chemotherapy and longer duration of treatment, indicating that these amino acids can enhance the tolerability and effectiveness of S-1 chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Oral administration of the amino acids cystine and theanine attenuates the adverse events of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Tsuchiya, T., Honda, H., Oikawa, M., et al.[2018]

Maintaining proper nutrition is crucial for cancer patients, as it supports their overall health and treatment effectiveness; the oncology team must understand factors affecting food acceptance to provide suitable dietary options.

Oral feeding is preferred, and nutritional supplements can help ensure adequate intake, but in cases of severe side effects like nausea or mucositis, intravenous feeding may be necessary to prevent malnutrition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Oral feedings in the cancer patient. Aker, SN.[2019]

A proactive nutritional assessment and intervention approach at Fox Chase Cancer Center led to a 50%-80% success rate in helping 186 cancer patients maintain or gain weight during therapy, which is crucial for improving cancer prognosis and reducing complications.

In a separate program involving 65 patients, 58% were able to successfully taper off parenteral nutrition, highlighting the effectiveness of tailored nutritional interventions in managing cancer-related weight loss and nutritional deterioration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Definition of standardized nutritional assessment and interventional pathways in oncology. Ottery, FD.[2022]

Malnutrition is a common yet overlooked issue in cancer patients that can negatively impact survival, quality of life, and increase healthcare costs, highlighting the need for better nutritional care standards.

Quality improvement programs, like the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii), have proven effective in identifying and addressing malnutrition, suggesting that implementing such programs in cancer care could significantly enhance patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Quality Improvement Programs (QIPs) in the Nutrition Support of Patients with Cancer. Arensberg, MB., Richards, J., Benjamin, J., et al.[2020]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10290234/

Nutrition as prevention for improved cancer health outcomes

We identified 15 unique studies examining nutrition support interventions before cancer treatment (Table 4) (23-37).

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07076004

Nourishing Hope: The Impact of Nutrition in Cancer ...

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a 6-month intervention of medically tailored groceries plus nutrition counseling vs. medically tailored ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831323000844

Current Insights in Nutrition Assessment and Intervention ...

Up to 70% of people with lung cancer may be affected by cancer-related malnutrition or muscle loss, depending on treatment modality and disease stage.

4.

pc3i.upenn.edu

pc3i.upenn.edu/our-work/projects/nourish/

NOURISH: Screening for Food Insecurity in Oncology Settings ...

NOURISH is developing a food insecurity screening tool specific to rural-based individuals with cancer to improve treatment adherence, health outcomes, ...

5.

systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com

systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-025-02840-0

Nourishing lung health: a meta-analysis and systematic ...

Hence, nutritional interventions have been positively associated with improved quality of life and treatment outcomes in patients with cancer, ...