Nutrition Program for Difficulty Walking

Overseen By Elizabeth A Dennis, PhD RD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Uncontrolled diabetes, Chronic kidney disease, Dementia, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a virtual nutrition program, the Virtual Nutrition and Teaching Kitchen Intervention, can improve diet, quality of life, and muscle strength in older Veterans with mobility challenges. Participants will join weekly online sessions featuring cooking demonstrations and discussions on healthy eating. The program specifically targets Veterans who feel their eating habits are unhealthy and use mobility aids. The study will compare the nutrition program to general health education sessions to determine which is more effective. As an unphased trial, it offers Veterans a unique opportunity to enhance their health and well-being through innovative nutritional strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have a physician-prescribed diet, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this nutrition program is safe for Veterans with impaired mobility?

Research shows that virtual nutrition education programs, like the one in this trial, are generally safe and well-received. In other studies, participants have not reported any serious side effects from similar programs. These programs aim to improve diet and lifestyle, which are typically safe activities. This trial uses a digital approach that includes online cooking classes and nutrition lessons. This method has been tested elsewhere and has boosted nutrition knowledge and encouraged healthier eating without causing any problems.

Since this trial uses a non-invasive, educational approach, the risk of negative side effects remains very low. Participants typically find these programs helpful and engaging, with no reports of harm. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Nutrition Program for Difficulty Walking because it offers a fresh, interactive approach to managing mobility challenges. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus on physical therapy or medication, this program combines virtual nutrition education with live cooking demonstrations to empower participants with practical, everyday tools. By providing a supportive online community where participants can share experiences and learn from each other, this program aims to enhance dietary habits and overall health in a holistic way. This innovative blend of technology and community support has the potential to not only improve mobility but also boost veterans' confidence in managing their health.

What evidence suggests that this virtual nutrition and teaching kitchen intervention is effective for improving diet and muscle strength in older Veterans with impaired mobility?

Research has shown that virtual nutrition programs, such as the Virtual Nutrition and Teaching Kitchen Intervention in this study, can promote healthier eating and improve overall well-being. Participants in this trial will engage in weekly virtual live group sessions that focus on cooking demonstrations and dietary education. One study found that online cooking and nutrition classes improved diets, enhanced cooking skills, and increased nutrition knowledge. Another study demonstrated that group nutrition sessions can reduce physical weakness within a few months. These programs often lead to healthier habits and improved self-perception. Early results suggest that such programs may also boost muscle strength and enhance the quality of life for individuals with mobility issues. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Elizabeth A Dennis, PhD RD

Principal Investigator

Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older veterans who have trouble walking, likely due to impaired mobility. Participants should be interested in improving their diet and health-related quality of life. The study aims to help them by providing a virtual nutrition program with cooking demonstrations and delivering fresh produce.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a veteran over 65, walk slowly or need help walking, and want to eat healthier.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not on a doctor-prescribed diet that restricts my eating plan.

Dementia (on medical record review or a mini-mental status exam score <24)

Behavior that prevents group interaction

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 3-month virtual group nutrition intervention with produce delivery and virtual teaching kitchen cooking demonstrations

12 weeks

Weekly virtual live group sessions, twice weekly for 1 hour each

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustained effects on dietary quality and other outcomes

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual Nutrition and Teaching Kitchen Intervention

Trial Overview The intervention being tested is a three-month virtual group nutrition program tailored for older veterans with mobility issues. It includes produce delivery and online teaching kitchen sessions designed to encourage healthier eating habits, potentially increasing muscle mass, strength, and physical performance.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nutrition Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Weekly virtual live group sessions led by a trained study team member will be held twice weekly for 1 hour/week over 12 weeks using a HIPAA compliant online platform. The first class of each week will include the teaching kitchen cooking demonstration (\~30 min) and the remainder of the class will focus on dietary education. The second class each week will provide an opportunity for group discussion to have Veterans share to their peers about how they used the weekly produce

Group II: Contact Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Weekly virtual live group health education sessions led by staff will be held for two hours/week over 12 weeks. We will enroll up to 15 participants into each virtual class cohort and run multiple different group sessions for a total sample size of 90 participants. The content follows the LIFE study structured successful aging health education curriculum80,81 which was designed to increase self-efficacy and empower older Veterans to take control of their own healthcare. Topics focus on a broad range of healthy aging, such as importance of sleep, safe travel, goal setting, self-care, and common comorbidities

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 3-week hospital-based cooking and gardening program for children aged 8-15 in Seattle showed promising results, with 100% of participants cooking at home and 78% gardening at home one year later.

This program demonstrates the feasibility of using integrated cooking and gardening interventions as effective strategies for promoting healthy eating habits among children and their families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Joy of gardening: a hospital-based cooking and gardening program. Kim, G., Thompson, K.[2021]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06726083

Improving Dietary Quality and Social Engagement Through ... In this randomized controlled trial, the investigators will determine if a 3-month virtual group nutrition intervention paired with produce delivery and virtual ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10343805/

Perspective: Teaching Kitchens: Conceptual Origins ... In this perspective paper, we detail the basic principles of TKs, their conceptual origins, preliminary evidence of effectiveness, recent growth ...

3. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/517

Effect of the Emory Healthy Kitchen Collaborative on ... This study demonstrated the efficacy of a multidisciplinary worksite teaching kitchen on employee health behaviors and general health perception ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/396752313_Digital_Microinterventions_in_Nutrition_Virtual_Culinary_Medicine_Programs_and_Their_Effectiveness_in_Promoting_Plant-Based_Diets-A_Narrative_Review

Digital Microinterventions in Nutrition: Virtual Culinary ... Results: Most studies reported improvements in dietary quality, cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, and psychosocial outcomes. Virtual cooking programs ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666756822001246

Effectiveness of a complex intervention of group-based ... We found that the group-based nutrition intervention and the physical activity intervention improved physical frailty over short-term follow-up (ie, 6 months), ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/nutrition-program-for-difficulty-walking-b9fb0

Nutrition Program for Difficulty Walking · Info for Participants What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Nutrition and Teaching Kitchen Intervention for difficulty walking? Research shows that ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12492931/

Digital intervention targeting nutrition and physical activity ... The majority of studies reported significant improvements in PA levels, nutrition knowledge, and healthy food consumption. However, the impact ...

8. nsuworks.nova.edu nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=hpd_com_nutrition

Home-Based Virtual Culinary Nutrition Education ... - NSUWorks Results ... scientific research and development of individualized nutrition intervention and nutrition education for pALS. ... intervention data, a Mann-Whitney U.

9. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e50922

Digital Intervention (Keep-On-Keep-Up Nutrition) to ... KOKU-Nut is a free, tablet-based app for older adults to improve diet and activity, used 3 times a week for 12 weeks in a feasibility trial.