Medically Tailored Meals for Pediatric Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Children receiving cancer treatment often experience nutrition-related challenges, such as changes in appetite, weight, and food intake, due to treatment side effects and the demands placed on families during care. These challenges can increase caregiver stress, reduce diet quality, and contribute to short- and long-term health risks for children. While medically tailored meals have been shown to improve nutrition and reduce burden in adults with serious illness, their use in pediatric cancer care has not been well studied. This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week, family-centered food-as-medicine program for children undergoing active cancer treatment and their caregivers. The program combines weekly delivery of medically tailored meals with individualized caregiver coaching provided by registered dietitian nutritionists. During the first eight weeks, families receive full meal support and weekly coaching sessions, followed by a four-week transition period with tapered meal delivery and bi-weekly coaching to support sustainable nutrition practices. A total of 60 pediatric patients and their caregivers will be enrolled at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The study will assess whether families can be successfully recruited and retained, whether they are able to participate in study activities, and whether the program is acceptable and usable during cancer treatment. The study will also explore preliminary effects on children's dietary intake, weight and growth patterns, treatment tolerance, household nutrition security, and caregiver stress and burden.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive medically tailored meals and caregiver coaching for 12 weeks
Transition
Four-week transition period with tapered meal delivery and bi-weekly coaching
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Caregiver Coaching
- Medically Tailored Meals
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
This pilot study is a single-arm clinical trial. Sixty pediatric oncology patients and their caregivers (N=120) will be enrolled at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Buerger and KOP locations).
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Drexel University
Lead Sponsor
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Collaborator
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