FoRKS Program for High Blood Pressure
(FoRKS Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial is testing if delivering healthy food and teaching cooking skills can help adults with high blood pressure and food insecurity. Participants will receive either their regular care or a program that provides food and cooking lessons. The goal is to see if these changes can improve their blood pressure and nutrition.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
Is the treatment generally safe for humans?
Varenicline, also known as Chantix or Champix, has been associated with some safety concerns, including potential neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as a small risk of cardiovascular events. However, these risks are generally low, and the overall number of adverse events reported in studies is small.12345
How does the FoRKS treatment for high blood pressure differ from other treatments?
The FoRKS treatment is unique because it combines food resources and kitchen skills to help manage high blood pressure, focusing on dietary changes and cooking confidence rather than medication. This approach is different from standard drug treatments, as it emphasizes lifestyle and nutritional education to support health.678910
What data supports the effectiveness of the FoRKS Program for High Blood Pressure treatment?
Research on culinary medicine and food provision interventions suggests that programs focusing on nutrition education and cooking skills can improve health outcomes by encouraging healthier eating habits. These programs have shown promise in improving diet quality and health markers in conditions like diabetes, which may indirectly support the potential benefits of the FoRKS Program for managing high blood pressure.1112131415
Who Is on the Research Team?
Richard Holden, PhD
Principal Investigator
Indiana University
Daniel O Clark, PhD
Principal Investigator
Indiana University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 35-75 living in Marion County with stable housing, kitchen access, and high blood pressure. They must be independent in daily activities, experience food insecurity or receive SNAP benefits, have normal cognition, and not consume excessive alcohol.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete a full baseline assessment including questionnaires, finger stick for A1c point-of-care testing, weight, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure before randomization
Treatment
Participants receive either Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) with a 5-week Hypertension Self-Management Education and Support (SMES) class or Food Resources & Kitchen Skills (FoRKS) with home-delivered ingredient kits and virtual cooking classes for 11 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for maintenance evaluation and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Enhanced Usual Care (EUC)
- Food Resources & Kitchen Skills (FoRKS)
Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Smoking cessation
- Smoking cessation
- Smoking cessation
- Dry eye disease
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Indiana University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Collaborator