Digital Culinary Medicine for Cancer

Overseen By Maria Vazquez

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English/Spanish speakers, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

80 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a digital cooking program designed to assist cancer survivors facing food insecurity. It aims to determine if online culinary lessons can enhance their nutrition and overall well-being. Participants will either engage with the new Digital Culinary Medicine Program or continue with their usual care. Individuals who have received cancer treatment at MD Anderson, have internet access, and experience difficulty obtaining sufficient food may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to potentially improve their nutrition and well-being through innovative digital resources.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

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

What prior data suggests that this digital culinary medicine program is safe for cancer survivors?

Studies have shown that the digital culinary medicine program is safe for cancer survivors. A small initial study on a similar program found it well-tolerated, with no serious side effects reported. Research also shows that participants usually complete the program and express satisfaction with it. This suggests the program is not only safe but also well-received by participants. Although specific side effects were not detailed, the absence of serious issues in previous studies indicates a strong safety profile. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Digital Culinary Medicine for cancer because it offers a fresh approach to managing the dietary needs of cancer patients through a digital platform. Unlike traditional nutritional counseling, which often involves in-person visits, this program is accessible online, making it easier for patients to integrate into their daily routine. It focuses on personalized culinary education, empowering patients to make informed food choices that can support their overall health during treatment. This innovative method has the potential to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients by providing practical, easily accessible support that complements their medical care.

What evidence suggests that the Digital Culinary Medicine Program is effective for cancer survivors?

Research has shown that online cooking and nutrition programs can help cancer survivors improve their health. One study found that these programs made it easier for patients to eat healthily and boosted their cooking skills. Another study showed that cancer survivors improved their eating habits and felt healthier after joining such a program. Although specific data remains limited, these early results suggest that online cooking and nutrition programs might enhance diet and health habits. In this trial, participants in the Intervention Group will engage in the Digital Culinary Medicine Program, which aims to teach practical cooking skills and nutrition to help cancer survivors make healthier food choices. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Margaret Raber, DRPH

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cancer survivors who are experiencing food insecurity and are being treated at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Oncology Clinic at LBJ. Participants will be referred to the LBJ Food Farmacy program.

Inclusion Criteria

I can speak and read English or Spanish.

Screen positive for food insecurity using the 2 question clinic-screener (Hunger Vital Signs)

Receive referral to the LBJ Food Farmacy

Exclusion Criteria

Unwilling or unable to complete study assessments

I am under 18 years old.

I cannot speak or read English or Spanish.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a digital culinary medicine program aimed at improving diet quality and food security

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention, including assessment of diet quality, food security, and cardiometabolic health indicators

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Digital Culinary Medicine Program

Trial Overview

The study aims to develop and assess a digital culinary medicine program designed for cancer survivors. It's focused on understanding how feasible this type of intervention is when integrated into a clinic-based Food Farmacy setting.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Usual Care Waitlist Control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be assessed for study eligibility and randomized to study

Group II: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be assessed for study eligibility and randomized to study

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Culinary medicine programs, which include teaching kitchens and gardens, have shown promising preliminary outcomes in improving health metrics like weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in pediatric patients dealing with obesity.

Participation in culinary medicine workshops has increased healthcare employees' confidence and knowledge in preparing whole plant-based meals, suggesting that such programs can enhance healthy lifestyle behaviors both in patients and healthcare providers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching Kitchens and Culinary Gardens as Integral Components of Healthcare Facilities Providing Whole Person Care: A Commentary. Fals, AM., Brennan, AM.[2023]

The Culinary Medicine Curriculum (CMC) is the first comprehensive, open-source guide designed to help health professionals teach culinary medicine, emphasizing a whole food, plant-based diet that is healthy, delicious, and accessible.

In just two months after its release, the CMC was downloaded 2,379 times across 83 countries, indicating a strong global demand for resources that support culinary medicine education and dietary behavior change in patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The First, Comprehensive, Open-Source Culinary Medicine Curriculum for Health Professional Training Programs: A Global Reach. Hauser, ME., Nordgren, JR., Adam, M., et al.[2021]

Culinary medicine (CM) and culinary nutrition (CN) education can effectively enhance culinary skills and nutrition knowledge among health professionals and students, as evidenced by 33 studies reviewed.

There is a need for more research to determine the best ways to implement CM/CN programs and to evaluate their impact on the dietary habits of patients and clients influenced by these trained professionals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Culinary medicine and culinary nutrition education for individuals with the capacity to influence health related behaviour change: A scoping review. Asher, RC., Shrewsbury, VA., Bucher, T., et al.[2022]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12061925/

Culinary medicine in medical education: a pilot study targeting ...

This pilot study evaluated the impact of a cancer prevention specific CM curriculum on medical students' (i) cancer risk reduction (CRR) knowledge.

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06760754

Examining the Feasibility and Impact of a Clinic-based ...

... Digital Culinary Medicine Program Among Cancer Survivors Treated in a Safety Net Hospital ... Assess the preliminary efficacy of the digital culinary medicine ...

3.

uth.edu

uth.edu/news/story/new-culinary-medicine-program-aims-to-improve-health-of-patients-at-risk-for-diabetes-and-obesity-related-cancers

New Culinary Medicine Program Aims to Improve Health of ...

Researchers found positive changes in patient behaviors, including reduced perceived barriers to healthy eating and improved cooking self- ...

4.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12487249/

Culinary medicine for caregivers: protocol for a mixed- ...

Pediatric cancer and its treatment can negatively affect nutritional status, impacting treatment tolerance, survival, and overall well-being ...

5.

mdanderson.org

mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/clinical-trials/clinical-trials-index/clinical-trials-detail.ID2024-1732.html

Examining the feasibility and impact of a clinic-based food ...

The goal of this study is to develop and test the feasibility of a theory-driven digital culinary medicine program among food insecure cancer survivors ...

6.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221226722400090X

A Scoping Review of Group Nutrition Education and ...

Of 2,254 records identified, 41 articles met eligibility criteria, reporting on 37 programs. Most programs were designed for adult cancer survivors (89%) ...