scholarly journals Fingerfoods: a clustered-randomized feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemijn Visscher ◽  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Olga N Patijn ◽  
Mascha van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Regular Diet

Abstract Background Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fingerfoods as snacks was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers. Secondary objectives were to explore the effects of fingerfoods on total fruit and vegetable consumption, nutritional status and quality of life. MethodsInstitutionalised patients with dementia ( N = 22, 86% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this clustered randomized controlled feasibility trial in the Netherlands. The intervention group ( N = 15) received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. The control group ( N = 7) received their regular diet. Daily fingerfood consumption of patients and attitude of caregivers towards the fingerfoods were recorded to measure feasibility of the intervention. Fruit and vegetable consumption (3-day food records), nutritional status (body mass index (BMI) and SNAQ rc scores) and quality of life (QoL) (QUALIDEM) were measured in the first and last intervention week. The effects of fingerfoods on these outcomes were analysed with paired t-tests, Chi-square tests and ANCOVA. Results Patients consumed on average 70 grams of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 grams of fruit/vegetables. The intervention was rated as positive by 58% of the caregivers. Changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, malnutrition risk and QoL scores during the study period did not significantly change in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that providing fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in institutionalized elderly. In future research, long-term effects of fingerfoods should be studied on larger scale to confirm these findings. Trial Registration: Requested.

scholarly journals Fingerfoods: a feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemijn Visscher ◽  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Olga N Patijn ◽  
Mascha van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Feedback Form ◽  
Total Food Intake ◽  
Total Food ◽  
Food Diaries

Abstract Background Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, these patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods in the form of recognizable and familiar snacks on top of the normal intake was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers as a means to increase patients’ nutritional status.Methods Institutionalised patients with dementia (N = 15, 93% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this feasibility study in the Netherlands. The residents received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. Daily fingerfood consumption together with compensation behaviour at dinner of residents was administered with a checklist and food diaries at the start and end of the intervention as dose delivered. Furthermore, caregivers were asked to fill out a feedback form at the end of the intervention to measure fidelity and appreciation of the intervention. Results Patients consumed on average 1.4 pieces (70 grams) of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 grams of fruit and/or vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased during the provision of the fingerfoods and the residents seemed not to compensate this intake during the rest of the day. The intervention was generally positively received by the majority of caregivers, depending on the type of fingerfood and state of the resident. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that providing recognizable fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption and total food intake in institutionalized elderly. In an up-scaled study, effects of fingerfoods on nutritional status and quality of life should be investigated.

scholarly journals Fingerfoods: a feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemijn Visscher ◽  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Olga N Patijn ◽  
Mascha van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Eating Problems ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Feedback Form ◽  
Food Diaries

Abstract Background Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, these patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods in the form of recognizable and familiar snacks on top of the normal intake was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers as a means to increase patients’ nutritional status.Methods Institutionalised patients with dementia (N = 15, 93% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this feasibility study in the Netherlands. The residents received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. Daily fingerfood consumption together with compensation behaviour at dinner of residents was administered with a checklist and food diaries at the start and end of the intervention as dose delivered. Furthermore, caregivers were asked to fill out a feedback form at the end of the intervention to measure fidelity and appreciation of the intervention. Results Patients consumed on average 1.4 pieces (70 grams) of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 grams of fruit and/or vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased during the provision of the fingerfoods and the residents seemed not to compensate this intake during the rest of the day. The intervention was generally positively received by the majority of caregivers, depending on the type of fingerfood and state of the resident. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that providing recognizable fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in institutionalized elderly. In an up-scaled study, effects of fingerfoods on nutritional status and quality of life should be investigated. Trial Registration: Requested.

scholarly journals Fingerfoods: a feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemijn Visscher ◽  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Olga N Patijn ◽  
Mascha van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Feedback Form ◽  
Total Food Intake ◽  
Total Food ◽  
Food Diaries

Abstract Background Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, these patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods in the form of recognizable and familiar snacks on top of the normal intake was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers as a means to increase patients’ nutritional status. Methods Institutionalised patients with dementia (N = 15, 93% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this feasibility study in the Netherlands. The residents received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. Daily fingerfood consumption together with compensation behaviour at dinner of residents was administered with a checklist and food diaries at the start and end of the intervention as dose delivered. Furthermore, caregivers were asked to fill out a feedback form at the end of the intervention to measure fidelity and appreciation of the intervention. Results Patients consumed on average 1.4 pieces (70 grams) of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 grams of fruit and/or vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased during the provision of the fingerfoods and the residents seemed not to compensate this intake during the rest of the day. The intervention was generally positively received by the majority of caregivers, depending on the type of fingerfood and state of the resident. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that providing recognizable fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption and total food intake in institutionalized elderly. In an up-scaled study, effects of fingerfoods on nutritional status and quality of life should be investigated.

scholarly journals Fingerfoods: a feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemijn Visscher ◽  
Marieke C. E. Battjes-Fries ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Olga N. Patijn ◽  
Mascha van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Feedback Form ◽  
Total Food Intake ◽  
Total Food ◽  
Food Diaries

Abstract Background Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, these patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods in the form of recognizable and familiar snacks on top of the normal intake was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers as a means to increase patients’ nutritional status. Methods Institutionalised patients with dementia (N = 15, 93% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this feasibility study in the Netherlands. The residents received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. Daily fingerfood consumption together with compensation behaviour at dinner of residents was administered with a checklist and food diaries at the start and end of the intervention as dose delivered. Furthermore, caregivers were asked to fill out a feedback form at the end of the intervention to measure fidelity and appreciation of the intervention. Results Patients consumed on average 1.4 pieces (70 g) of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 g of fruit and/or vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased during the provision of the fingerfoods and the residents seemed not to compensate this intake during the rest of the day. The intervention was generally positively received by the majority of caregivers, depending on the type of fingerfood and state of the resident. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that providing recognizable fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption and total food intake in institutionalized elderly. In an up-scaled study, effects of fingerfoods on nutritional status and quality of life should be investigated.

scholarly journals Preliminary Examination of the Impact of a Gardening Program on Confidence, Physical Activity, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, and Quality of Life

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 783A-783
Author(s):  
Mu-Chuan Lin ◽  
Candice Shoemaker* ◽  
Nancy Gyurcsik
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Home Garden ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Impact

Older adults are not sufficiently physically active and do not consume sufficient fruits and vegetables to achieve health benefits, such as an improved health-related quality of life (HRQL). As a result, an innovative gardening intervention, comprised of stretching exercises, the teaching of home garden knowledge and skills, and the preparation and taste testing of fruits and vegetables, was developed to target increased: (a) confidence to garden and to consume fruits and vegetables, (b) physical activity, (c) fruit and vegetable consumption, and (d) HRQL. Seven older adults, aged 60 years or older, participated in the gardening intervention and 10 older adults participated in the control group during the fall. Measures of confidence, physical activity (i.e., gardening), fruit and vegetable consumption, and HRQL were obtained at baseline and at the end of the 10-week program. Findings revealed that, at baseline, intervention participants had significantly higher confidence to garden compared to control participants but at end-program intervention and control participants did not significantly differ in any of the outcome variables. Bivariate findings also revealed that intervention participants who had higher confidence to garden or to consume fruits and vegetables at baseline also gardened more at end-program. Thus, interventions targeting confidence to garden and to consume fruits and vegetables may be effective in improving gardening (i.e., physical activity) behavior. Findings also suggest that seasonal change may be one influential moderator of the gardening program on confidence and gardening and fruit and vegetable consumption behavior change. Future research should examine the impact of the program in different seasons to clarify the effects.

scholarly journals Quality of life and self-rated health in relation to changes in fruit and vegetable intake and in plasma vitamins C and E in a randomised trial of behavioural and nutritional education counselling

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Linda Perkins-Porras ◽  
Sean Hilton ◽  
Elizabeth Rink ◽  
Francesco P. Cappuccio
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Nutritional Education ◽  
Self Rated Health

AbstractWe have carried out a randomised trial comparing brief behavioural counselling with nutritional education counselling to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and associated biomarkers in adults from a low-income neighbourhood. The objective of the present analysis was to assess the impact of interventions on quality of life and health status, and associations between changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, plasma vitamins C and E, and quality of life. Behavioural counselling and nutritional education counselling were carried out in 271 adults in two 15 min sessions in a primary-care setting. Physical and mental health status (medical outcome study short form 36) and self-rated health were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks and 12 months, and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Both groups reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption; plasma vitamin E and β-carotene also increased, with significantly greater changes in consumption and plasma β-carotene in the behavioural counselling condition. Physical and mental health status, and the proportion of participants in good self-rated health, increased in both groups to a similar extent. Individual differences in improvements in physical health status and self-rated health were correlated with increases in fruit and vegetable intake and in plasma vitamins C and E, independently of age, gender, ethnicity, financial status, smoking, BMI and use of vitamin supplements. We conclude that participation in the present study was associated with improved health-related quality of life. Increases in fruit and vegetable intake and plasma vitamin levels may stimulate beneficial changes in physical health status in socio-economically deprived adults.

Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with improved mental and cognitive health in older adults from non-Western developing countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin H Gehlich ◽  
Johannes Beller ◽  
Bernhard Lange-Asschenfeldt ◽  
Wolfgang Köcher ◽  
Martina C Meinke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Verbal Recall

AbstractObjectivesConsumption of fruits and vegetables has been shown to contribute to mental and cognitive health in older adults from Western industrialized countries. However, it is unclear whether this effect replicates in older adults from non-Western developing countries. Thus, the present study examined the contribution of fruit and vegetable consumption to mental and cognitive health in older persons from China, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Ghana.DesignRepresentative cross-sectional and cross-national study.Setting/SubjectsWe used data from the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE), sampled in 2007 to 2010. Our final sample size included 28 078 participants.ResultsFruit and vegetable consumption predicted an increased cognitive performance in older adults including improved verbal recall, improved delayed verbal recall, improved digit span test performance and improved verbal fluency; the effect of fruit consumption was much stronger than the effect of vegetable consumption. Regarding mental health, fruit consumption was significantly associated with better subjective quality of life and less depressive symptoms; vegetable consumption, however, did not significantly relate to mental health.ConclusionsConsumption of fruits is associated with both improved cognitive and mental health in older adults from non-Western developing countries, and consumption of vegetables is associated with improved cognitive health only. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption might be one easy and cost-effective way to improve the overall health and quality of life of older adults in non-Western developing countries.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Sport for Acquired Brain Injury (PASABI): A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Marta Pérez-Rodríguez ◽  
Saleky García-Gómez ◽  
Javier Coterón ◽  
Juan José García-Hernández ◽  
Javier Pérez-Tejero
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wide Range

Background and objectives: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the first cause of disability and physical activity (PA) is a key element in functional recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the subacute and chronic phases. However, it is necessary to develop PA programs that respond to the heterogeneity and needs of this population. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a PA program on the HRQoL in this population. Materials and Methods: With regard to recruitment, after baseline evaluations, participants were assigned to either the intervention group (IG, n = 38) or the control group (CG, n = 35). Functional capacity, mood, quality of life and depression were measured pre- and post-intervention. The IG underwent the “Physical Activity and Sport for Acquired Brain Injury” (PASABI) program, which was designed to improve HRQoL (1-h sessions, two to four sessions/week for 18 weeks). The CG underwent a standard rehabilitation program without PA. Results: Results for the IG indicated significant differences and large effect sizes for the physical and mental dimensions of quality of life, as well as mood and functional capacity, indicating an increase in HRQoL. No significant differences were found for the CG across any variables. Conclusions: The PASABI program was feasible and beneficial for improving physiological and functionality variables in the IG. The wide range of the activities of the PASABI program allow its application to a large number of people with ABI, promoting health through PA, especially in the chronic phase.

scholarly journals Implementation and effectiveness of a multi-domain program for older adults at risk of cognitive impairment at neighborhood senior centres

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Ern Mary Ng ◽  
Sean Olivia Nicholas ◽  
Shiou Liang Wee ◽  
Teng Yan Yau ◽  
Alvin Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Control Group

AbstractTo address the paucity of research investigating the implementation of multi-domain dementia prevention interventions, we implemented and evaluated a 24-week, bi-weekly multi-domain program for older adults at risk of cognitive impairment at neighborhood senior centres (SCs). It comprised dual-task exercises, cognitive training, and mobile application-based nutritional guidance. An RCT design informed by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance framework was adopted. Outcome measures include cognition, quality of life, blood parameters, and physical performance. Implementation was evaluated through questionnaires administered to participants, implementers, SC managers, attendance lists, and observations. The program reached almost 50% of eligible participants, had an attrition rate of 22%, and was adopted by 8.7% of the SCs approached. It was implemented as intended; only the nutritional component was re-designed due to participants’ unfamiliarity with the mobile application. While there were no between-group differences in cognition, quality of life, and blood parameters, quality of life reduced in the control group and physical function improved in the intervention group after 24 weeks. The program was well-received by participants and SCs. Our findings show that a multi-domain program for at-risk older adults has benefits and can be implemented through neighborhood SCs. Areas of improvement are discussed.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04440969 retrospectively registered on 22 June 2020.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document