Abstract

To determine the impact of Intensive Dietary Counselling (IDC) using Nutrition Care Process (NCP) pathway compared with standard practice (general nutrition advice of foods taken ad libitum) on nutritional status and Quality of Life (QoL) in patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The patient satisfaction with the IDC model was assessed. This prospective, randomized, controlled trial included 150 adult patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy at Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, Bengaluru. Patients were randomized to receive either dietary counselling using NCP pathway (n=80) or standard practice (n=70). Outcome measures were QoL assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C-30 and nutritional status was assessed using Subjective Global Assessment at baseline and after 12 weeks of starting treatment. Patient experience was recorded using organizational patient satisfaction survey tool. The dietary counselling group showed improved QoL compared with the standard practice group at the end of 12 weeks of starting treatment (p<0.01). The body weight and nutritional status significantly improved in the group that received dietary counselling using the NCP pathway compared with standard practice (p<0.01). The dietary counselling group also reported higher patient satisfaction with the nutrition intervention compared with standard practice. Dietary counselling following the nutrition care process pathway result in significant difference in the QoL and nutritional status compared with standard practice in patients undergoing cancer treatment. Nutrition intervention using this model also increased the patient experience.

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