The Effect of a Nutrition Education Program on Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of a Nutrition Education Program on Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the effect of a nutritional education program on dietary intake and nutritional status in cancer patients. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, with the intervention group receiving structured nutritional education. Participants' nutritional status and daily dietary intake were assessed at baseline and during the follow-up period. The study aims to demonstrate that nutritional education can increase food intake and be effective in improving nutritional status in patients.
This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured nutritional education program in improving nutritional status in cancer patients. In cancer patients, the disease itself and the treatments administered (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.) increase the risk of malnutrition due to decreased appetite, taste alterations, nausea, vomiting, and metabolic changes. Therefore, nutritional interventions are critically important for clinical outcomes in this group.
Patients included in the study were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received an individualized and structured nutritional education program. This program included the importance of adequate energy and protein intake, nutritional strategies for symptoms, appropriate food selection, meal planning, and practical nutritional recommendations. The training was supported by both face-to-face sessions and follow-up interviews as needed. The control group continued with routine clinical care.
The nutritional status of the patients was assessed at baseline and at designated follow-up intervals. Clinical nutritional screening tools (such as NRS-2002), anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI), and food intake records were used to determine nutritional status. Daily energy and protein intakes of the patients were also analyzed.
The primary aim of this study is to determine whether nutritional education increases patients' dietary intake and consequently reduces their risk of malnutrition. The impact of the educational intervention on patients' nutritional awareness, symptom management, and overall eating behaviors is also evaluated.
The results are expected to contribute to the inclusion of nutritional education as a standard intervention in nursing care for oncology patients and to guide clinical practice.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: