Partnering with families to promote nutrition in cancer care: feasibility and acceptability of the PIcNIC intervention

Abstract

BackgroundMalnutrition is frequent in patients with cancer, particularly those in advanced stages of the disease. The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of a family-centred nutritional intervention, based on the Family Systems theory and past research.MethodsThis was a single-arm trial assessing feasibility (eligibility, recruitment and retention rates); acceptability by patients, family caregivers and health professionals; intervention fidelity, and energy/protein intake (in one site only). Two sites were involved; one each in Australia (AUS) and Hong Kong (HK), with one site delivering the intervention to oncology patients receiving curative treatments in the hospital, and the other to advanced cancer patients in the home.ResultsThe sample included 53 patients (23 from AUS and 30 from HK), 22 caregivers (3 from AUS and 19 from HK) and 30 health professionals (20 from AUS and 10 from HK). Recruitment was difficult in the acute inpatient oncology care setting (AUS) and feasibility criteria were not met. Sufficient recruitment took place in the home care setting with advanced cancer patients in HK. Patients, family members and health professionals found the intervention helpful and acceptable, and patients and families indicated they would take part in the future in a similar study. Energy and protein intake improved from baseline to end of intervention (mean 22 kcal/kg/day to 26 and 0.9 g/kg/day to 1.0 respectively).ConclusionThe new intervention is feasible in a home setting when delivered to patients with advanced cancer, acceptable to patients and families, and has the potential to improve nutritional status in patients. A large randomised trial is warranted in the future.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12904-018-0306-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Coping with cancer mindfully: A feasibility study of a mindfulness intervention focused on acceptance and meaning in life for adults with advanced cancer

“…Characteristics of the CCM intervention such as the low burden assessment and easy accessibility of treatment through home delivery, individual format, availability of different audio formats for session delivery, following each participants' pace, and a relatively short treatment duration (one month), are elements that may have contributed to all participants completing of the CCM treatment modules. Similarly, home-delivery intervention studies targeting advanced cancer patients reported high adherence and more suitability, considering the patients' health conditions (Chochinov et al, 2005;Henry et al, 2010;Molassiotis et al, 2018), and from the patients' perspective, the home-delivery format was viewed as very convenient (Passik et al, 2005).…”

Informal dementia caregivers’ experiences and perceptions about mealtime care: A qualitative evidence synthesis

“…Compared with unilateral interventions, dyad interventions can reduce the burden of care and improve the quality of the relationship between the caregiver and care recipient (Laver, Milte, Dyer, & Crotty, 2017). For example, nutrition education and social support for both patients and informal caregivers had the potential to reduce the pressure caused by eating difficulties and to improve nutritional status (Molassiotis et al., 2018). Support around mealtimes needs to be viewed in the broader context of dyad support.…”

Palliative nasogastric tube placement for patients with advanced esophageal cancer with nearly total obstruction: Consider the feasibility and acceptability considerations

“…[18,19] The palliative NGT placement in hospital settings may be affected by the feasibility of technique, financial limitation, or lack of available medical services. [20] The need for palliative NGT placement should not only focus on the success rate, but also understand whether the palliative NGT placement is feasible in the hospital setting, and is acceptable to the patients and families. Our study confirmed that palliative NGT placement, designed for direct visualization under endoscopy or fluoroscopy and focused on personalized support service, was a useful alternative if the conventional bedside blind NGT placement failed (Table 4).…”