Post-surgery nutrition shake to help recovery in older adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Community-dwelling patients aged 70 and older undergoing elective major abdominal or orthopedic surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock will be randomized to receive a provided daily nutritional shake for one month after hospital discharge or to receive standard postoperative nutritional instructions. Demographics, medical history, and medications will be obtained from the electronic health record and confirmed with the patient, and physical function and cognitive abilities will be measured during hospitalization and at follow-up. The shake contains a comprehensive panel of essential nutrients designed to support muscle, metabolic, and brain health. Patients with contraindications to MRI, inability to take oral nutrition, dementia, insulin-dependent diabetes, or other exclusions will be screened out per protocol.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* patients \>=70 years old having major orthopedic or abdominal surgery, defined as a procedure with a planned inpatient stay of at least one night.

Exclusion Criteria:

* emergency surgery, diagnosis of dementia or major psychiatric diagnosis such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, inability to consent for themselves, unwilling or unable to complete all study requirements and measurements, any known food allergy, dislike of shake flavor(s), unwilling or unable to tolerate caffeine in shake, unable to take oral nutrition, BMI \>45, diagnosis of an eating disorder, insulin dependent diabetes.
* MRI procedure eligibility will be assessed using the DHMC Department of Radiology's standard MRI Safety Checklist, which screens for potential contraindications to MRI scanning such as metal in the body, possible exposure to metal in the eyes, pregnancy, and claustrophobia. Any individual with a contraindication to MRI scanning will not be eligible to participate in the optional MRI component.

Where it's running

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
  Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Stacie G Deiner, MD — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Stacie G Deiner, MD
• Email: Stacie.G.Deiner@hitchcock.org
• Phone: (603) 650-5922

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.