Understanding nutrition care in cancer treatment

Exploring Individual Nutrition Care Elements and Nutritional Evaluation Methods Within Dietetic Practice in Cancer Care

Observational Uppsala University · NCT06531174

This study looks at how dietitians can help cancer patients improve their nutrition and overall well-being during treatment by using personalized plans and tracking their food intake and muscle health.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUppsala University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Uppsala)
Trial IDNCT06531174 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study explores the role of dietitians in providing personalized nutritional care for cancer patients, focusing on behavior change strategies and goal setting. It involves audio recordings of conversations between dietitians and patients to analyze their interactions and the effectiveness of nutritional evaluations. The study also aims to assess muscle mass changes using calf circumference and track energy and protein intake, nutritional symptoms, and food-related quality of life during treatment. The research includes both dietitians and cancer patients at risk for malnutrition.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosed cancer who are at risk for or experiencing malnutrition and are receiving nutritional therapy.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently undergoing treatment for cancer or those without malnutrition or risk factors for malnutrition may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance nutritional care strategies for cancer patients, potentially improving their treatment outcomes and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in nutritional care for cancer patients, this specific approach focusing on dietitian interactions and tailored evaluations is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for the first part of the project involve encountering dietitians treating patients with cancer who have malnutrition or are at risk of malnutrition. For these patients, the inclusion criteria are as follows:

* aged ≥18 years with a diagnosed cancer
* ongoing nutrition therapy by a dietitian
* malnutrition or risk of malnutrition according to the hospitals criteria where at least one of the following criteria must be met: low BMI, involuntary weight loss, and/or eating difficulties. Patients can also be included if they are referred to a dietitian based on treatment guidelines due to a high risk of malnutrition associated with the cancer diagnosis or its medical therapy.

For the second part of the project, the inclusion criteria are:

* aged ≥18 years with a diagnosed cancer
* undergoing or planned treatment, including surgical, oncological, or a combination of these
* have been referred to a dietitian but have not yet had their initial contact with the dietitian, and
* malnutrition or risk of malnutrition according to the hospital's criteria, where at least one of the following criteria must be met: low BMI, involuntary weight loss, and/or eating difficulties. Patients can also be included if they are referred to a dietitian based on treatment guidelines due to a high risk of malnutrition associated with the cancer diagnosis or its medical therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

For the first part of the project, the exclusion criteria regarding patients are:

* known dementia or impaired cognitive function, and
* not proficient in spoken and written Swedish.

For the second part of the project, the exclusion criteria are:

* known dementia or impaired cognitive function,
* ongoing nutrition therapy by a dietitian at inclusion, and
* not proficient in spoken and written Swedish.

Where this trial is running

Uppsala

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions CancerMalnutrition
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.