title: Study of the effect of a liquid nutrition supplement on the nutritional status of psycho-geriatric nursing home patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the acceptance of a multinutrient liquid nutrition supplement in psycho-geriatric nursing home patients and the effect on weight, plasma nutrients and activities of daily life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two nursing homes in Boxtel, The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two (body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m2 for men or <25 kg/m2 for women) psycho-geriatric nursing home patients aged 60 y or over.
  
  
  METHODS
  Provision with a complete micronutrient-enriched liquid nutrition supplement of 125 ml and 0.6 MJ (135 kcal) or placebo twice daily during daytime between main meals. Study parameters were assessed at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME FOR MEASURES: Weight, Barthel index of daily activities, several plasma values (albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, thiamine, thiamine diphosphate (TDF), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D), bowel function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The supplement was well accepted. Thirty-five patients completed the intervention period (16 control group; 19 supplement group). Baseline daily nutrient intake was low. A statistically significant improvement was observed for body weight (difference between groups 2.2 kg, P=0.03), and homocysteine, vitamin B1, TDF, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D in the supplement group compared to the placebo group. No significant difference was observed in the Barthel index (mean difference -0.3+/-1.1 for both groups). No difference in occurrence of diarrhoea was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that nutritional supplementation is well accepted and can improve the nutritional status of psycho-geriatric nursing home patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Numico Research BV.
authors.affiliation: Numico Research BV, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wouters-Wesseling
authors.forename: A E J
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kleijer
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bindels
authors.forename: C P G M
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: van Staveren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001628:Beverages; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies