Does dietary counseling improve quality of life in cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Results have been mixed as to whether dietary counseling improves clinical outcomes in cancer patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials assessed the effect of dietary counseling on quality of life (QOL). It included only randomized trials that focused on dietary counseling and that relied upon a standardized QOL measurement. Five trials that met these and all other a priori eligibility criteria were identified; they are the focus of this meta-analysis. When these five studies were examined in aggregate, the standardized mean difference in QOL scores among patients who received dietary counseling was 0.56 (95% confidence interval,-0.01-1.14; P = 0.06). Dietary counseling does not appear to improve QOL significantly in patients with cancer. However,an observed trend toward benefit underscores the need for further study.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, USA.
Thorvardur R
TR
Halfdanarson
Eyglo
E
Thordardottir
Colin P
CP
West
Aminah
A
Jatoi
D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D015431:Weight Loss