Effect of calorie-protein supplementation on the cognitive recovery of patients with subacute stroke.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to investigate whether protein-calorie supplementation may enhance the cognitive retrieval of patients with stroke.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot clinical trial was performed comparing diet and diet plus protein-calorie supplementation regimens. The subjects were 48 patients with subacute stroke (>or14 days from index event). Anthropometric and nutritional (3-day diary) variables, cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination; MMSE) were determined before and 21 days after randomization in control and daily supplemented group (formula providing 250 kcal + 20 g protein).


RESULTS
At day 21 after starting the protocol, only the supplemented group significantly improved their performance to MMSE (log(10)MMSE +0.6+/-0.4 score; P=0.01 from baseline).


CONCLUSIONS
Protein-calorie supplementation may enhance the recovery of cognitive function in subacute stroke patients.
Aquilani
Roberto
R
Servizio di Fisiopatologia Metabolico-Nutrizionale e Nutrizione Clinica, Fondazione S. Maugeri, Istituto Scientifico di Montescano, Montescano, Pavia, Italy.
Scocchi
Marco
M
Boschi
Federica
F
Viglio
Simona
S
Iadarola
Paolo
P
Pastoris
Ornella
O
Verri
Manuela
M
D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000178:diet therapy*
D004044:Dietary Proteins