title: Effects of a feeding intervention in patients with Alzheimer's disease and dysphagia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effects of a feeding intervention in patients with Alzheimer's disease with dysphagia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In patients with Alzheimer's disease, inadequate food and fluid intake can result in malnutrition, dehydration and increased morbidity and mortality. Patients may lose self-care abilities such as self-feeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-month self-control feeding intervention was conducted prospectively in 30 nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease with dysphagia. Pre- and post-intervention measures included the Kubota water swallow test, type and amount of food intake and assessment of nutritional status by triceps skinfold thickness, upper arm circumference, serum albumin and haemoglobin. We used the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia scale to evaluate eating compliance and the Mini- Mental State Examination to evaluate cognitive function. Pre- and post-intervention results were compared to evaluate the effects of nursing intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' eating/feeding abilities improved overall, including significantly increased food intake (p < 0·001), decreased levels on the Kubota water swallow test (p < 0·001) and significant differences in skinfold thickness, arm circumference, serum albumin and haemoglobin (all p < 0·01), indicating improved nutritional status. Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia scale scores decreased significantly, showing improved eating compliance. No changes were noted in cognition post-intervention. Among 22 patients who initially required feeding, five patients resumed self-feeding after the intervention (p = 0·06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study show that a feeding intervention can improve food intake, eating compliance and nutritional status in patients with Alzheimer's disease with dysphagia and prevent further decline in swallowing function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significant improvement in eating/feeding measures suggest that this feeding intervention model could be developed as a feeding skills programme to improve both the eating/feeding care by nursing staff and the eating/feeding abilities and nutritional status of Alzheimer's disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Li-Li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.|Fujian Medical University 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Huang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University Affiliated Clinical Medical Institute, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Nursing School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003071:Cognition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004435:Eating; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; dysphagia; eating compliance; elderly; feeding intervention