J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Dec;42(6):799-809. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.799.

Effects of Individualized Nutritional Education Programs on the Level of Nutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Palliative Chemotherapy

• Park KO
• Choi-Kwon

• KMID: 1499507
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.799

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an individualized nutritional education programs on nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing palliative chemotherapy.
METHODS
Forty patients with colorectal cancer (19 experimental and 21 control patients) were recruited from a chemotherapy ward at S University Hospital in Seoul, Korea. The experimental group received two individualized nutritional counseling sessions and two telephone counseling sessions over 6 weeks. The control group received nutritional counseling after completion of data collection. Nutritional education included general guidelines for food intake while receiving chemotherapy, dietary guidelines for patients with colorectal cancer, daily meal schedules to overcome cancer, and dietary guideline for each chemotherapy side effect. Data were analyzed using chi2-test and t-test with the SPSS program 17.0.
RESULTS
Two group comparison revealed that the experimental group had significantly improved calorie (p=.038) and total protein intake (p=.001), and serum albumin percentage change (p=.040). Body weight did not increase but remained the same as the baseline in both groups.
CONCLUSION
Study results indicate that this individualized nutritional education programs are effective in enhancing nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing palliative chemotherapy.

Keyword

Nutritional status; Dietary records; Nutritional assessment; Colorectal cancer

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy/*psychology
Counseling
*Energy Intake
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nutrition Assessment
*Nutritional Status
Palliative Care
*Patient Education as Topic
Program Evaluation
Serum Albumin/analysis
Serum Albumin