The effect of two different oral supplement dosing schedules on total nutrient intake in geriatric rehabilitation patients

• Main Author: Holliday, Amanda Sawyer
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2002
• Subjects: Gerontology; Nutrition; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Therapy
• ISBN: 0493853146; 9780493853147

Oral supplement beverages offered in addition to meals provide nutrients over and above what a patient is served at mealtime. Many times oral supplements are ordered in excess of what the patient is able to consume. It is unclear if consumption of nutrients from food suffers or benefits from the addition of supplements. The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of BID and TID supplement dosing schedules on: (1) food nutrient intake, (2) supplement nutrient intake, (3) total nutrient intake, and (4) supplement waste. This was a prospective, randomized study that was not blinded to the investigators. Study subjects were randomized into one of two groups (BID or TID). Each participant received supplements for six days. Total intake, food intake and supplement intake were compared using two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance. The data collected in this study indicate that patients who are on the BID and TID supplement schedule consume the same amount of total calories and grams of protein. A comparison of waste between the BID and TID groups supports this conclusion. Thus it appears that BID dosing is the most efficient oral supplement dosing protocol as evidenced by supplement waste and consumption of geriatric rehabilitation patients.