Beneficial effects of oral nutrition supplements on the nutritional status and physical performance of older nursing home residents at risk of malnutrition

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of nutritional supplement drinks (NSDs) and nutritional education (NE) on the nutritional status and physical performance in older nursing home residents who were at risk of malnutrition. DESIGN: This study was a clustered, randomized, parallel, multi-center clinical trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In total, 107 participants at risk of malnutrition were recruited from several nursing homes in this study. Participants aged more than 65 years were divided into two groups: an NE group (n=50) and an NSD group (n=57). Participants in the NE group were given NE by a dietitian, whereas in addition to NE, the NSD group was provided with two packs of NSD (Mei Balance, Meiji Holdings, Tokyo, Japan) per day as a snack between meals and before bed. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric data, blood pressure, nutritional status, blood biochemical biomarkers and physical activity were measured before and after 12-week interventions. Results: After 12 weeks of the NSD intervention, body weight, body-mass index, the mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF) score, walking speed, and SF-36 questionnaire score had improved. Moreover, the NSD intervention wasmore effective than the NE intervention alone in improving the body composition, walking speed, MNA-SF score, study of osteoporotic fractures, and SF-36 questionnaire scores in older nursing home residents at risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The oral nutritional supplementwas more effective than NE intervention on improving the nutritional status and physical activity in older nursing home residents who were at risk of malnutrition.