Systematic literature review of randomized control trials assessing the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objective: Nutrition interventions may play an important role in maintaining the health and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. To the authors' knowledge, no systematic literature review has been conducted on the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in the community-dwelling older adult population.

Design: Systematic literature review followed by descriptive data extraction and critical appraisals for studies meeting inclusion criteria.

Setting: Medical Literature and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing nutrition interventions in community-dwelling older adults.

Participants: Fifteen RCTs involving nutrition-related outcomes in community-dwelling older adults.

Analysis: Descriptive data extraction and critical appraisals using the Jaded scale. Outcome measures included study blinding, allocation concealment, intention-to-treat analysis, and a priori calculations.

Results: Ten RCTs involved nutrition counseling, education, or dietary advice, whereas 5 involved nutrition supplements. Jaded scores ranged from 1 (n = 8) to 2 (n = 4) to 4 (n = 3). Ten RCTs reported positive results post-intervention.

Conclusions and implications: Nutrition counseling interventions involving active participation and collaboration showed the most promise in affecting positive nutrition-related outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. Future research should determine which nutrition interventions will benefit community-dwelling older adults with less active participation and health perceptions, and lower educational attainment.