UnknownNot Applicable

Study With an Innovative Equipment to Monitor and Control SALT During Cooking

Portugal260 participantsStarted 2019-06-01

Plain-language summary

In this study, the researchers will evaluate the efficacy of an intervention using the SALT CONTROL H instrument (an innovative equipment to monitor and control salt) in workers at the University of Porto to reduce dietary salt intake. This is a randomized clinical trial with intervention conducted according to good clinical practice guidelines. The researchers will randomize 260 workers who meet the eligibility criteria and are enrolled in occupational health appointments. Prior to the intervention, the informed consent of the participants will be obtained and those who agree to participate will be allocated randomly in one of the two arms of the study (control or intervention), with balance of baseline characteristics (sex and hypertension). The intervention will last for 8 weeks, an individual session of presentation of SALT CONTROL H will be carried out, with explanation of how the equipment works in the culinary preparation with an adequate salt content, will be used an illustrative video and recipes with an adequate salt content; use of SALT CONTROL H at home by the participant to control the use of salt during the cooking process; supervision and enhancement of the use of equipment; daily occurrence log; and the application of a satisfaction questionnaire on the use of SALT CONTROL H. A leaflet will also be delivered about "The new Food Wheel, a guide to the daily food choice!". Control Group: No intervention will be carried out except the provision of a leaflet on "The new Food Wheel, a guide to the daily food choice!" to the participants. Baseline, at the 4th and 8th intervention weeks, and 6 months after intervention analysis will cover the following domains: urinary sodium excretion corresponding to a 24 hour urine collection as a proxy for salt intake; 24-hour urinary potassium excretion, sodium:potassium ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements. Urine samples will be collected according to standardized procedures and analyzed by a certified laboratory. Secondary data such as satisfaction questionnaire, daily use of equipment, iodine analysis of salt used and excreted in urine 24h, hydration status, analysis of quality of life and quality of diet will also be analyzed, as well as intestinal microbiota.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (\> 18 years) * Eat frequently cooked meals at home (\> 4 days a week, of which at least 3 Sundays / month) * Have an occupational health appoitments at São João Hospital * Reported motivation to control salt consumption Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant * Subjects with kidney disease, * Subjects with active infection with an impact on renal function, * Subjects with urinary incontinence, * Subjects with acute coronary syndrome, * Subjects with severe liver disease; * Subjects with heart failure; * Subjects who do not use salt for cooking; * Subjects with hypotension; * Subjects that work at Faculty that are the Sponsor of the study

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This study is focused on monitoring and reducing salt during cooking — given that I have hypertension, would cutting dietary sodium this way be a meaningful enough change to potentially help my blood pressure, or would I still need medication adjustments alongside it?
2The trial measures 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, which means collecting all my urine over a full day — is that something I'd be able to manage practically, and are there any reasons my other health conditions might make that measurement less reliable?
3Since this trial's recruitment status is listed as 'unknown,' do you know whether this study is still actively enrolling patients, and if not, are there similar salt-reduction trials or programs you'd recommend instead?
4The study seems to focus on a cooking device or tool to control salt intake — before I consider something like this, do you think my current sodium intake is actually a significant driver of my hypertension, or are there other factors we should address first?
5If I were to take part in something like this, how would we track whether the salt reduction is actually improving my blood pressure over time, and would we need to adjust any of my current treatments based on those results?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change from Baseline 24h urinary sodium excretion at during and after intervention

Timeframe: Baseline, at the 4th and 8th intervention weeks, and 6 months after intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03974477

SponsorUniversidade do Porto

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-03-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Salt; Excess trials