Food Texture, Eating Rate and Food Intake in Care Home Older Adults. (NCT06832488) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Food Texture, Eating Rate and Food Intake in Care Home Older Adults.
United Kingdom30 participantsStarted 2025-07-29
Plain-language summary
It's estimated that around 1 in 10 older adults are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition in the UK. In comparison with the general older adult population, care home residents are more likely to be underweight. Many factors can affect food intake and choices of older adults. The previous studies of this PhD project have shown that 1) older adults who eat slower, consume less food and 2) that there are food textures that are consumed at a significantly faster pace than others. Following these results, this research will specifically aim to test if providing meals including food textures that require reduced oral processing can increase eating rate and total food intake in care home dwelling older adults. The potential benefits of this research is to inform how providing appropriate food textures can increase older adults (dwelling in care homes) eating speed, ease oral processing and consequently improve food intake, which can help towards better overall health and quality of life.
Participants will be asked to take part in two study days, one week apart. On the one day they will consume all meals including textures that require reduced oral processing ("easier" food textures), and on the other day all meals including textures that require increased oral processing ("more difficult" food textures). The meals will be balanced for energy content per portion, and all foods will be within the normal range of foods provided in care homes. The researchers will record food and energy intake from each meal, duration of meal and calculate eating rate of each meal.
The research will be recruiting from care homes around England, who have reviewed and agreed will all parts of the research. Participants who consume a regular diet can be included.
Who can participate
Age range
65 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:
Care homes:
Care or residential homes, that host older adult residents that are not in end-of-life care or have solely nursing needs
Participants:
* Aged 65+
* Permanent care home residents, living in the care home for at least one month
* Able to provide consent or if not having capacity to consent to have a consultee that can provide consent (noting that residents without capacity to consent will be asked for their assent)
* Able to consume a "regular" care home diet
* Not on any special diet (i.e., for dysphagia, kidney disease etc.)
* Able to consume at least 1 meal a day
* Not being critically ill or on end-of-life care
* Not allergic or intolerant or dislike completely any foods or ingredients in the meals provided
Exclusion Criteria:
Care homes:
That solely provide nursing or end-of-life care
Participants:
* Aged \<65 years
* Not living in a care home or living in the care home for less than one month
* Not able to provide consent either by themselves or by a consultee
* Under a special diet and/or not able to consume a "regular" care home diet
* Not able to consume at least 1 meal a day
* Being critically ill/end of life care
* Having allergies/intolerances/aversions to ingredients and foods of the meals provided
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.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
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.