Clinical Research Directory

The Florida ASCENT Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to adapt, implement, and evaluate MyCarePulse and ASCENT patient navigator to overcome barriers to care among patients with cancer. The main hypotheses it aims to test are: * At the patient level, the intervention will result in higher levels of food security, self- efficacy for dietary behaviors, and higher diet quality than standard care. * At the provider level, the intervention will be feasible, acceptable, appropriate, and able to enhance individualized care for patient wellness. Researchers will compare cancer patients receiving the MyCarePulse and ASCENT patient navigator intervention to those receiving standard care, to see if the intervention improves food security, self-efficacy, and diet quality. Phase 1 Patient Participants will: * Complete the ASCENT Questionnaire, which is comprised of the following: * U.S. Food Security Survey Module (U.S. FSSM) * Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) * Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24®) Dietary Assessment Tool * Be assessed using the Veggie Meter instrument * Participate in two semi-structured interviews Provider Participants will: •Participate in one semi-structured interview Phase 2 Patient Participants will: * Participate in ASCENT patient navigator screenings and consultations * Complete the ASCENT Questionnaire, which comprises the U.S. FSSM, PROMIS-29, and ASA24®

Nutrition Care in Patients Living With Chronic Pain

The investigators' purpose is to develop and test the feasibility, usability, and satisfaction of the Diet4painrelief app as a platform for implementing nutrition care in a specialist pain rehabilitation clinic. The Diet4painrelief will consist of two components: a) a screening tool for nutrition status b) an individually tailored behavior change program aiming to improve the dietary habits and behaviors of patients living with chronic pain. Part I: Included 20 patients with complex chronic pain to examine the feasibility and outcomes of evidence-based Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program (IPRP) integrated with nutrition care. The Diet4painrelief includes a screening tool to assess basic nutritional status as well as their intake of key unhealthy and healthy foods and drinks (through three 24hour-dietary recordings or food diary). Thereafter, the patients receive a personalized behavior change program for dietary optimization. The investigators will design and adapt 6 modules in the digital platform (Diet4painrelief app) based on the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) recommendations (6 aspects about 'nutrition and pain') and Sweden's food culture. Clinical outcomes using patient-reported data on socio-demographics, pain aspects, psychometric data, physical disability, and quality of life will be measured at three occasions: first appointment (Pre-IPRP), immediately after completing the rehabilitation program (Post-IPRP), and at a 12-month follow-up (FU-IPRP). Blood samples will be taken to identify biomarkers at the same occasions that provide objective information on metabolic and nutritional abnormalities and further to evaluate the effect of the dietary intervention on changing of pain rehabilitation outcomes. Part II: Included 192 patients with complex chronic pain. Half of the participants receive IPRP and nutrition care (described above) and the other half receive standard IPRP.

Development and Testing of Nutritional Algorithms (NACHO)

The goal of this research study is to develop a nutrition algorithm to optimize nutritional status and improve quality of life during for participants who are completing or have completed cancer treatment. The name of the intervention used in this research study is: Nutrition Algorithm for Cancer Health Outcomes (NACHO) (a technology-based platform that houses the algorithms for the person-centered nutrition program)

Addressing Food Insecurity: Plant-Based Food Prescription Program

Reduce food insecurity by improving plant-based health food consumption, access, health and nutrition literacy and the health of the food-insecure families we serve.

Nutrition and Obesity in Under-Represented Populations: Food Insecurity Research to Advance Science and Improve Health

Food insecurity is associated with obesity in children, and childhood obesity leads to long term health consequences. While existing research shows that food benefit programs reduce food insecurity, little is known about the mediating factors between food benefit programs and child health. The purpose of this study is to understand if the resolution of food insecurity in young children with early onset obesity can improve body mass index (BMI) over one year, and if so, by what mechanisms. The investigators will conduct a randomized comparative effectiveness study among infants (n=228) aged 12 months at risk for food insecurity and deliver two different food security interventions. Both will provide families with $50/week for one year of study enrollment. The first group will receive this as an unrestricted cash benefit ("cash benefit group") and the second group will receive this as a benefit in the form of weekly grocery purchases with the support of a trained nutrition expert to guide healthy grocery purchasing ("grocery benefit group"). The investigators will also construct a contemporary comparison cohort of infants meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria from the electronic health record, using propensity score matching to allow comparisons between both intervention groups and usual care. The primary endpoint is difference in BMI at 12 months post-enrollment (24 months of age). Secondary outcomes include measures of nutrition, food security, electronic health record data related to general child health, and other factors related to parental stress and unmet social needs. Patients will have the opportunity to participate in post-study interviews to report on intervention satisfaction, and facilitators and barriers of infant feeding. Data analysis will be conducted by a trained statistician (Duke Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design; BERD) and will employ a two-means test for a repeated-measures design. The benefits to participants outweigh the minimal risks of loss of privacy, and confidential information will be managed carefully to minimize this risk.

Digital Nutrition Intervention for Older Adults

The "digital divide" or gap in technological access and knowledge, for older adults has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to disruptions in services like congregate meal programs funded by the Older Americans Act. Seven San Antonio congregate meal sites remained partially open biweekly to distribute meals but no longer offer in-person nutrition education, physical activity classes, and social activities. The proposed project will test the efficacy of digital nutrition intervention with at-risk older adults who attend congregate meal center in areas of high poverty and digital exclusion. The study is uses a stepped-wedge cluster clinical trial. Key community partners with the Department of Health Services Senior Services Division and Older Adult Technology Services (OATS) will participate in the planning phase, research design, and implementation of the study. The study aims are: 1. To test the impact of a technology-based intervention on the primary outcomes of food security and diet quality; 2. To determine the effect of the intervention on secondary outcomes of technology knowledge and usage, physical activity, and social isolation and loneliness; 3. To examine the long-term impact and sustainability of technology use on food security, diet quality, physical activity, and social isolation. If successful, the impact of this program could be applied throughout the national OATS network and to similar CMPs to bridge the digital divide beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

Effect of Iodine-containing Multiple Micronutrient During Lactation on Infant Neurodevelopment

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effects of iodine-containing multiple micronutrient supplements provided to breastfeeding mothers who live in settings with mild iodine deficiency. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What are the effects of iodine-containing multiple micronutrient supplements provided to breastfeeding mothers on infant development, as measured by electroencephalography/visual evoked potentials? 2. What are the effects of iodine-containing multiple micronutrient supplements on breast milk concentrations of iodine, and infant iodine and thyroid status? 3. How do iodine and iron interact with each other to affect thyroid function in the mother during lactation? Participants will be randomized to receive a daily multiple micronutrient tablet containing iodine (UNIMAPP) for 6 months postpartum, or routine postnatal care per Ethiopia Ministry of Health. Mothers will provide a breast milk sample and blood at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Infants will provide a urine sample and drop of blood, and have a neurodevelopmental assessment at 3 and 6 months. Researchers will compare the groups that received the iodine-containing micronutrient supplement with the group that received routine care and see if there were any benefits on infant development and iodine and thyroid status in the mother and baby.

Linking Education, Produce Provision, and Community Referrals to Improve Diabetes Care (LINK)

This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (pRCT) that aims to test the effect of produce provision, diabetes education, and community referrals on hemoglobin A1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes experiencing food insecurity.

Extending the Validation of SCREEN to Persons Living With Dementia or in Retirement Homes

Older adults (≥ 55 years) who do not eat enough nutritious food are at risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition can lead to frailty, hospitalization, poor quality of life, and death. SCREEN (Seniors in the Community Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition) is the leading nutrition risk screening tool for cognitively well older adults living in the community. The purpose of this study is to determine if SCREEN can be used to find nutrition risk among older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia (i.e., MCI-D) or those with a MoCA \< 26 living in the community and persons living in retirement homes. SCREEN and other nutrition and health measures will be completed in 600 older adults (300 living in retirement homes with or without MCI-D, and 300 living with MCI-D in the community). SCREEN will be completed twice to determine reliability, and persons with MCI-D will have their results compared to those of a caregiver who completes it on their behalf. A dietitian's assessment and rating of nutrition risk will be used as the gold-standard to determine validity.

Implementation of P-INPAC

The framework for Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (P-INPAC) was developed by the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force (CMTF); however, it has not been implemented in a research setting. The framework by CMTF for Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (INPAC) in adults was also implemented in the "More-2-Eat" project which led to development of best practices in nutritional culture of the hospitals. Therefore, we intend to undertake this feasibility project at 3-sites to train staff and evaluate the implementation of P-INPAC components as part of routine healthcare procedure.

Three Channel Food Concept: the Effect Meal Service on Food Intake During Hospitalization

The goal of this observational study is to assess food intake in hospitalized patients. The present study will evaluate the impact of a novel in-hospital meal concept (three channel food concept) on total energy and protein intake, macronutrient distribution, and patient appreciation Food intake will be assessed (as part of usual care) by weighing all leftovers (e.g. food that patients did not consume).