Nurse-led nutritional support for managing chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea and constipation: A pilot trial

A co-designed, nurse-led nutritional support program was delivered over 12 weeks to support patients in managing chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea and constipation (CID/CIC). The intervention comprised face-to-face education, a culturally tailored educational booklet, weekly telephone follow-up, and the promotion of self-management strategies. The face-to-face education session was delivered by a research nurse and focused on assessing the severity of CID/CIC, reviewing participants’ existing pharmacological and non-pharmacological self-management approaches, and evaluating dietary and lifestyle practices. Personalised, symptom-based dietary counselling was provided using a culturally tailored booklet developed specifically for this study. Participants were also trained in the “I Love U” abdominal massage technique through in-person demonstration and received guidance on bowel symptom monitoring and effective communication with healthcare professionals. Each participant received one initial face-to-face education session at baseline, lasting approximately 30–45 minutes. This was followed by weekly nurse-led telephone follow-up calls over the subsequent 12 weeks. During these calls, bowel symptoms were reviewed, key dietary messages were reinforced, patient questions or challenges were addressed, and dietary advice was adjusted as needed in response to symptom changes. Adherence to the intervention was assessed by documenting attendance at the initial face-to-face education session and completion of the scheduled weekly telephone follow-up contacts. Self-management strategies were introduced during the face-to-face education session and reinforced throughout follow-up. These strategies included patient-led dietary modifications, hydration practices, abdominal massage, and bowel symptom monitoring using a diary.