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Development and Testing of Nutritional Algorithms (NACHO)

Development and Usability Testing of Nutrition Algorithms for Cancer Health Outcomes (NACHO) and Quality of Life During Cancer Treatment

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05825469
Enrollment
130
Registered
2023-04-24
Start date
2026-09-01
Completion date
2027-03-31
Last updated
2026-02-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Nutritional Deficiency, Nutrition Poor, Quality of Life

Keywords

Poor Nutrition, Nutritional Deficiency, Quality of Life

Brief summary

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)

Detailed description

This is a longitudinal, mixed-methods, pilot descriptive study to develop a nutrition algorithm for cancer patients based on the Cancer Nutrition Consortium (CNC) study findings and refined through a dietitian panel participants and from feedback from participants and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) members. Research study procedures include screening for eligibility, interviews and/or focus groups, dietitian panel meetings, and surveys. Participation in this study is expected to last about 12 months. It is expected about 130 people will participate in this research study.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALNutrition Algorithm

A technology-based platform for a person-centered nutrition program, providing suggested foods and recipes from dietitians.

Sponsors

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER
Cancer Nutrition Consortium Inc.
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

for Dietitians/Oncology clinicians - Have worked with at least 3 patients at the study site who had nutritional challenges Inclusion Criteria for Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) participants * Current member of adult PFAC * \> 18 years old Inclusion Criteria for Patient participants * \> 18 years old * Able to speak and read English * Completed primary treatment (aim 2b) or actively undergoing treatment (aim 2b and aim 3, exploratory) * Access to a device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone) through which they can receive and engage with a REDCap link

Exclusion criteria

for Patient Participants • Provider does not recommend

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Nutrition Algorithm12 monthsPrimary study endpoint is development of a nutrition algorithm using the Cancer Nutrition Consortium (CNC) study findings and iteratively refine through an expert Dana-Farber Cancer Institute dietary panel along with consultations from oncology clinicians as needed and feedback from a panel of 4-6 Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) members. Specific to data analyses, chi square, fisher's exact tests, and linear regression will be used to evaluate characteristics associated with changes in taste and different food preferences over time. Findings will inform the development of the algorithms.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Acceptability of Nutrition Algorithm for Cancer Health Outcomes (NACHO) ProgramUp to 8 monthsAssessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), a 10-item instrument with scores that range from 0-100 with higher scores representing greater usability. Acceptability is defined as a SUS score of \>70.
Participant SatisfactionUp to 8 monthsAssessed using the Acceptability e-Scale (AES), a six-item scale that measures how easy, enjoyable, understandable, and helpful the intervention is. Total scores range from 6-30 with higher scores representing greater acceptability. Acceptability is defined as a AES score of \>24.
Panel member characteristics (Aims 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) - AgeUp to 12 monthsAge group (i.e., 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+)
Panel member characteristics (Aims 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) - Gender identityUp to 12 monthsGender identity (i.e., female, male, other\_\_\_\_, prefer not to answer)
Panel member characteristics (Aims 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) - EthnicityUp to 12 monthsEthnicity (i.e., Hispanic/Latinx / non-Hispanic/non-Latinx, prefer not to answer)
Panel member characteristics (Aims 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) - RaceUp to 12 monthsRace (i.e., Black, Caucasian, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, multiracial, prefer not to answer)
Panel member characteristics (Aims 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) - PositionUp to 12 monthsPosition / role and years in position (non-patient panel members only) (fill in)
Characteristics of the cohort of 100 patients (Aim 3) - AgeUp to 12 monthsAge group (i.e., 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+)
Characteristics of the cohort of 100 patients (Aim 3) - Gender identityUp to 12 monthsGender identity (i.e., female, male, other\_\_\_\_, prefer not to answer)
Characteristics of the cohort of 100 patients (Aim 3) - ethnicityUp to 12 monthsEthnicity (i.e., Hispanic/Latinx / non-Hispanic/non-Latinx, prefer not to answer)
Characteristics of the cohort of 100 patients (Aim 3) - raceUp to 12 monthsRace (i.e., Black, Caucasian, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, multiracial, prefer not to answer)
Characteristics of the cohort of 100 patients (Aim 3) - BMIUp to 12 monthsBody mass index will will be calculated from weight in pounds and height in inches using the formula: weight (lb) / \[height (in)\]squared x 703
Characteristics of the cohort of 100 patients (Aim 3) - ComorbiditiesUp to 12 monthsComorbidities: Number of comorbidities (e.g., heart disease, diabetes) will be abstracted from electronic health records
Global HealthUp to 12 monthsPROMIS-10 Global Health Questionnaire v.1.2 is an NIH-developed, valid and reliable instrument that will be used to assess functional status and quality of life. Higher scores represent better health. Scores will be computed to identify global physical and mental health component scores. Participant patients will complete this assessment at baseline, 2 months, and 5 months (visits 1, 3, and 6, respectively). T-scores will be used in the analysis to identify characteristics associated with other participant patients at the same global health levels. Changes in T-scores over time will be compared with changes in BMI and associated with utilization of the nutrition algorithm.
Symptom QuestionsUp to 12 monthsPatient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAETM) will be used to collect data on the occurrence, severity, and level of interference with daily activities for sleep quality (i.e., insomnia), pain, fatigue, and depression (i.e., anxiety, discouraged, sad) at baseline, 2 months, and 5 months (respectively visits 1, 3, and 6). Higher scores will indicate worse symptom experiences. T-scores will be used in the analysis to identify characteristics associated with other participant patients at the same global health levels. Changes in T-scores over time will be compared with changes in BMI and associated with utilization of the nutrition algorithm.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTMarilyn Hammer, MD
MarilynJ_Hammer@dfci.harvard.edu617-632-1909
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMarilyn Hammer, MD

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 7, 2026