Clinical Research Directory

Anorexia Nervosa, Evaluation and MOdification of Attention

Anorexia nervosa (AN), characterized by abnormally low weight, a significant fear of gaining weight, and impaired body perception, is a psychopathological disorder with a 1% prevalence. This disorder has particularly high relapse and mortality rates, highlighting the need for improved patient care. Indeed, patients are often hospitalized, which cuts them off from their environment and contributes to the high risk of post-hospitalization. It therefore seems essential to develop intervention tools that can be used in daily life, to continue treatment in a self-reliant way outside the hospital. Several factors contributing to the maintenance of AN were identified in the literature, including an attentional bias away from food cues. We can also mention a deficit of interoceptive awareness (i.e. low awareness of one's own bodily signals), as well as higher levels of anxiety than in the general population. Physiological dysfunction has also been observed, both at rest and when exposed to food stimuli. Acting on these aspects has led to clinical improvement in several disorders, including anxiety and alcohol use disorder. Given these elements, the investigators propose the implementation of attentional bias modification training in patients suffering from AN. Attentional bias modification training's first aim would be the reduction of food avoidance, while secondary hypotheses postulate that the intervention could have an effect on interoceptive abilities and physiological functioning. This intervention, which can be used by patients themselves, has also shown its effectiveness in reducing anxiety. A reduction in anorexic symptoms and prognosis improvement is expected.

MAÏA - MAintain the Level of Independence Through Alimentation

Malnutrition has serious consequences: increased risk of falls, hospitalization and mortality. Malnutrition may accompany or aggravate another geriatric syndrome. The loss of muscle mass and function, called "sarcopenia" can itself lead to a loss of physical activity and therefore of independence. It has been reported that changes in the quantity or quality of food intake could influence the onset or progression of sarcopenia. Thus, an optimized oral diet covering the energy and protein needs of the elderly people living in a nursing home is a key element of the malnutrition prevention strategy. It could help slow down the loss of independence and have a direct impact on the occurrence of the complications mentioned above, and therefore on the use of care. In the elderly, as in the general population, the consumption of linoleic acid (LA), precursor of the omega 6 line, is too high, and that of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), precursor of the omega 3 line, insufficient. The French National Institute against Cancer (INCA) 3 survey results indicate for the 65-79 year old population average ALA intakes of 0.9 g/d whereas the recommendation is 2 g/d. The same is true for long-chain n-3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)). There are currently no recommendations specifically concerning nursing home populations. Only recommendations for non-frail people, over the age of 65, exist (ANSES, 2019). Experts recommend maintaining or even slightly increasing the consumption of portions of meat, eggs, fish, fruits and vegetables and dairy products. In the elderly, as in adults, an imbalance of n-6/n-3 PUFA intake or insufficient n-3 PUFA intake could facilitate the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. The possible prevention of other pathologies more specific to the elderly, such as degenerative diseases, makes the consumption of n-3 PUFAs relevant in this population. Our approach aiming to cover the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of n-3 PUFAs via the oral diet is therefore very original. An oral diet containing these different sources of fatty acid intake, of various origins, and other essential nutrients for the elderly, would have the advantage of meeting the nutritional objectives on the one hand, and of offering a wide range of tastes, flavors, and texture, allowing to optimize their consumption by nursing home residents, on the other hand. No study has yet evaluated the benefits of n-3 PUFA intake in dependent elderly people residing in nursing homes, moreover, using loss of independence as the main endpoint. The main objective of the trial is to evaluate the effect of an everyday diet containing n-3 PUFA intakes corresponding to the RDA (population \> 65 years) compared to the usual diet (therefore uncontrolled) on the evolution of the loss of independence at 2 years of nursing home residents.

The PASTDUe Nutrition Ecosystem Project (PASTDUe)

This is a research study to determine if a particular method of providing nutrition improves the clinical outcomes of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who have undergone abdominal surgery and would require nutrition delivered via the bloodstream (called total parenteral nutrition or TPN). The nutrition method we are testing is a structured nutrition delivery plan that involves tube feeding, oral nutrition supplements, and the use of a device (called an indirect calorimeter or IC) to measure calorie needs. This study will also use two devices to measure fat and muscle mass to examine changes during hospitalization. Subjects will be followed throughout hospitalization where nutrition status and fat and muscle mass will be closely monitored. Study activities will begin within 72 hours of a patient's abdominal surgery. TPN (total parenteral nutrition, a method of feeding that bypasses the usual process of eating and digestion) will be started, a non-invasive method of assessing calorie needs (indirect calorimetry (IC)) will be started, a urine sample will be collected to help assist in protein needs, and fat/muscle mass will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and an ultrasound. This is a minimal risk study and all products/devices used are non-invasive and FDA-approved. Indirect calorimetry and urine sample collection will be conducted every 3 days during the stay in the Intensive Care Unit - ICU, then every 5 days until hospital discharge. BIA and muscle ultrasound will be conducted every 7 days during ICU stay, then every 14 days until hospital discharge.