Dietitian-Led Synchronous and Asynchronous Tele-Nutrition in Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

What was studied

This trial tested diet care given at a distance by dietitians. It was for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). One group got live remote care. Another got remote care that was not in real time. A third group was the control. In all, 71 children and their mothers were assigned by chance. Of these, 66 finished follow-up and were analysed. The main outcomes were scores the researchers made themselves. They scored diet problems, tube feeding problems and caregiver feeding problems.

What they found

Both remote care groups had larger drops in diet problem scores than control. Caregiver feeding problem scores also fell more than in control. Neither group differed from control for tube feeding problems. The live and non-live groups did not differ for diet or caregiver feeding problems. Of the quality-of-life areas, only the environment area showed clear group gaps. In the care groups, 38 of 44 people said they were satisfied.

What it means for patients

The authors say remote diet care was linked to larger drops in caregiver feeding problems. This was compared with control. They say child diet problems also fell more than in control. This effect was smaller than the effect on caregiver problems. They say the live and non-live care did not differ on these scores.

Why it is not certain yet

The main scores were made by the researchers. They have no set cut-offs for a change that matters. The authors say larger, longer trials at many centres are needed. Of the 71 children, 66 were in the analysis.

Source

Dietitian-Led Synchronous and Asynchronous Tele-Nutrition in Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

We restate facts from the source record in our own words. The original wording belongs to its publisher.