Intensive nutritional supplementation improved functional outcome after stroke
QUESTION
Does an intensive nutritional supplement improve functional outcome in undernourished patients in a stroke rehabilitation unit?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
concealed.
Blinding:
blinded (patients, healthcare providers, therapists, data collectors, and outcome assessors).
Follow-up period:
to discharge (mean 26 d).
Setting:
stroke rehabilitation unit in New York, USA.
Patients:
116 patients (mean age 74 y, 59% men) who had had a first stroke <4 weeks before admission to the unit, had ⩾2.5% weight loss within 2 weeks after the stroke, were medically stable, and were able to ingest food orally. Exclusion criteria were dementia, alcohol abuse, renal or liver disease, malabsorption, and terminal illness.
Intervention:
intensive nutritional supplement (240 calories, 11 g of protein) (n = 58) or standard nutritional supplement (127 calories, 5 g of protein) (n = 58), 120 …
