Dietary education programs for adults with neurological diseases: a scoping review protocol

Educommunication in nutrition and neurodegenerative diseases: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Neurodegenerative diseases affect the nervous system and are characterised by the deterioration and/or death of neurons. Nutrition care is essential for maintaining an adequate nutritional status, which influences the prognosis and survival of patients with neurological diseases. Caregivers participate assiduously in the care of these patients and must be integrated into the multidisciplinary team. They often need specific training or knowledge regarding food and nutrition to perform their roles with patients. Health educommunication is a learning tool that can positively influence the appropriation of the theme and the construction of care autonomy. This scoping review (ScR) will map educommunication actions/strategies in nutrition and neurodegenerative diseases.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This ScR will be designed based on the methodology of Arksey and O'Malley and will follow the methodological guidance for conducting a Joanna Briggs Institute ScR. The research question addressed by the scoping review will be: what actions/strategies for educommunication in nutrition and neurodegenerative diseases have been developed for patients or caregivers? Many search sites it will be used in this review, such as electronic databases (Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science), Google Scholar and grey literature sources. No restrictions of date or language will be applied to the search strategy. Two reviewers will independently screen all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. Data, including the study design, objective, study population, neurodegenerative diseases, nutrition topics and educommunication strategies will be logically organised and tabulated in Microsoft Excel.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The data used for this review are from secondary sources and available to the public; thus, no ethical approval and human consent will be required for this study. Dissemination of the results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

Nutrition Education Programs for Adults with Neurological Diseases Are Lacking: A Scoping Review

The nutrition recommendation for most common neurological diseases is to follow national dietary guidelines. This is to mitigate malnutrition, reduce the risk of diet-related diseases, and to help manage some common symptoms, including constipation. Nutrition education programs can support people in adhering to guidelines; hence the aim of this scoping review was to explore what programs have been implemented for adults with neurological diseases. We conducted this review according to a published a priori protocol. From 2555 articles screened, 13 were included (dementia n = 6; multiple sclerosis n = 4; stroke survivors n = 2; Parkinson’s n = 1). There were no programs for epilepsy, Huntington’s, and motor neurone disease. Program duration and number of sessions varied widely; however, weekly delivery was most common. Just over half were delivered by dietitians. Most did not report using a behavior change theory. Commonly used behavior change techniques were instruction on how to perform a behavior, credible source, and behavioral practice/rehearsal. Evidence of nutrition education programs for adults with neurological diseases is lacking. Of those that are published, many do not meet best practice principles for nutrition education regarding delivery, educator characteristics, and evaluation. More programs aligning with best practice principles are needed to assess characteristics that lead to behavior change.