How are stroke patients supported with eating and drinking
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An in-depth inquiry into how stroke patients are supported with eating and drinking in stroke-units.
IRAS ID
208171
Contact name
Sarah Batt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Stroke is estimated to affect up to 152,000 people per year in the United Kingdom (Townsend et al, 2012). The Stroke Association (2015) suggests that 74% of strokes occur in those over 65 years. Evidence suggests that 8-28% of stroke patients are malnourished at admission to hospital (Yoo et al, 2008; Davis et al, 2004). Some stroke patients require nutrition and hydration via enteral or parenteral (tube feeding) routes. The FOOD trial (Dennis et al, 2006) conclusively established that early tube feeding after stroke for dysphagic patients significantly improves survival rates at six months post stroke. The available evidence suggests stroke patients who can still eat and drink via the oral route but require assistance to do so are not receiving their nutritional requirements whilst in hospital (Mosselman et al, 2013).
There remains a gap in our current understanding specifically in relation to how stroke patients are supported to eat and drink. The aim of this study is to develop an in-depth understanding and explanation of the observed and perceived level of support with eating and drinking for stroke patients during their stroke-unit care. This will be achieved by a series of observations of stroke patients, and the day to day care given them by informal carers (family/friends) and stroke unit staff. Individual interviews of stroke patients, informal carers and stroke unit staff that have been previously observed will be completed. Patients care records will also be analysed for any information relating to support with eating and drinking.
This knowledge will be used to make recommendations which could be used to inform a future intervention for supporting stroke patients with eating and drinking.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0400
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion