The N-ICE CREAM Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of the taste and acceptability of a new ice cream based supplement (Nottingham-Ice cream) compared to standard hospital milkshake in older people in hospital who have suffered a broken bone: A randomised controlled crossover trial
IRAS ID
313933
Contact name
Opinder Sahota
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Malnutrition is eating a diet which does not supply enough nutrients. Malnutrition affects approximately a third of hospitalised adult patients. Nutritional status often deteriorates during hospital stay. Malnutrition is common in older patients, specifically those admitted with broken (fractured) bones eg hip and spine fractures. Malnutrition causes considerable illness and death in these patients and is having a devastating effect on quality of life.
Oral nutritional Supplements (ONS) are sterile liquids, semi-solids or powder which provide energy, protein and other nutrients. They are used to help improve overall energy and protein intake. Studies demonstrate ONS have many positive effects including reducing length of hospital stay, illness and death. It is routine practice at Nottingham University Hospitals to prescribe patients with certain (hip and spine) fractures a milkshake ONS during their stay and an additional nutritional supplement. Unfortunately, research has shown older patients consuming less than a third of the milkshake ONS, is not well tolerated. ONS can only support nutritional status and wellbeing if patients comply with the volume and frequency prescribed.
It is essential to find ONSs that are tasty and more accepted. Ice cream presents as a new alternative style of ONS. Standard ice cream is widely accepted by patients however, it is low in energy and protein, high in sugar.
We propose trialing a new ice cream; Nottingham-Ice cream (N-ICE CREAM), which is rich in energy and protein with added vitamin D and an additional special protein called leucine. Vitamin D is important for bone health and leucine is important for muscle health. Using a randomised controlled crossover design, our trial aims to find out whether older patients with fractures receiving ONS prefer the milkshake ONS or N-ICE CREAM.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0363
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion