Medically Tailored Meals During Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Recruitment and retention rates for the pilot trial were 65% and 69%, respectively.

• Thirteen patients were successfully randomized out of those approached.
• Six participants were randomized to the carbohydrate-restricted high-fat (CRHF) diet and seven to the standard diet (SD).
• Recruitment rate was 65% and retention rate was 69%.
• The trial enrolled newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Adherence to medically tailored meals was high in both diet groups.

• MTM adherence averaged 92% in the CRHF group.
• MTM adherence averaged 96% in the SD group.
• Participants received isocaloric MTMs daily for two weeks pre-radiotherapy and during radiotherapy.
• Participants also reported high MTM satisfaction.

CRHF participants exhibited descriptive patterns suggesting greater muscle preservation and fat loss compared to standard diet participants.

• CRHF meals contained approximately 30% carbohydrate, 45% fat, and 25% protein.
• SD meals contained approximately 50% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 20% protein.
• These body composition findings are described as exploratory and descriptive, intended to inform future trial design.
• The sample size was small (n=6 CRHF, n=7 SD), limiting inferential conclusions.

Higher adherence to either diet was associated with less weight loss during radiotherapy.

• This finding applied across both the CRHF and SD groups.
• Weight and muscle loss during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer are described as common clinical problems.
• The association was observed descriptively in the context of the pilot trial.
• Adequate calorie and protein intake was noted as potentially supporting weight maintenance.

The macronutrient composition of diets for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy remains understudied.

• While adequate calorie and protein intake may support maintenance, macronutrient composition has not been well investigated.
• This pilot trial was designed to assess feasibility and acceptability rather than efficacy.
• The authors conclude that a 'Food is Medicine' approach may warrant further investigation in a larger trial design to assess efficacy.
• The trial delivered home-delivered medically tailored meals, representing a practical 'Food is Medicine' intervention model.