A remote Whole Food Dietary Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Improve Diet Quality in Lymphoma Survivors: Results of a Feasibility Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT

Long-term, persistent cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common side effect reported by lymphoma survivors. CRF reduces quality of life, and treatments are limited. This pilot study aimed to determine feasibility of recruiting and retaining diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) survivors in a 12-week remote Fatigue Reduction Diet (FRD) intervention and evaluate preliminary efficacy of the intervention. Participants met remotely with a registered dietitian nutritionist for eight individual sessions. FRD goals included consuming specific fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acid rich foods. Acceptability was assessed by session attendance, FRD goal attainment, and exit surveys. Self-reported dietary intake and fatigue were measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and PROMIS Fatigue Short Form, respectively, at baseline and post-intervention. Ten DLBCL survivors enrolled; nine attended all sessions and completed the intervention. Weekly adherence to targeted food intake goals improved significantly throughout the study (all p < 0.05), with participants meeting goals over 4 day per week by week 11. Mean[SD] diet quality improved significantly from baseline (65.9[6.3]) to post-intervention (82.2[5.0], p < 0.001). Mean[SD] fatigue reduced significantly from baseline (50.41[9.18]) to post-intervention (45.79[6.97], p < 0.05). The 12-week remote FRD intervention was feasible, acceptable, and holds promise to improve diet quality and fatigue in DLBCL survivors.