Effects of nutrition counseling on quality of life in adults with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Xinyi Miao, Zhenzhen Huang, Yuting Wang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed randomized controlled trials of nutrition counseling and quality of life (QoL) in adults with cancer. It included 20 trials involving 1,668 participants; 1,301 contributed post-intervention QoL data. The pooled effect favored counseling (SMD = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.35-1.07; p < 0.001), but results varied substantially across studies (I² = 88.7%). The authors rated the evidence as very low certainty, so the estimated benefit and its consistency across settings remain uncertain.
Key findings
- Across 1,301 participants with post-intervention data, nutrition counseling was associated with higher QoL scores (SMD = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.35-1.07; p < 0.001).
- Between-study heterogeneity was substantial (I² = 88.7%; τ² = 0.587), and the 95% prediction interval ranged from - 0.94 to 2.36.
- Subgroup estimates were higher in studies from Asia (SMD = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.70-2.15; p < 0.001), but subgroup comparisons were exploratory.
- GRADE certainty was rated very low.
Why it matters
Quality of life is an important outcome for adults living with cancer, and nutrition counseling may offer a supportive approach alongside cancer care. The pooled result suggests potential benefit, but substantial variation between trials and very low certainty mean the average estimate should not be assumed to apply consistently across populations or settings.
What to keep in mind
The evidence was rated very low certainty, with substantial heterogeneity and a prediction interval spanning possible effects in either direction. Subgroup findings were study-level and exploratory.