A multi-center, prospective, single-arm, open label, 13-month intervention study of a plant-based, high energy and protein enteral tube feed in home enterally tube fed patients.

INTRODUCTION: There is an emerging need for plant-based options for home enteral tube feeding (HETF) patients, however their long-term efficacy and safety needs to be established. METHODS: Forty-one HETF patients (age: 51 years (SD 23); range 19-84 years; 54% male) participated in a multi-center, prospective, single-arm, open label, 13-month intervention study of a plant-based, high energy, high protein (2 kcaL/mL and 10 g protein/100 mL) enteral tube feed with or without added fiber (1.5 g/100 mL). Seventeen patients continued on the plant-based feed beyond day 28 (28 D) with a 6- and 13-month follow-up (6 M and 13 M). Outcomes included gastrointestinal tolerance (GI), anthropometrics, muscle strength and function (handgrip strength, 30-s chair stand test (30SCST)), dietary intake, total daily feed volume and time for feeding, and safety. RESULTS: Compared to patient's baseline feeding regimen, patients using the plant-based feed reported: greater absence of GI symptoms at all time points (+7-12%,  ≤ 0.04); a reduced incidence and intensity of GI symptoms: bloating, burping at 28 D ( < 0.05) and constipation, flatulence at 13 M ( < 0.05); improved physical function between 6 M and 13 M (+2 30SCST repetitions,  = 0.02), with maintenance of body weight, calf circumference and handgrip strength; total protein intake increased at all time points (+0.2-0.3 g/kg/day,  < 0.05); and total daily feed volume (-225 to -264 mL/day,  < 0.05) and estimated time for pump feeding (-2 h/day,  < 0.05) reduced at all time points. DISCUSSION: This longitudinal study highlights that a plant-based (vegan-suitable) high energy, high protein enteral tube feed has good tolerance in HETF patients, positive long-term effects on protein intake and potential benefits on physical function.

Citation

Hubbard GP, Griffen C, Capener R, Wyer N, Martin R, Raif R, Green L, Sutcliffe S, Michaels E, Dube Y, Bates J, Bidgood A, Brici C, Griffith DJ, Meanwell H, Diamond E, Lennon C, Lewis L, Chandler L, Szymanski L, Ward J, Banks C, Nosworthy K, Glanville N, Richardson S, Hardy M, Morris S, Robinson C, Lumsdon A, Hatchett N, Allan L, McNaughton R, Campbell A, Baxter J, Owen S, Blackburn N, Tripp E, Hitchings H, Cooper SC, McCloskey A, Lewis H, Stratton RJ. A multi-center, prospective, single-arm, open label, 13-month intervention study of a plant-based, high energy and protein enteral tube feed in home enterally tube fed patients. Front Nutr. 2025 Sep 1;12:1621993. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1621993.

Type

Journal Article