Abstract 10224: What Are the Effects of a Gradual Taste Adaptation Approach in Patients with Heart Failure and Family Caregivers?

Abstract

Introduction: Adherence to the sodium-restricted diet (SRD) remains poor due to multiple barriers. We developed a dyadic intervention, a gradual taste adaptation to SRD to improve adherence to the SRD by overcoming sensory and family barriers. The purpose was to determine the efficacy of the gradual taste adaptation approach on dietary sodium intake, preferences for salty food, and enjoyment of SRD. Hypothesis: There will be a greater decline in dietary sodium intake and preference for salty food and an increase in the enjoyment of SRD at 4 and 12 months in dyads receiving the intervention compared to the dyads receiving usual care. Methods: A total of 158 patients with HF and caregiver dyads were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=79 dyads) or a usual care control group (n=79 dyads). The 12-week intervention was delivered remotely using video conferencing. Outcomes were measured at 4 and 12 months for dyads, including dietary sodium intake using 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and self-reports on preference for salty food and enjoyment of SRD. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine intervention effects. Results: There was no difference in patients’ dietary sodium intake at baseline between the groups. Compared to the control group, patients in intervention significantly reduced dietary sodium intake and greater enjoyment of SRD. Sodium was reduced by 1,144 mg sodium at 4 months and 960 mg at 12 months while ratings of enjoyment of SRD increased at 4 and at 12 months (Figure 1). The intervention was not effective in decreasing the preference for salty food. There were also no significant intervention outcomes effects for caregivers. Conclusions: An innovative approach of gradual taste adaptation demonstrated significant short and long-term effects on reducing dietary sodium intake and enjoyment of SRD for patients. The intervention has the potential to expand the application to individuals who need to follow a SRD.