Piloting a Mediterranean Ketogenic Nutrition Program to Address Pain in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPain is a persistent problem in older adults associated with poorer quality of life, greater risk of falls, functional impairment, and risk for cognitive impairment. Psychosocial and lifestyle interventions may be especially important to consider in older populations who may be more susceptible to negative side effects of pain medications. Ketogenic nutrition (KN) is one promising option that may offer a nonpharmacologic pathway for treating pain; however, KN is also a relatively strict and complex diet associated with challenges in dissemination and long‐term adherence, especially in older adults with memory impairments.MethodThis pilot clinical trial (N = 58) evaluated a 6‐week Mediterranean KN program designed to evaluate adherence and preliminary effects of the program on pain in individuals with possible mild cognitive impairment (aged 60‐85). Participants completed daily at‐home urine ketone testing during the program, weekly evaluations of psychosocial and health characteristics, and three in‐person assessments of health, ketones, pain, and other relevant measures.ResultsAnalyses demonstrated significant improvement in pain intensity across the assessment period. Average daily urine ketone level and average self‐reported adherence across the 6‐week program were both positively correlated with improvements in pain‐related quality of life (ps<.05).ConclusionFindings offer preliminary evidence that a group, Mediterranean KN program and adherence to this type of nutrition may reduce the experience of pain and pain‐related outcomes for older adults.