Usefulness of a liquid diet that changes state from liquid to semisolid depending on the pH level (Mermaid®) in post-stroke patients with severe dysphagia
2019 Volume 1 Issue 1 Pages 24-32
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2019 Volume 1 Issue 1 Pages 24-32
Objective: Enteral nutrition with liquid diet is associated with problems such as longer duration in bed and higher incidence of complications in patients with dysphagia undergoing rehabilitation. This study investigated the usefulness of a liquid diet that changes state from liquid to semisolid depending on pH level, the Mermaid® viscosity-changeable liquid diet, in such patients.
Subjects and methods: Subjects were 17 post-stroke patients with dysphagia who were receiving enteral nutrition. They received a conventional liquid diet for 4 weeks, which was then switched to the viscosity-changeable liquid diet for a further 4 weeks. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia or diarrhea, duration in bed, blood glucose excursion, and effects on rehabilitation were compared between the two diet conditions.
Results: After switching to the viscosity-changeable liquid diet, the time for training increased with a decrease in duration in bed, and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia and of diarrhea decreased. Glucose excursion also improved to within normal range. These changes led to a significantly improved performance of activities of daily living.
Conclusion: The Mermaid® viscosity-changeable liquid diet was effective in reducing duration in bed and preventing complications, and is therefore beneficial for post-stroke patients with dysphagia undergoing rehabilitation. The effects were considered to be related to not only the solidification of the diet but also its fiber and alginic acid contents.
