From Kitchen to Clinic (NCT07454902)
From Kitchen to Clinic: A Family-Centered, Food-As-Medicine Approach Using Medically Tailored Meals and Caregiver Coaching in Pediatric Oncology Care
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Children receiving cancer treatment often experience nutrition-related challenges, such as changes in appetite, weight, and food intake, due to treatment side effects and the demands placed on families during care. These challenges can increase caregiver stress, reduce diet quality, and contribute to short- and long-term health risks for children. While medically tailored meals have been shown to improve nutrition and reduce burden in adults with serious illness, their use in pediatric cancer care has not been well studied. This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week, family-centered food-as-medicine program for children undergoing active cancer treatment and their caregivers. The program combines weekly delivery of medically tailored meals with individualized caregiver coaching provided by registered dietitian nutritionists. During the first eight weeks, families receive full meal support and weekly coaching sessions, followed by a four-week transition period with tapered meal delivery and bi-weekly coaching to support sustainable nutrition practices. A total of 60 pediatric patients and their caregivers will be enrolled at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The study will assess whether families can be successfully recruited and retained, whether they are able to participate in study activities, and whether the program is acceptable and usable during cancer treatment. The study will also explore preliminary effects on children's dietary intake, weight and growth patterns, treatment tolerance, household nutrition security, and caregiver stress and burden.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age range: 5 Years to 21 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Medically Tailored Meals (OTHER)
- Caregiver Coaching (BEHAVIORAL)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
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💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.