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Recommended Citation
Kilbride S, Dillon A, Aguilar B. Taste Matters: Innovative Nurse-Led Research in Oncology. Research podium presentation at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Research podium presentation at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background
Taste alteration (TA) affects up to 70% of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy, leading to decreased dietary intake, malnutrition, and poor quality of life. TA is unreported due to lack of taste assessments or toxicity screening, with no known treatment. However, researchers have shown that breast cancer patients were able to control TA with a researcher-delivered intervention. Research is needed to translate this promising strategy for real-world clinical use with populations beyond breast cancer.
Purpose
The study is aimed at testing the effectiveness of a nurse-led TA intervention to reduce symptom intensity for oncology patients initiating chemotherapy.
Methods
This prospective cluster randomized controlled trial will enroll 400 consenting English-speaking decisional adult cancer patients initiating chemotherapy at 8 infusion clinics. It aims to compare usual care versus a nurse-led intervention during the first 4 chemotherapy cycles, with follow-up at six months. The intervention includes using a reliable/valid assessment (Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alterations Scale) and an assessment-based taste intervention teaching sheet developed with input from international experts. Clinic-based nurse co-investigators were trained to recruit patients, deliver assigned interventions, and collect data including dietary outcomes. Repeated measures data analysis will evaluate differences.
Results
The study started at all infusion clinics in December 2024 with expedited IRB review. Clinic-based co-investigators (N=22) completed training and return demonstration on eligibility screening, consenting, utilizing protocol-based assessments and interventions, with secure data storage. A booster training session was held with treatment sites to ensure treatment fidelity. To date, 160 patients have volunteered with few recruitment failures.
Conclusions/Implications
This project began as a question raised by a clinical nurse. The project has evolved into a comprehensive study on track for completion in six months. Study findings will inform patient care and contribute scientific knowledge on the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention to help chemotherapy patients manage TA symptoms.
Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Taste Matters: Innovative Nurse-Led Research in Oncology
Background
Taste alteration (TA) affects up to 70% of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy, leading to decreased dietary intake, malnutrition, and poor quality of life. TA is unreported due to lack of taste assessments or toxicity screening, with no known treatment. However, researchers have shown that breast cancer patients were able to control TA with a researcher-delivered intervention. Research is needed to translate this promising strategy for real-world clinical use with populations beyond breast cancer.
Purpose
The study is aimed at testing the effectiveness of a nurse-led TA intervention to reduce symptom intensity for oncology patients initiating chemotherapy.
Methods
This prospective cluster randomized controlled trial will enroll 400 consenting English-speaking decisional adult cancer patients initiating chemotherapy at 8 infusion clinics. It aims to compare usual care versus a nurse-led intervention during the first 4 chemotherapy cycles, with follow-up at six months. The intervention includes using a reliable/valid assessment (Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alterations Scale) and an assessment-based taste intervention teaching sheet developed with input from international experts. Clinic-based nurse co-investigators were trained to recruit patients, deliver assigned interventions, and collect data including dietary outcomes. Repeated measures data analysis will evaluate differences.
Results
The study started at all infusion clinics in December 2024 with expedited IRB review. Clinic-based co-investigators (N=22) completed training and return demonstration on eligibility screening, consenting, utilizing protocol-based assessments and interventions, with secure data storage. A booster training session was held with treatment sites to ensure treatment fidelity. To date, 160 patients have volunteered with few recruitment failures.
Conclusions/Implications
This project began as a question raised by a clinical nurse. The project has evolved into a comprehensive study on track for completion in six months. Study findings will inform patient care and contribute scientific knowledge on the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention to help chemotherapy patients manage TA symptoms.
Affiliations
Enterprise (across all divisions)