Student Competition (Clinical/Best Practice Implementation) ID 1983939

Background Previous research has shown that an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce inflammation and improve health outcomes in individuals with neurological disability; however, long term dietary adherence has proven to be challenging. Accordingly, we have designed a 2-part consultation targeted at identified barriers for adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet in this population. Objectives This study aimed to determine the effects of the consultation on self-efficacy for adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet, as well as adherence and health outcomes one month post-intervention. Design/Methods Eleven individuals (10 female, age 51.5±12.6 years) with neurological disability (7 multiple sclerosis, 3 spinal cord injury, 1 muscular dystrophy; 20.5±10.6 years post-injury/diagnosis) participated. The intervention group (n=7) received recipes for an anti-inflammatory diet and the 2-part consultation, while controls (n=4) received the recipes only. The consultation consisted of a home-visit that included cooking and accessible kitchen equipment demonstrations, and an accompanied trip to the grocery store. Results Both task and barrier self-efficacy improved immediately following the consultation and tended to stay above baseline one month post-intervention. The consultation was also associated with increased dietary adherence one month post-intervention and decreased depressive symptoms as measured by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Changes in dietary adherence (r=-0.61; p=0.045), and barrier self-efficacy (r=-0.77; p=0.009) were negatively correlated to changes in CES-D scores. Conclusions A consultation targeted at barriers related to anti-inflammatory eating can improve self-efficacy for adherence as well as actual adherence and depressive symptomology one month later. Further follow-up studies to determine the persistence of these effects are warranted.