The study

Nutrition supplementation consisted of high-energy, high-protein drinks (sometimes enriched with omega-3s), with dosages of 120 to 750 milliliters per day, for 4 to 24 weeks. The control groups were given standard care and nutrition counseling.

Nutrition supplementation improved fatigue (6 studies; large effect size), quality of life (9 studies; large effect size), and weight gain (17 studies; +1.2 kg/2.6 lb), compared with the controls. No changes were observed in BMI, CRP, serum albumin, or subjective well-being.

Dose-response analysis suggests 200 milliliters may be enough to improve fatigue and quality of life, but the largest reductions were at 500 milliliters per day or more.

The risk of bias was high for all of the studies.

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The results

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    This Study Summary was published on April 16, 2025.

    References

    1. ^Arends J, Bachmann P, Baracos V, Barthelemy N, Bertz H, Bozzetti F, Fearon K, Hütterer E, Isenring E, Kaasa S, Krznaric Z, Laird B, Larsson M, Laviano A, Mühlebach S, Muscaritoli M, Oldervoll L, Ravasco P, Solheim T, Strasser F, de van der Schueren M, Preiser JCESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients.Clin Nutr.(2017 Feb)
    2. ^Van Cutsem E, Arends JThe causes and consequences of cancer-associated malnutrition.Eur J Oncol Nurs.(2005)
    3. ^Arends JMalnutrition in cancer patients: Causes, consequences and treatment options.Eur J Surg Oncol.(2024 May)