A Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

120 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-07-26

Study Completion Date

2027-07-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (F\&V) is a cornerstone for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, however less than 16% of Hispanic adults consume the recommended number of servings each day. F\&V prescription (F\&V Rx) programs are embedded into clinical settings and provide patients with vouchers to purchase F\&V at local retailers. The proposed study aims to test the effects of a F\&V Rx on diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) uptake and retention, dietary intake of F\&V and diet quality, glucose control (hemoglobin A1c), and program implementation outcomes.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Treating Type 2 Diabetes by Reducing Postprandial Glucose Elevations: A Paradigm Shift in Lifestyle Modification

NCT03196895

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

COMPLETED NA

More Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program for Families With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

NCT05138432

Type 2 Diabetes

RECRUITING NA

Dulce Digital-Project Dulce 2.0 Texting Study

NCT01749176

Diabetes

COMPLETED NA

Attitudes and Unmet Needs Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

NCT05737810

Type 2 Diabetes

COMPLETED

Treating Early Type 2 Diabetes by Reducing Postprandial Glucose Excursions: A Paradigm Shift in Lifestyle Modification

NCT05766735

Type 2 Diabetes

RECRUITING NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Consuming a nutrient-dense diet, rich in fruits and vegetables (F\&Vs) is at the cornerstone of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) treatment. Yet, among Hispanic adults, only 16% meet the recommended minimum F\&V intake recommendations and have higher rates of T2DM than non-Hispanic whites (16.6% versus 13.3%, respectively). F\&V Prescription (F\&V Rx) programs are embedded in clinical settings, target medically high-risk patients such as those with T2DM, and provide them with vouchers to purchase F\&V at local retailers. Preliminary F\&V Rx studies in patients with T2DM have found F\&V intake increases of 0.2-1.6 servings per day and hemoglobin A1c (A1c) reductions from 0.35-0.71% \[3.8 -7.8 mmol/mol\]. However, none of these studies included diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) which can lead to A1c decreases from 0.24% to 1.0% \[2.6-10.9 mmol/mol\]. The team conducted a pilot F\&V Rx study where DSME/S attendance was incentivized by providing a F\&V Rx at each session. Although DSME/S uptake is typically very low after referral (around 5-7%), the program had a 73% first session attendance rate. Further, at 7 months post-program, a clinically- and statistically-significant reduction was found in A1c of 1.3% \[14.2 mmol/mol\] (p=.001). Although the receipt of the F\&V Rx vouchers was contingent upon DSME/S attendance in the study, other T2DM-focused F\&V Rx studies did not have DSME/S attendance requirements and also saw A1c reductions. Thus, understanding the effect of a F\&V Rx on DSME/S uptake and retention with and without attendance requirements is a key design issue that must be evaluated. This proposal is in response to PAS 20-160 for short-term, pilot randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to acquire preliminary data regarding trial design. The team proposes a 3-Arm, 16-week, pilot RCT (n=120) for low-income adults (aged 18+) with T2DM (A1c \>7% \[53 mmol/mol\]). The control group (n=40) will receive usual care (UC). The two intervention groups (n=40 each) will receive UC plus a F\&V Rx that is either independent of DSME/S attendance (F\&V Rx alone) or dependent on DSME/S attendance (F\&V Rx + DSME/S). First, the investigators will systematically explore the impact of a F\&V Rx on uptake and retention in DSME/S. Next, the investigators will explore changes in A1c, and diet-related outcomes. Finally, with implementation in mind, the investigators will use Proctor's implementation taxonomy, and the cultural adaptation framework from Castro et al., to assess program appropriateness, acceptability, and sustainability with both participants and clinical care providers. The study team and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) have the research, clinical expertise, and established retail network necessary to conduct a F\&V Rx trial in a low-income, Hispanic community. The findings of this trial will inform the design of a future, fully powered RCT and address gaps in knowledge related to how F\&V Rx programs impact T2DM-related outcomes. If effective, F\&V Rx programs have the potential to improve diabetes self-management and reduce the clinical burden of poor glycemic control, particularly in low-income, Hispanic communities.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Complications

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Usual Care Control Group

Will receive usual care

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Usual Care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Visit with a primary care provider and referral for diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) sessions

F&V Rx Alone Group

Will receive 4 monthly F\&V Rx vouchers regardless of their DSME/S attendance.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

F&V Rx alone

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Usual Care plus four F\&V prescriptions that are independent of DSME/S attendance

F&V Rx + DSME/S Group

Will receive monthly F\&V Rx vouchers starting at the first group session and they will receive additional F\&V Rx vouchers only when they attend a monthly DSME/S group (up to 4 total)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

F&V Rx plus DSME/S

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Usual Care plus four F\&V prescriptions that are dependent on DSME/S attendance

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Usual Care

Visit with a primary care provider and referral for diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) sessions

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

F&V Rx alone

Usual Care plus four F\&V prescriptions that are independent of DSME/S attendance

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

F&V Rx plus DSME/S

Usual Care plus four F\&V prescriptions that are dependent on DSME/S attendance

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Patient at Penn State Health St. Joe's Medical Center
* Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus greater than or equal to six months
* A1c level is greater than or equal to 7% (53 mmol/mol)
* Low income defined as enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is uninsured or have Medicaid, or identifying as food insecure based on USDA criteria.
* Ability to give a blood sample
* Willing to respond to contacts from study staff over the study period
* Willing and able to give informed consent
* Can read and write in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria

* Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus less than six months
* Patients who have previously participated in the Veggie Rx program in the past year
* Patients who have attended any diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) sessions in the past year
* Women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant during the study period
* Any uncontrolled mental illness or substance abuse, or inpatient treatment for these in the past six months
* Any unstable or significant medical condition in the past 3 months (e.g. recent heart attack, stroke, DVT)
* A1c level is less than 7%
* Does not speak English or Spanish
* Inability to provide informed consent
* Unable to give a blood sample

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No