A study in four European countries to examine the importance of sensory attributes of oral nutritional supplements on preference and likelihood of compliance.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A study designed to examine the importance of the sensory attributes of oral nutritional supplements on preference and likelihood of compliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Independent individuals ≥ 50 years not currently receiving oral nutritional supplements were recruited to a two-stage, single-blind, randomised, preference study, conducted in four European countries. Stage 1 consisted of a 5-day trial period during which two units of commonly prescribed oral nutritional supplements were administered, with a different oral nutritional supplements being consumed each day. In Stage 2, all participants consumed two units daily of one oral nutritional supplements for five days and two units daily of a second oral nutritional supplements for a further five days. Using standardised hedonic scales, participants reported their perceptions of each oral nutritional supplements for a range of sensory attributes, and estimated how many units of each oral nutritional supplements they could consume.

RESULTS

One thousand seven hundred seventy one individuals completed the study. The overall opinion of each oral nutritional supplements was strongly correlated with taste (r=0.91; p<0,0001), while unit volume demonstrated a weak relationship (r =0,29; p<0,0001). One oral nutritional supplements (Reformulated Ensure Plus) was preferred overall, scoring significantly higher for taste (p<0,05) and oral sensation (p<0,05) than other oral nutritional supplements.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to the understanding of how sensory attributes, particularly taste and oral sensation, influence preference and compliance to oral nutritional supplements.