The Food Network Effect

Conditions

• Post Operative Patients

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• Food Related Visual Stimuli Exposure — BEHAVIORAL
  This intervention consists of a structured, non-pharmacologic behavioral exposure to food related visual stimuli delivered during predefined peri-meal periods throughout the postoperative hospitalization. Participants will view food centered television programming (e.g., cooking, baking, or food preparation shows) for a minimum of 15 minutes during each designated meal window: breakfast (7:00-9:00 AM), lunch (12:00-2:00 PM), and dinner (5:00-7:00 PM). Unlike standard television viewing or unrestricted media use, the intervention uses scheduled exposure to food-specific visual content intended to provide cephalic phase sensory stimulation during times corresponding with routine eating periods. The intervention is delivered using existing hospital television resources and does not involve medications, dietary modification, invasive procedures, or additional medical devices. Adherence will be assessed through participant self-report and periodic study team monitoring.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if exposure to food related visual stimuli during the postoperative period can improve gastrointestinal recovery after abdominal surgery in adult patients.The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does structured exposure to food related television programming shorten the time to return of bowel function after surgery? 2. Does exposure to food related visual stimuli reduce postoperative ileus and improve recovery related outcomes such as hospital length of stay, appetite, patient satisfaction, and medication use? Researchers will compare patients receiving structured food related programming during meal periods with patients receiving standard postoperative care to see if food related visual stimulation improves postoperative gastrointestinal recovery. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to either a food-programming group or a standard care group * Watch food-related television programming for at least 15 minutes during scheduled meal-time periods if assigned to the intervention group * Have daily collection of routine postoperative information, including bowel function, medication use, and diet progression * Complete brief optional questions regarding appetite and satisfaction during hospitalization

Key Dates

Start date

Jul 1, 2026

Status verified

May 2026

Primary completion

Jul 1, 2028

Completion

Sep 1, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment

150 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

• Experimental: Food Related TV
  Participants randomized to the intervention arm will receive standard postoperative care in addition to a structured behavioral intervention consisting of exposure to food-related visual stimuli during defined peri-meal periods throughout their postoperative hospitalization. Participants will be asked to watch food related television programming (e.g., cooking, baking, or food-centered shows) for a minimum of 15 minutes during each designated meal window: breakfast (7:00-9:00 AM), lunch (12:00-2:00 PM), and dinner (5:00-7:00 PM). Programming will be delivered using existing in-room hospital television resources and will not alter routine clinical care or dietary management. Compliance with the intervention will be monitored through participant self-report and periodic study team check-ins. Participants will continue all standard postoperative management according to routine clinical practice
• No Intervention: Non-modified postoperative recovery
  Participants randomized to the no-intervention (control) arm will receive standard postoperative care according to routine clinical practice without structured exposure to food-related visual stimuli. Participants may watch television at their discretion during hospitalization; however, they will not receive prompts, assigned programming, or scheduled meal-time viewing instructions. No restrictions will be placed on normal television use or activities during recovery. All other perioperative and postoperative care will remain unchanged and will be managed according to standard clinical protocols

Primary Outcome Measure

Incidence of postoperative ileus [ Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, can vary from 2-10 days ]

Central Contacts

• Casey M Morehouse, DO
  8034130578
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

Find similar trials in Columbia, SC