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.