A Study of Healthy Microbiome, Healthy Mind

Launched by MAYO CLINIC · Aug 28, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "A Study of Healthy Microbiome, Healthy Mind," is looking at whether eating a diet rich in fermented foods can help improve the quality of life for people who have survived serious illnesses, including severe COVID-19. The researchers believe that this diet might support gut health and reduce inflammation in the gut, which could lead to better mental and physical well-being after experiencing critical illness.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be between the ages of 65 and 74, have survived a critical illness (like severe COVID-19) and spent at least 48 hours in the ICU, and have some mild cognitive or mental health issues. They should also have a smartphone and be enrolled in the Mayo PICS clinic. Throughout the trial, participants will follow a specially designed diet and provide feedback on how they feel. It’s important to note that individuals with certain serious health conditions or who cannot tolerate food by mouth are not eligible to join the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • - patients who have survived critical illness, including severe COVID, and are at risk for mental health morbidity/long COVID (spent \>48 hours in the ICU or had COVID requiring ICU stay) who have a smartphone, are enrolled into the Mayo PICS clinic, and have at least one PICS-related impairment. Cognitive impairment, if present, has to be in the mild range to ensure patient can provide consent and follow study instructions
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • - History of dementia, mental retardation, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, patients not expected to survive the hospital stay or non-English speaking, participants not able to tolerate foods by mouth or those with potential contraindications to such diet (chronically immunosuppressed including organ transplant recipients; those with neutropenia or currently undergoing chemotherapy, those taking Monoamine oxidase inhibitors).