Introduction: Severe mental illnesses (SMIs) often co-occur with complex nutritional challenges, including disordered eating and metabolic complications from psychotropic medications. Despite evidence highlighting the impact of nutrition on mental health, existing tools for nutrition screening in psychiatric settings are limited. This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of the NutriMental Screener, a novel instrument designed to identify nutrition-related risks among patients with SMIs and facilitate early intervention. Methods: A pilot feasibility study was conducted at a psychiatric institution with 23 participants (19 inpatients and four outpatients). Clinicians used the NutriMental Screener to assess patients’ nutritional status, behaviours, and associated risks. Feedback on the tool’s usability and effectiveness was collected from clinicians through structured questionnaires, while patient data, including BMI, weight changes, and requests for nutritional advice, were analysed. Results: The NutriMental Screener demonstrated high usability, with 96% of completions taking less than 5 minutes. Clinicians rated ease of use as "very easy" or "easy" in 96% of cases. Among patients, 43% reported significant weight changes, and 47% requested nutritional advice. Clinician recommendations for dietetic support led to referrals for 57% of patients. Common comorbidities included metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal (GI) issues and eating disorders. Discussion: The NutriMental Screener showed promise as a feasible and user-friendly tool in psychiatric care, effectively identifying nutritional risks and guiding referrals. However, clinician recruitment and adherence challenges highlight the need for further optimisation. The pilot study also revealed gaps in addressing patient requests for dietary support, underscoring resource limitations in psychiatric settings. This pilot study confirms the feasibility of the NutriMental Screener in routine psychiatric practice, offering a practical approach to addressing the nutritional needs of individuals with SMIs. Future research should focus on large-scale validation and integration strategies to enhance its clinical utility and improve patient outcomes.
Feasibility of the NutriMental Screener
Hemler, B. M. (Autor/-in). 2025
Studienabschlussarbeit: Diplomarbeit