Nutritional therapy as a cross-cutting issue in the interprofessional treatment of alcohol dependence in medical rehabilitation (EthA)

In medical rehabilitation for alcohol addiction, nutritional therapy social services: benefits are anchored as an evidence-based therapy module (ETM) in an indication-specific rehabilitation therapy standard (RTS). Nutritional therapy standards, recommendations for the interprofessional integration of nutritional therapy and targeted training options for nutritional therapy specialists are missing. The aims of the research project are to develop a framework concept for nutritional therapy, taking into account networking in the interprofessional therapy concept for alcohol dependence, and to design supplementary practical recommendations and working materials for nutritional specialists. To this end, a systematic literature review of (interprofessional) approaches to nutritional therapy for alcohol dependence will be carried out. In the next step, a comprise qualitative (individual and focus group interviews with interprofessional treatment teams or rehabilitation patients (groups)) and a supplementary quantitative data collection (online short questionnaire) will be carried out. On this basis, recommendations will be derived in a Delphi process with the support of an interprofessional advisory board of experts. The nutritional therapy framework concept with recommendations for the synergetic implementation of nutritional therapy in the treatment concept as well as the resulting practical recommendations and working materials are published and contribute to quality assurance in medical rehabilitation.

Nutritional deficits occur more frequently with alcohol addiction. Nutrition is one of the structural components of everyday life and is the basics of a healthy and abstinent lifestyle. The interprofessional dovetailing of nutritional therapy is therefore relevant for successful reintegration. The aims of the project are therefore the development of a nutritional therapy framework concept with the inclusion of interprofessional networking as well as the development of supplementary practical recommendations and working materials for nutritional therapy specialists in the medical rehabilitation of alcohol addiction.

The selection of suitable varieties and the sourcing and cleaning of suitable organic raw materials are carried out in collaboration with experts.
This is then processed into a texturate, which is further developed into a ready-to-eat product through seasoning and binding. Product development is based on the results of food sensory and nutritional physiological tests as well as usability and
acceptance tests in cooperating commercial kitchens. This ensures that the product meets the quality requirements of different target groups and is suitable for use in commercial kitchens.

Wenden Sie sich gerne an unsere Mitarbeitenden: 

Anne Schumacher 

anne.schumacher(at)oe.hs-fulda.de

0661 9640 3884

Angelina Heumüller 

angelina.heumueller(at)oe.hs-fulda.de

0661 9640 3821

Project team

Prof. Dr. Sigrid Hahn

Dietetics

Anne Schumacher

Technical-administrative assistant

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Biehl

Nutrition and Health Psychology

Angelina Heumüller

Research assistant | EthA Project

Project information

Keywords:
Medical rehabilitation, nutritional therapy, alcohol addiction, interdisciplinarity

Project duration:
2026 - 2028

Funding organisation:
Federal German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund)