Artificial Intelligence-based Dietary Care System

Patients with rectal cancer complicated by low anterior resection syndrome who undergo anal-preserving surgery may experience severe distress in daily life due to changes in bowel function, thus requiring significant post-discharge care support from healthcare professionals. This study is a multicenter, non-blinded randomized controlled trial. One hundred patients with rectal cancer complicated by low anterior resection syndrome are planned to be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio from the colorectal surgery outpatient clinics of National Taiwan University Hospital, its Cancer Center, and its Yunlin Branch. They will be divided into a control group receiving routine dietary education and an experimental group receiving both routine dietary education and the use of an artificial intelligence-based dietary care system application. The artificial intelligence-based dietary care system application will be used for approximately six months. Three questionnaires will be administered at one month post-surgery (before intervention), three months post-surgery, and six months post-surgery. The questionnaires will include: a demographic data sheet, a low anterior resection syndrome score, distress inventory from altered bowel functioning, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-30 Scale, to verify the effectiveness of the artificial intelligence-based dietary care system application in improving bowel disturbance and quality of life in patients with rectal cancer complicated by low anterior resection syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years. * Clear consciousness with ability to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese. * Histopathological confirmation of rectal adenocarcinoma. * Undergoing radical rectal resection or such surgery combined with temporary stoma closure. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of other intestinal disorders, including intestinal tumors, bloating, obstruction, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. * Inability to access the internet. * Inability to use a smartphone.