2.2. Supplementation
Participants were randomly allocated to receive supplementation with WPI (30 g/day [27 g protein; 120 kcal/serving]) or placebo, which consisted of maltodextrin (30 g/day [30 g carbohydrates; 120 kcal/ serving]). Patients were instructed to consume the supplements once a day for 12 weeks. The packaging and distribution of the supplements were performed by personnel not involved in the research, and researchers directly involved in patient care and follow-up were unaware of the supplements taken.