Clinical Research Directory

A Mobile Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health-III

The experience of chronic pain powerfully and negatively affects quality of life and functional independence in aging. Unfortunately, while as many as three in four older adults experience chronic pain, few have access to effective non-pharmacological pain management strategies. Participating in regular physical activity, avoiding sustained sitting, and maintaining a healthy weight are important and interrelated lifestyle inputs to chronic pain, and socially rich behavioral interventions informed by contemporary theories of behavior change appear important for engaging in activity and healthy eating in the long term. Our group has demonstrated in a series of Stage I trials that a group-mediated behavioral intervention combining dietary behavior change and a physical activity program focused on moving often throughout the day contributes to meaningful weight loss, and lasting weight maintenance, with pilot data suggesting this may contribute to improved pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life among older adults with chronic pain. As these were NIH Stage I trials, there are several important gaps to be addressed in the present trial: (1) both studies of chronic pain recruited small samples and were 12 weeks in duration, limiting our ability to establish efficacy and the durability of changes to activity, HRQOL, and pain outcomes; (2) participants included anyone with chronic pain, regardless of pain type, a likely contributor to heterogeneous pain intensity and interference findings; and (3) the investigators have yet to examine behavioral maintenance. The overarching goal of the proposed Stage II "mobile intervention to reduce pain and improve health-III (MORPH-III)" is to establish the efficacy of the intervention for enhancing physical activity via steps (primary), and for reducing pain interference and body weight while enhancing physical function (secondary) among older adults with chronic knee or hip osteoarthritic (OA) pain. The investigators will recruit 200 older adults with knee or hip osteoarthritic pain to engage in a 6-month remotely delivered intervention comprising weekly group or individual intervention meetings plus brief individual goal-setting coaching calls. This will be followed by a 12-month no-contact maintenance period, where participants will attempt to sustain behavioral goals on their own. The Specific Aims are: Specific Aim 1: To examine the impact of MORPH on ActivPAL-assessed daily steps relative to an enhanced usual care control. Hypotheses: MORPH will significantly increase steps relative to control at month 6. Specific Aim 2: To examine the impact of MORPH on pain interference, change in body weight, and physical function relative to the enhanced usual care control. Hypotheses: MORPH will result in significant reductions in pain interference and body weight and improvement in physical function relative to control at month 6. Exploratory Aims: Aim 1: To investigate the impact of the MORPH intervention on steps, weight change, pain interference, and physical function at month 18. Aim 2: If the MORPH intervention results in reduced pain interference at 6 and/or 18 months, the investigators will examine the extent to which 6-month change in steps, weight, pain self-efficacy, and catastrophizing mediate change in interference at 6 and/or 18 months.

Exercise Approaches and Physical Activity Level in Inactive Adults

This randomized, controlled, single-blind study aims to compare the effects of different exercise approaches on physical activity level and health-related outcomes in inactive adults. Thirty inactive individuals aged 18-35 years will be randomly assigned to supervised face-to-face group exercise, mobile application-based exercise, or video-based home exercise. Exercise programs will be performed three days per week for eight weeks and will include aerobic, strengthening, and flexibility exercises.

The Link Between Physical Activity and Brain Health in Healthy Adults

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the cross-sectional relationship between physical activity and brain health from a multiscale approach (neuropsychology, neuroimaging, peripheral biomarkers and genetics) in former athletes and sedentary individuals. The main question it aims to answer is: Do former athletes have better brain structure than sedentary people? Evaluating the differences in neurodegenerative processes between competitive training and sedentary and inactivity.

Improving Physical Activity Participation in Latinas With Mindfulness

In this study, the investigators are exploring how a mindfulness-based physical activity program can help improve exercise habits and overall health among 258 inactive Latina women aged 18 to 65. The study will be conducted entirely remotely over and 18 month period. During the first 6 months, all participants will receive an exercise program that has previously been tested by our research team. After 6 months, the investigators will check if participants are meeting the recommended exercise guidelines of at least 150 minutes/week of at least moderate intensity activity. Participants who meet the guidelines will continue with the successful exercise program for another 6 months. For participants who do not meet the guidelines (are exercising less than 150 minutes/week), they will receive one of two enhanced programs, which will be randomly assigned. One program offers additional physical activity support, and the other incorporates stress management through mindfulness techniques. For all participants, over 18 months, the investigators will track physical activity levels, stress, and heart health indicators.