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This is a cross-sectional, clinical research study comparing postmenopausal women of African Descent (AD) with different hemoglobin genotypes: normal and sickle cell trait (SCT). This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having SCT is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning in older women. The second purpose is to investigate whether women with SCT have reduced muscle function and increased frailty compared to women without SCT. The investigators estimate enrolling 50 female volunteers who are at least 50 years old and have not had a menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months. Volunteers need not know whether they have SCT as this will be evaluated as part of the study.
Investigators will develop and deliver a community-based recreation program, delivering group artmaking and group SMARTfit dual-task exergaming to community-dwelling older adults. The program will be delivered through the Buffalo-Niagara YMCA. Outcomes of interest are change in cognitive function and change in physical functioning, inresponse to 24 weeks of weekly training.
This study investigates the efficacy of a telehealth exercise program designed specifically for rural cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Small dried blood samples and measures of physical function will be collected throughout the program. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the exercise program improve CRF in rural cancer survivors? * How do CRF, metabolism, and physical function change during the exercise program? Researchers will compare the program to a wait-list control group. This group will complete all study measures without without changing current physical activity before receiving the full exercise program. Participants will: * Complete a virtual physical assessment before and after the program. * Complete brief virtual assessments and collect dried blood samples (at home and mailed in) every two weeks during the program. * Receive a personalized exercise program including virtual sessions and remote exercise programming with a cancer exercise specialist (after a 12-week wait period in the wait-list control group). * Optional: Willing participants will visit a study site for a laboratory-based exercise assessment before and after the program.
This clinical trial compares the effect of an automated personalized physical activity intervention supported by wearable technology to standard of care on physical activity levels and quality of life in patients with stage II- IV ovarian, primary peritoneal, fallopian tube cancer or endometrial cancer that is newly diagnosed. Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. In fact, increased levels of physical activity have been shown to decrease the risk of some cancers as well as increase overall survival in some cancers. Currently, standard of care guidelines include participation in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. An automated personalized physical activity intervention may increase physical activity, enhance quality of life, and improve physical function and daily living activities compared to standard recommendations in patients with stage II-IV ovarian, primary peritoneal, fallopian tube or newly diagnosed endometrial cancer. This trial also evaluates the impact of physical activity on the gut microbiome and immune function. The microbiome is the collection of tiny organisms, like bacteria, that live in and on the body, especially places like the gut. These microorganisms play an important role in health. Information gathered from this study may help understand how the gut microbiome and physical activity influences the immune system in patients with stage II-IV ovarian, primary peritoneal, fallopian tube or newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.
The purpose of this multi-site prospective study is to assess validity of a new step test called Functional-Incremental Stepping-in-place- Test (F-IST) compared to gold-standard cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and to physical function and health perception, respectively. The investigators will also assess test-retest reliability of the F-IST. The investigators hypothesize that the F-IST will have high validity and test-retest reliability to be used in field testing environments such as the ICU.
The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to examine the feasibility and safety of a 12-week high-velocity resistance training (HVRT) intervention in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4-5 and to generate preliminary data to inform a future study investigating the efficacy of HVRT for improving muscle power and physical function. Researchers will compare HVRT to an attention control condition consisting of weekly group sessions covering topics on healthy lifestyle. This study seeks to: 1. Determine whether implementing an HVRT intervention is feasible and safe for mobility-limited older adults with advanced CKD. 2. Collect preliminary data on the efficacy of HVRT for improving muscle power and physical function in mobility-limited older adults with advanced CKD.
People with HIV experience earlier impairments in physical function compared to people in the general population. They also exhibit an earlier presentation and more rapid development of frailty, a multisystemic syndrome of aging characterized by reduced activity, fatigue, slowness, weakness, and weight loss. While exercise can improve physical function in people with HIV, it is less effective in doing so than in the general population and is difficult to sustain in the long-term. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the medication tesamorelin will improve physical function and muscle health in adults with HIV when combined with exercise. Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue that is FDA-approved to treat abdominal fat accumulation in people with HIV. While tesamorelin has also been shown to increase muscle mass and improve measures of muscle health, its effects on physical performance and muscle strength have not yet been evaluated. During a 24-week intervention phase, half of participants will be randomly assigned to receive tesamorelin and half of participants will be randomly assigned to receive placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug). All participants also will engage in a home-based exercise intervention supervised by an exercise coach. During a subsequent 24-week extension phase, individuals will be monitored off study drug and supervised exercise, and be encouraged to continue to exercise independently. The investigators will investigate effects of tesamorelin on physical function, muscle mass and quality, quality of life, and exercise adherence and self-efficacy. They also will evaluate whether effects of tesamorelin are maintained following treatment cessation. This study may identify an important strategy to improve how individuals aging with HIV function and feel with potential applications to other patient populations.
Overview of Research Design and Objectives This study is a prospective, concurrent cohort study aimed at evaluating the reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) as a discharge criterion for patients with chronic lower back pain (LBP) undergoing physical therapy. The primary objective is to identify a benchmark FMS score that correlates with a low risk of recurrence and high levels of functional performance post-discharge. Specific Aims and Hypotheses The study specifically aims to: Assess the effectiveness of FMS in determining discharge readiness for chronic LBP patients. The hypothesis is that a specific threshold score on the FMS can reliably indicate a patient\'s readiness for discharge, reducing the risk of recurrence and ensuring better long-term functional outcomes. Rationale for the Study Chronic LBP is a prevalent condition requiring multidisciplinary management. The FMS, widely used in athletic and military settings, has potential utility in clinical management of chronic LBP, particularly in establishing discharge criteria. This study seeks to explore this potential, addressing a gap in evidence regarding discharge benchmarks for chronic LBP patients. Procedures The study involves 50 chronic LBP patients from the Texas Back Institute. Participants will undergo their standard physical therapy regimen, supplemented by regular FMS assessments to evaluate discharge readiness. Assessments include a series of functional tasks, with scores ranging from 0 to 3 for each task, culminating in a total possible score of 21. Risks and Anticipated Benefits Risks are minimal, akin to those in low-intensity exercises. Benefits include improved discharge criteria for chronic LBP patients, potentially enhancing long-term outcomes. All procedures adhere to Good Clinical Practice and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines. This study\'s risks include potential loss of confidentiality, psychological, and physical risks. Physical risks are minimal, similar to those in low-intensity exercises like squatting and lunging. To protect confidentiality, data will be managed in compliance with Good Clinical Practice and HIPAA guidelines, with encryption and secure storage. Psychological and physical risks are mitigated through thorough instruction, practice trials, and breaks for participants. Additionally, trained study personnel can terminate a participant\'s involvement at any point for safety reasons. Outcomes The study will report on the average FMS score correlating with discharge readiness and the variance in scores across different functional assessments. Statistical Analysis Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman Test, with a significance level set at α=0.05. Completion Time The study is expected to complete enrollment within two years. Abbreviations and Terms LBP: Lower Back Pain FMS: Functional Movement Screen PROM: Patient-Reported Outcome Measures VAS: Visual Analog Scale ODI: Oswestry Disability Index ANOVA: Analysis of Variance PROMIS: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System®
Background: The way the brain processes rewards and punishments may play a role in some disorders of the nervous system. People with chronic overlapping pain conditions (such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome \[ME/CFS\]) may have heightened responses to unpleasant, punishing sensations. Some of these conditions may also cause heightened responses to effort; this is an unpleasant sensation felt during physical and mental exertion. Objective: To learn more about how the brain processes different unpleasant sensations. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 50 years with ME/CFS. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have 3 visits in 1 to 5 weeks. Visit 1: Participants may have a neurologic exam. They will have a mock magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. They will lie on a bed in a wooden tube while they practice 2 tasks: Thermal pain rating: A device that creates mild to moderate heat will be placed on one leg. Physical effort rating: Participants will squeeze a plastic bar with different levels of force. Visit 2: Participants will have a real MRI scan. They will lie on a table that slides into a large tube. Visit 3: Participants will have another MRI scan. They will repeat the thermal pain and physical effort tasks while in the scanner. Sensors will be placed on 1 arm to measure how the muscles function as they squeeze the bar. Their heart rate will be tested: They will hold their finger against a camera lens for 1 minute. They will do 2 other tasks: 1 requires repeatedly pressing a key on a keyboard, and the other requires squeezing a bar.
In this study, we will randomly assign 360 older adults to 12 months of 5 minutes per day of functional resistance training or to a delayed treatment control condition, and measure the impact of the training on measures of lower extremity performance and walking ability.