6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This study will use an observational cohort to cross-sectionally and longitudinally relate vascular health to clinical, imaging, and biological markers of early Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease among aging adults. Adjusting for relevant clinical covariates, we will test the hypothesis that vascular health is associated with clinical, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuropsychological, and cerebrospinal fluid markers of early cerebrovascular and Alzheimer's disease changes (i.e., prior to the onset of significant cognitive decline or dementia). Secondarily, we will examine medical and genetic factors that might mediate associations between vascular health and brain aging, such as inflammatory processes, insulin resistance, and genetic factors (e.g., APOE, a susceptibility risk factor for dementia). Findings will advance knowledge regarding the role that vascular health plays in brain aging.
Over 70% of US adults 65 or older are diagnosed with hypertension, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature deaths in the world. Despite availability of effective drugs to control blood pressure, uncontrolled blood pressure and low adherence to antihypertensive drugs persist as major public health and clinical challenges. On average, 50% of adults adhere to chronic disease medications and lower levels of adherence are associated with worse blood pressure control and adverse outcomes. Many barriers to adherence are well known and have been targeted in interventions to improve medication adherence. As of yet, no single intervention has emerged as superior or even particularly effective in improving adherence. The investigators have recently identified unconscious, self-protective 'hidden motives' that contribute to nonadherence to chronic disease medications. There is a critical need to expand on this insight to test the potential for targeting individuals' 'hidden motives' for low adherence using an innovative learning process called Immunity-to-Change. As a critical step in testing this intervention to target these 'hidden motives', the investigators will undertake a pilot study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Overcoming Immunity-to-Change intervention and determine effect sizes of the intervention on adherence, blood pressure (BP) control, and quality of life (QOL). The investigators will test the Immunity-to-Change intervention in a sample of nonadherent older adults with hypertension (n=18). Another sample of nonadherent older adults with hypertension will be monitored for comparison (n=18).
The first goal of this study is to examine the extent to which the inclusion of dual-task practice to standard balance rehabilitation results in greater benefits to dual-task ability. The second goal of this study is to examine the extent to which the addition of cognitive training following balance rehabilitation results in greater benefits to dual-task ability.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vestibular exercises provide added benefit to balance rehabilitation in older adults with dizziness and normal vestibular function.
A study will be conducted to determine if there is any cognitive benefit in elderly patients having open versus minimally invasive colon cancer surgery.
Care coordination, disease management, geriatric care management, and preventive programs for chronically ill older adults vary in design and their impact on long-term health outcomes is not well established. This study investigates whether a community-based nursing intervention improves longevity and impact on cardiovascular risk factors in this population. The results reflect the impact of one of the study sites (Health Quality Partners) selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration, a national demonstration designed to identify promising models of care coordination for chronically ill older adults. The study began in April 2002.