Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Strategies To Recruit, Retain, And Disseminate Findings To Older Adults In Health Research: A Literature Review, Sydney Giancola, Russell Estreicher, Merna Mina

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

This paper outlines various strategies to recruit, retain and disseminate information to older adults in health research. There is a limited scope on the best ways to engage with older adults, maintain their interest over time, and share their results post-data collection. This literature review aims to fill this gap and discuss various methods to increase the engagement of the older adult population in health research.

The Greater Implications Of Self-Perceptions Of Aging Among Younger Adults: Results From The Socially Nutritious Volunteer Training Program, Ashlyn Cobble

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rapidly growing rate of the older adult population has created a need to better understand younger adults’ self-perceptions of aging and current trends of ageism. The purpose of this secondary data analysis research project was to determine changes, if any, in participants’ self-perception of aging after the Socially Nutritious facilitator or nutrition ambassador volunteer training, which aims to develop knowledge and skills related to aging trends, older adult nutrition, preventing ageism, and communication and educational considerations when working with older adults. Findings indicate that participants with more frequent interactions with older adults had a more positive perception of their …

Changes In Young Adults’ Perspective On Ageism After Participating In A Virtual Nutrition Education Program With Older Adults, Julianne Hensley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing older adult population has led to increased ageist tendencies among younger generations. Previous research suggests that ageism is associated with cognitive and physical decline among older adults. This mixed-methods research project examined changes in ageist perceptions among graduate student facilitators and undergraduate nutrition ambassadors after participating in a training that included information about healthy aging, addressing ageism, and communicating with older adults. Results from a secondary data analysis of pre-test/post-test data and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with facilitators of Socially Nutritious, a virtual nutrition education program for older adults, indicate that ageist perceptions decreased after the …

Sarcopenia And The Importance Of Resistance Training And Protein-Rich Diets For Prevention Of Muscle Loss In Older Adults: A Literature Review And Informational Pamphlet, Madison Steele

Honors Theses

The growing prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults as well as youths has prompted further research aimed at developing effective preventative measures and treatment plans. Sarcopenia is often thought to occur solely due to aging, but several other factors contribute to progressive muscle loss. Previous research studies have found an effect of physical activity and dietary protein levels on the risk of developing sarcopenia as well as its onset age. This study aims to review existing knowledge in the field to compile an extensive list of sarcopenia causes and methods of prevention. The main causes identified in this review are …

A Comprehensive Examination Of Age-Related Lower Limb Muscle Function Asymmetries Across A Variety Of Muscle Contraction Types, Kylee Heap

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Previous research has found that lower limb muscle asymmetries increase with age and are linked to fall and injury risks. However, past studies lacked a wide variety of muscle function modes and measures as well as comparison to a comparable young aged group. The purpose of this study was to examine age-related lower limb muscle function asymmetries across a variety of muscle contraction types and velocities in young and old adults. Lower limb muscle balance, strength, power, and velocity were evaluated with concentric, isometric, isotonic, and eccentric muscle actions during a single-leg stance test and on single- and multi-joint dynamometers …

Investigation Of The Impact Of Neighborhood Environments On Alzheimer’S Disease And Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Dementias (Ad/Adrd), Darashagam Nahal

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects

There is an increased interest in understanding the impact of neighborhood environments on cognitive functioning, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). Surprisingly, there has yet to be a comprehensive review that consolidates the findings from studies conducted in this specific field. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the influence of eight neighborhood environments on AD/ADRD. The seven key neighborhood environments that are investigated in this study include: i) socioeconomic status, ii) food environments, iii) physical activity resources, iv) social cohesion, v) crime, vi) non-crime safety, and vii) healthcare services. This research conducts a …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Recognition, Assessment, And Treatment Of Presbyvestibulopathy, Jennifer Hill, Ellen Hudgins, Sharon Leonard

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Sensory functions decline with age, and the likelihood of having multiple sensory impairments increases with age, potentially leading to decreased physical activity and performance, decreased social participation, poorer quality of life, and greater health care spending. Presbyvestibulopathy (PVP), a diagnosis established in 2019, is a vestibular dysfunction or loss related to the aging process characterized by mild bilateral vestibular deficits, chronic dizziness, unsteadiness, gait disturbance, and/or recurrent falls. Given the potential impact of vestibular dysfunction on occupational performance and participation in meaningful activities, occupational therapy’s (OT) role in PVP is evident; however, limited literature exists specific to OT and vestibular …

Factors Influencing Driving Confidence In Older Adults, Jill Linder, Beth Ann Walker, Elizabeth Moore, Anne Hegberg

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: It has been determined that both confidence and cognition impact driving performance and self-regulation. While it is known that cognitive decline impacts driving safety and that decreases in driving confidence can lead to self-driving regulation, further research is needed to determine whether cognition, demographics, and driving routines are associated with driving confidence.

Method: A non-experimental, cross-sectional design study using a convenience sample of 100 older adults was conducted to determine if individual factors are related to daytime and nighttime driving confidence.

Results: Multiple regression indicated that four variables predicted daytime driving confidence, including cognition, driving at …

Peer-Mediated Family Support Project: Evaluation Of Changes In Family Quality Of Life, Preethy S. Samuel, Elizabeth Janks, Nia S. Anderson, Michael Bray, Christina Topolewski, Sharon Milberger

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Family Quality of Life (FQOL) approach represents a paradigm shift from fixing to supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) by changing the focus from the individual to the family and highlighting strengths rather than deficiencies. Aging family caregivers of individuals with I/DD often encounter obstacles, including accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of services. Little is known about best practices to support aging families of adults with I/DD. Understanding how a state-wide peer-mediated family support project implemented in this study helped improve the FQOL of aging caregivers is important in broadening participation of other caregivers in these types of programs. To …

Enhancing Neurovestibular Care Using Machine Learning And Motion Analysis: A Systematic Review Of Diagnostic Approaches, Christopher Yam, Munib Ali, Mariam Kabalan, Katie De Champlain, Justin K. Chau

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Mapping The Maze Of Time: Unraveling Chronological Age-Induced Structural Transformations In The C57bl6 Mouse Brain, Angelica Arshoun, Adam Jasper, Ella D'Amico, Frank Yeh, Kirk Erickson, Amrita Sahu, Fabrisia Ambrosio

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Experiences Of Working Sandwich Generation Caregivers, Kimberly Ben, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presents an insightful exploration into the lives of Working Sandwich Generation Caregivers (WSCs), a group defined as individuals aged 30-65 who simultaneously provide care for both aging adults (over 65 years old) and younger dependents (29 years old or younger), while also managing their careers. The study delves deep into the unique challenges and experiences faced by WSCs, aiming to highlight the occupational, emotional, and physical demands inherent in their roles. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews and occupational therapy assessments, the manuscript offers a comprehensive look at the balancing act WSCs perform daily. It seeks to inform …

Aging In Place, Lee Hardy, Andrea Holder

Capstone Research Posters

Our research seeks to identify creative approaches to facilitate aging in place, focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of various programs, strategies, and concepts that support older adults and generating novel ideas to address any existing gaps in this context. Its primary goal is to uncover innovative solutions for helping older adults in aging in place. Initially, a concise, confidential survey with sixteen questions addressing demographics, housing particulars, and health factors was administered to establish a candidate pool meeting our criteria. Following this, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews featuring five questions to explore the nuances of participants' housing experiences and examine …

Tavr In Older Adults: Moving Toward A Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment And Away From Chronological Age, Abdulla A Damluji, Gwen Bernacki, Jonathan Afilalo, Radmila Lyubarova, Ariela R Orkaby, Min Ji Kwak, Scott Hummel, James N Kirkpatrick, Mathew S Maurer, Nanette Wenger, Michael W Rich, Dae Hyun Kim, Roberta Y Wang, Daniel E Forman, Ashok Krishnaswami

Journal Articles

Calcific aortic stenosis can be considered a model for geriatric cardiovascular conditions due to a confluence of factors. The remarkable technological development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement was studied initially on older adult populations with prohibitive or high-risk for surgical valve replacement. Through these trials, the cardiovascular community has recognized that stratification of these chronologically older adults can be improved incrementally by invoking the concept of frailty and other geriatric risks. Given the complexity of the aging process, stratification by chronological age should only be the initial step but is no longer sufficient to optimally quantify cardiovascular and noncardiovascular risk. …

Relationship Among Cognitive Performance, Physical Activity (Pa), Demographic, And Individual Lifestyle Characteristics Among Aging Hispanic Population, Ulku Karabulut, Bryan Mixumi, Imtiaz Masfique Dowllah, Murat Karabulut

Research Symposium

Purpose: To investigate the association among different intensity and duration of physical activity (PA), cognitive domains (executive function, processing speed, and memory), and demographic and lifestyle characteristics of aging Hispanic population. PA has been identified as a promising non-pharmaceutical preventative intervention for Alzheimer disease and other dementias. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the effects of different intensities of PA on cognitive performances of aging Hispanic population.

Methods: For this study, 441 Hispanic (age ≥60) participants’ data from NHANES (20112014) were analyzed. The protocol was approved by the NCHS Research Ethics Review Board, and all data …

Characterizing Multimorbidity Prevalence And Adverse Outcomes In Ethnically And Culturally Diverse Sub-Populations In India: Gaps, Opportunities, And Future Directions, Preeti Zanwar, Robyn Taylor, Tanisha Hill-Jarrett, Elena Tsoy, Jason Flatt, Zunera Mirza, Carl Hill, Arokiasamy Perianayagam

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

India is a large middle-income country and has surpassed China in overall population, comprising 20% of the global population (over 1.43 billion people). India is experiencing a major demographic shift in its aging population. Chronic diseases are common among older adults and can be persistent over the life course, lead to the onset of disability, and be costly. Among older adults in India, the existence of multiple comorbid chronic conditions (i.e., multimorbidity) is rapidly growing and represents a burgeoning public health burden. Prior research identified greater rates of multimorbidity (e.g., overweight/obesity diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and malignancies) in minority …

Increased Hif-2Α Activity In The Nucleus Pulposus Causes Intervertebral Disc Degeneration In The Aging Mouse Spine, Shira N Johnston, Maria Tsingas, Rahatul Ain, Ruteja A Barve, Makarand Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential to the homeostasis of hypoxic tissues. Although HIF-2α, is expressed in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, consequences of elevated HIF-2 activity on disc health remains unknown. We expressed HIF-2α with proline to alanine substitutions (P405A; P531A) in the Oxygen-dependent degradation domain (HIF-2αdPA) in the NP tissue using an inducible, nucleus pulposus-specific K19^CreERT allele to study HIF-2α function in the adult intervertebral disc. Expression of HIF-2α in NP impacted disc morphology, as evident from small but significantly higher scores of degeneration in NP of 24-month-old K19^CreERT; HIF-2α^dPA (K19-dPA) mice. Noteworthy, comparisons of grades …

Physical Activity And Amyloid Beta In Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, María Rodriguez-Ayllon, Patricio Solis-Urra, Cristina Arroyo-Ávila, Miriam Álvarez-Ortega, Pablo Molina-García, Cristina Molina-Hidalgo, Manuel Gómez-Río, Belinda Brown, Kirk I. Erickson, Irene Esteban-Cornejo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: One of the pathological hallmarks distinguishing Alzheimer's disease from other dementias is the accumulation of amyloid beta (A ). Higher physical activity is associated with decreased dementia risk, and one potential path could be through A levels modulation. We aimed to explore the relationship between physical activity and A in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus was performed from inception to April 28, 2022. Studies were eligible if they included physical activity and A data in adults aged 45 years or older. Multi-level …

Aging Impairs The Osteocytic Regulation Of Collagen Integrity And Bone Quality, Charles A Schurman, Serra Kaya, Neha Dole, Nadja M Maldonado Luna, Natalia Castillo, Ryan Potter, Jacob P Rose, Joanna Bons, Christina D King, Jordan B Burton, Birgit Schilling, Simon Melov, Simon Tang, Eric Schaible, Tamara Alliston

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Poor bone quality is a major factor in skeletal fragility in elderly individuals. The molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain bone quality, independent of bone mass, are unknown but are thought to be primarily determined by osteocytes. We hypothesize that the age-related decline in bone quality results from the suppression of osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling (PLR), which maintains bone material properties. We examined bones from young and aged mice with osteocyte-intrinsic repression of TGFβ signaling (TβRII

Fast And Slow: Recording Neuromodulator Dynamics Across Both Transient And Chronic Time Scales, Pingchuan Ma, Peter Chen, Elizabeth I Tilden, Samarth Aggarwal, Anna Oldenborg, Yao Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Neuromodulators transform animal behaviors. Recent research has demonstrated the importance of both sustained and transient change in neuromodulators, likely due to tonic and phasic neuromodulator release. However, no method could simultaneously record both types of dynamics. Fluorescence lifetime of optical reporters could offer a solution because it allows high temporal resolution and is impervious to sensor expression differences across chronic periods. Nevertheless, no fluorescence lifetime change across the entire classes of neuromodulator sensors was previously known. Unexpectedly, we find that several intensity-based neuromodulator sensors also exhibit fluorescence lifetime responses. Furthermore, we show that lifetime measures in vivo neuromodulator dynamics both …

Tubular Cpt1a Deletion Minimally Affects Aging And Chronic Kidney Injury, Safaa Hammoud, Yosuke Osaki, Steven Funk, Dongliang Lu, Benjamin D. Humphreys, Jeffrey Koenitzer, Justin Kern, Nidia Messias, Irfan J Lodhi, Leslie S. Gewin, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Kidney tubules use fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to support their high energetic requirements. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) is the rate-limiting enzyme for FAO, and it is necessary to transport long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria. To define the role of tubular CPT1A in aging and injury, we generated mice with tubule-specific deletion of Cpt1a (Cpt1aCKO mice), and the mice were either aged for 2 years or injured by aristolochic acid or unilateral ureteral obstruction. Surprisingly, Cpt1aCKO mice had no significant differences in kidney function or fibrosis compared with wild-type mice after aging or chronic injury. Primary tubule cells from aged Cpt1aCKO …

Short-Term Cd8+ T Cell Depletion Results In Blunted Liver Inflammation In Old Mice, Konner J. Terrebonne, David J. Buckley, Blessy Joseph, Sunita Sharma, Daniel W. Trott

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Advanced age is associated with an increase in basal inflammation of the organs. Previously we have found that T cells accumulate in the liver of old mice. A large proportion of these cells are CD8+ and produce inflammatory cytokines. We have previously demonstrated that CD8+ T cell depletion results in improved glucose tolerance in old mice. However, the mechanisms by which CD8+ depletion improves glucose tolerance is unclear. Therefore, we sought to determine whether pharmacologic CD8+ depletion would result in decreased liver specific inflammation in old mice compared to their old CD8+ intact counterparts. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis …

The Lived Experiences Of Urhobo Women From The Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria During The Menopausal Transition, Omemiyere Sheila Uwayzor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study offered an in-depth exploration of the menopausal experiences of seven Urhobo women, ages 45–65 years old, representing diverse occupational backgrounds and communities from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, who shed light on the multifaceted dimensions of menopausal experiences. Grounded in the Meleis transitions theory, the research presented thematic insights from semi-structured interviews, capturing the participants’ physiological, emotional, cultural, and healthcare-related experiences. Interviews were conducted with seven Urhobo women aged between 45 and 65 years old. These menopausal women responded to the research question regarding their lived experiences of Urhobo women during the menopausal transition. Using …

Clinical Care Of Masters Athletes: A Health Needs Assessment, Princess A. Ulona

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Little is known about the current state of clinical care that Masters Athletes (MAs) receive, their perceptions, and whether they meet their health needs. A 22-item online health needs assessment (HNA) survey was conducted to investigate the characteristics of clinical care received by MAs and determine their perceived health needs. 80 MAs completed our survey. In assessing three key categories of care, less than 40% of MAs reported receiving Pre-Participation Evaluation (PPE), Medical Monitoring, and Injury Management as part of their standard routine care. Dissatisfied MAs reported unmet needs due to a lack of educated clinicians, lack of accessibility to …

Calorie Restriction Reduces Biomarkers Of Cellular Senescence In Humans, Zaira Aversa, Susan B Racette, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Calorie restriction (CR) with adequate nutrient intake is a potential geroprotective intervention. To advance this concept in humans, we tested the hypothesis that moderate CR in healthy young-to-middle-aged individuals would reduce circulating biomarkers of cellular senescence, a fundamental mechanism of aging and aging-related conditions. Using plasma specimens from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE™) phase 2 study, we found that CR significantly reduced the concentrations of several senescence biomarkers at 12 and 24 months compared to an ad libitum diet. Using machine learning, changes in biomarker concentrations emerged as important predictors of the change …

Exploring The Complexities Of 1c Metabolism: Implications In Aging And Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ayman Bou Ghanem, Yaman Hussayni, Raghid Kadbey, Yara Ratel, Shereen Yehya, Lara Khouzami, Hilda E. Ghadieh, Amjad Kanaan, Sami Azar, Frederic Harb

All Works

The intricate interplay of one-carbon metabolism (OCM) with various cellular processes has garnered substantial attention due to its fundamental implications in several biological processes. OCM serves as a pivotal hub for methyl group donation in vital biochemical reactions, influencing DNA methylation, protein synthesis, and redox balance. In the context of aging, OCM dysregulation can contribute to epigenetic modifications and aberrant redox states, accentuating cellular senescence and age-associated pathologies. Furthermore, OCM's intricate involvement in cancer progression is evident through its capacity to provide essential one-carbon units crucial for nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation, thereby fueling uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor development. …

The Positive Functional And Structural Cardiovascular Impact Of Homoarginine In Aged Rats Via Modulation Of Cardiac Inos/Fibrosis Pathway And Ampk, Heba Fathy El-Domiaty, Walaa Abdellah Esa, Nesrin Abd Allah Salman

Menoufia Medical Journal

Objectives To investigate the cardiovascular protective effect of HA in aged rats and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Background: Aging is a natural process, which has a gradual biological impact on the normal functions of different organs. Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were divided in to 3 groups: adult (4-6 months), aged (23-24 months) and aged HA supplemented groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), electrocardiogram (ECG) and aortic blood flow parameters were recorded for all rats. Then, rats were sacrificed and cardiac tissue was dissected to measure the cardiac levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). …

Effect Of Ficus Carica Leaves Extract On The Hippocampus Of The Aged Rats, Eman Adel Zeair, Ahmed Said Zolfakar, Wael Badr Elkholy, Manar Ali Faried

Menoufia Medical Journal

Objectives: to study the neurodegenerative changes affecting hippocampus of the aged rats compared to young rats and to explore the protective role of Ficus carica (FC) leaves extract. Background: Aging is the progressive accumulation of changes with time. Oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation are the hallmarks of the aging process. Methods: forty male albino rats were divided into four groups of ten rats each: Group I included young animals aged 3 months; group II included rats aged 3 months treated with FC ethanolic extract; group III included rats aged 24 months and group IV included aged rat treated with FC …

Human Alveolar Lining Fluid From The Elderly Promotes Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Intracellular Growth And Translocation Into The Cytosol Of Alveolar Epithelial Cells, Angélica M. Olmo-Fontánez, Julia M. Scordo, Alyssa Schami, Andreu Garcia-Vilanova, Paula Pino, Amberlee Hicks, Richa Mishra, Diego Jose Maselli, Jay I. Peters, Blanca I. Restrepo

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The elderly population is highly susceptible to developing respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, a devastating disease caused by the airborne pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) that kills one person every 18 seconds. Once M.tb reaches the alveolar space, it contacts alveolar lining fluid (ALF), which dictates host-cell interactions. We previously determined that age-associated dysfunction of soluble innate components in human ALF leads to accelerated M.tb growth within human alveolar macrophages. Here we determined the impact of human ALF on M.tb infection of alveolar epithelial type cells (ATs), another critical lung cellular determinant of infection. We observed that elderly ALF …

The Way Of Eldering: Spiritual Maturation Across The Lifespan, Kineret Yardena

Social Work Theses

Background and Objectives

People in midlife are often encumbered with uncertainty about how to transition toward later life without regret. Many sense the need to spiritually mature as they age, but lack practical guidance. Elders are those in later life who have made this transition and who have become sources of wisdom, nurturance and guidance for those younger than they. This phenomenological study explores the spiritual maturation journey of eldering.

Research Design and Methods

Ten people who were identified as elders took part in intuitive life story interviews. Using Story Method, this phenomenological study sought to identify key themes in …