Physical Activity Clinical Trials

Over 50% of the Veterans enrolled for VA health care are over the age of 65. Dementia prevalence increases with age, and with the increase in the population of people ages 65 and older, the total number of people with dementia is also increasing. Older Veterans often have comorbid PTSD, major depression and traumatic brain injury so that they are at 2 to 5 times the risk for cognitive impairment and dementia compared to the general population. There is evidence that exercise interventions in sedentary older adults could improve both physical and cognitive function. However, there have been very few studies on the effects of exercise on cognition in older Veterans and do not reflect the broader ethnic and health-status diversity of Veterans. Thus, improved knowledge of the role of exercise on cognition as well as the predictive power of biomarkers could have a major beneficial impact on Veterans' functional independence and quality of life. The investigators hypothesize that participation in the VA Gerofit exercise program will improve cognitive function in older Veterans and that blood and muscle biomarkers will predict these improvements. Read Less

In this study, the investigators will implement a pilot project of using activity tracker (i.e., Fitbit) with phase III CR clients. The study will record the participants' daily steps and sleep patterns for 8 consecutive weeks in natural settings. Two specific aims are identified for this project: 1. Develop an intervention protocol using mHealth to promote Phase III CR clients' self-monitoring of PA. 2. Examine the efficacy of the intervention on clients' PA, sleep patterns, functional capacity and QoL. Read Less

Investigators will conduct a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial of a trauma-adapted Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) intervention. A clustered stepped wedge design will be used, with the duration of the trial being 3 years. Read Less

Hispanic men and children experience health disparities for overweight and obesity-related medical conditions, and therefore family level obesity prevention programs for Hispanic populations are needed. 'Healthy Dads Healthy Kids' is the first program to primarily target fathers for obesity prevention for themselves and their children, with significant and clinically relevant treatment effects. This is an efficacy trial to assess a culturally adapted 'Healthy Dads Healthy Kids' for Hispanic families. Read Less

The investigators will test if the 50,000 for Life (50K4Life) is effective at improving walking engagement in school employees in 30 public schools by delivering a two-phased adaptive intervention to improve walking engagement in school workers in 30 public schools. In Phase 1, all study schools will be randomly assigned to a 50K4Life only, or 50K4Life + SMS Text Messaging group. In Phase 2, non-responder schools will be randomly assigned to one of two 6-month adaptive treatments: a) an individual-level intervention that includes remote education modules (REM) and one-to-one monthly phone-based coaching, or, b) a school-level intervention that includes group educational sessions, school environmental modifications (floor distance markings, signage in corridors and breakrooms, promotional items), and work time/weekend group walks/hikes. The schools that 50% or more participants who achieve 50,000 steps in one week will continue with the Phase 1 condition. Intervention strategies will be coordinated by health educators and managed using the Pathverse app. Data collection will occur at baseline, 8 weeks (Phase 2 randomization decision point), 8 months (immediate post intervention), 12 months (4 months post-intervention), and 18 months (10 months post-intervention) for a total of 18 months of study participation. Read Less

The study purpose is to evaluate a novel multidisciplinary approach to fostering a therapeutic partnership between the participants with developmental disabilities and the participants family dog. This will culminate in an Animal Assisted Intervention aimed at increasing activity levels, enhancing social support, and increasing feeling of responsibility and wellbeing within this population. Read Less

Healthy School Recognized Campus is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension initiative that supports the delivery of school-based physical activity and nutrition programs for diverse youth across Texas. The purpose of this study is to improve the delivery of these programs and optimize the effect they have on youth's cardiovascular risk factors. Read Less

Strong Teens for Healthy Schools (STHS) is a school-based, civic engagement program that empowers middle school students to improve their physical activity and healthy eating behaviors, improve their cardiovascular disease outcomes, and create positive change in their school health environments. Read Less

The investigators have developed an online platform to support the 8-week, F&S! exercise program called the Healthy Activity Improves Lives (HAIL) online platform. The aim of this study is to perform a cluster randomization of four racially diverse churches or senior centers to either the standard F&S! program, or the combined HAIL Online Platform + F&S! program to examine the efficacy of the HAIL online platform + F&S! program for older adults in black communities. Read Less

The goal of this randomized, cross-over, single-site trial followed by an exploratory third intervention is to understand how indoor lighting affects different measures of brain health in older adults living in independent living residences. This is a community based study occurring in a local senior living facility. The main question this study aims to answer is: - How does the quality of ambient indoor lighting an older adult is exposed to affect measures of brain health, such as sleep quality, physical activity, cognitive function, and social engagement? Participants will be exposed to three different indoor lighting conditions for 4 weeks each while performing the following tasks: Wear a smartwatch throughout the study to measure sleep quality and physical activity Wear a small, wearable light sensor to measure light exposure during waking hours Perform cognitive assessments throughout the study to detect any changes between each of the lighting conditions Complete self-report of surveys to assess independence, social engagement, sleep quality, and mood Results from these tasks will be compared within and between subjects to assess whether the different lighting conditions affect these different measures of brain health. Read Less

The overall goal of the Connect Through Positive Leisure Activities for Youth (PLAY) Project is to improve staff capacity for implementing effective physical activity (PA) programming within middle school after school programs serving high-risk youth. All components of the 'Connect' intervention (health promotion initiative, comprehensive training, and tailored physical activity curriculum) aim to support staff cohesion, motivation and efficacy in facilitating a PA context that supports youth social goals and meaningful connections. To this end, the investigators will be implementing a 5-year randomized controlled trial with 30 ASPs. Compared to control programs, after school programs receiving the 'Connect' program are expected to show greater improvements from baseline to post- and 6 mo follow-up in social mechanisms, youth PA, and staff PA. The Connect through PLAY project will provide important insights into what supports are needed (and efficacious) for after school program staff to create a positive social climate to promote increases in youth motivation and participation in physical activity. Read Less

The investigators aim to conduct a fully powered randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of two symptom management programs for older adults with early cognitive decline (either self-reported or confirmed by testing) and chronic pain, Active Brains 1 and Active Brains 2. The investigators will assess how each program may help in improving multimodal physical, cognitive and emotional function. The investigators will also assess whether improvements in outcomes from the two programs are maintained through 6-months follow-up. The investigators will also explore whether improvements in outcomes are mediated by nonadaptive pain reactions, adaptive coping, social factors and compensatory strategies and modified by demographic and clinical predictors. Both programs will be delivered virtually (Zoom). Read Less