A feasibility randomized controlled trial of a community-level physical activity strategy for older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome.

The motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a syndrome characterized by subjective memory complaints and slow walking speeds that can identify older adults at increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia (ADRD). To date, the feasibility of community-based physical activity (PA) programs for improving outcomes in MCR have yet to be examined. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a translational randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing 24-weeks of PA to a healthy aging education (HE) control intervention delivered within the infrastructure of an urban senior center in Greater Boston (clincaltrials.

Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation During Exercise in Older Adults with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome.

Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by subjective memory complaints and gait impairments that may be related to lower prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. Acute bouts of aerobic exercise are shown to improve PFC function, however, the acute effects of exercise on PFC oxygenation have not yet been examined in MCR. This study aims to characterize the PFC oxygenation responses during acute exercise in older adults with MCR.

Insulin resistance during androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer (PCa) has been associated with development of insulin resistance. However, the predominant site of insulin resistance remains unclear.

Methods: The ADT & Metabolism Study was a single-center, 24-week, prospective observational study that enrolled ADT-naive men without diabetes who were starting ADT for at least 24 weeks (ADT group, n = 42).

Bone microarchitectural alterations associated with spinal cord injury: Relation to sex hormones, metabolic factors, and loading.

Context: People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at high risk for bone fractures. Neural, hormonal and metabolic contributors to bone microarchitectural alterations are incompletely understood.

Objective: To determine the relationship of physical, metabolic and endocrine characteristics with bone microarchitecture, characterized using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) in SCI.

Physical function endpoints in cancer cachexia clinical trials: Systematic Review 1 of the cachexia endpoints series.

In cancer cachexia trials, measures of physical function are commonly used as endpoints. For drug trials to obtain regulatory approval, efficacy in physical function endpoints may be needed alongside other measures. However, it is not clear which physical function endpoints should be used.

Gaining metabolic insight in older men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer (the ADT & Metabolism Study): Protocol of a longitudinal, observational, cohort study.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a cornerstone of treatment for patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer, is associated with many adverse effects, including osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and vasomotor symptoms. It is also associated with loss of muscle mass and increased adiposity. This change in body composition is likely the inciting event in the development of insulin resistance, an independent risk factor for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Augmentation in Overweight or Obese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Physiologic Study.

Context: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels decline with aging and age-related decline in NAD has been postulated to contribute to age-related diseases.

Objective: We evaluated the safety and physiologic effects of NAD augmentation by administering its precursor, β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (MIB-626, Metro International Biotech, Worcester, MA), in adults at risk for age-related conditions.

Methods: Thirty overweight or obese adults, ≥ 45 years, were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to 2 MIB-626 tablets each containing 500 mg of microcrystalline β-nicotinamide mononucleotide or placebo twice daily for 28 days.

Better Understanding Wearable Activity Monitor Use and Non-Use Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study.

We used qualitative methods to better understand wearable activity monitor (WAM) use and its relationship with physical activity (PA) among older adults. Four focus groups, stratified by current/past ("ever") WAM users and "never" WAM users, were conducted with 57 participants aged ≥60 years. Data were coded with deductive and inductive approaches.

Testosterone replacement in prostate cancer survivors with testosterone deficiency: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer today have organ-confined disease and low risk of disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Testosterone deficiency in prostate cancer survivors contributes to impaired health-related quality of life but testosterone treatment is viewed as a contraindication in this population.

Objectives: We describe the design of the first randomized trial to determine the safety and efficacy of testosterone treatment in men who have undergone prostatectomy for non-aggressive prostate cancer and have symptomatic testosterone deficiency.

Tai Chi and Qigong for trauma exposed populations: A systematic review.

Background: Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress are highly prevalent and comorbid with health problems. Despite the apparent systemic nature of post-traumatic stress, recommended treatments neglect trauma's deleterious effects on health. Integrative mind-body treatments for posttraumatic stress, such as Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ), may offer a promising adjunct to first-line treatments.

Ratings of Perceived Exertion During Walking: Predicting Major Mobility Disability and Effect of Structured Physical Activity in Mobility-Limited Older Adults.

Background: This study evaluated the association between ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of walking and major mobility disability (MMD), as well as their transitions in response to a physical activity (PA) compared to a health education (HE) program.

Methods: Older adults (n = 1633) who were at risk for mobility impairment were randomized to structured PA or HE programs. During a 400 m walk, participants rated exertion as "light" or "hard.

Wearable Activity Monitor Use Is Associated With the Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines and Walking Among Older Adults.

Purpose: To examine wearable activity monitor (WAM) use and its association with meeting the 2008 aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) and walking among older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: FallStyles 2015 national consumer panel survey.

Patient-specific reference values for objective physical function tests: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Introduction/objective: We aimed to establish sex-specific reference values of objective physical function tests among individuals with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) across subsets of age, radiographic KOA severity, and body mass index (BMI).

Method: We included Osteoarthritis Initiative participants with data for objective physical function tests, sex, age, BMI, and radiographic KOA severity (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] grade) at baseline. Objective physical function was quantified with 20-m walk speed, chair-stand speed, 400-m walk time, and knee extension and flexion strength.

Association between Pre-Intervention Physical Activity Level and Treatment Response to Exercise Therapy in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis - An Exploratory Study.

Objective: Examine whether pre-intervention physical activity (PA) level is associated with achieving a positive treatment response of pain and/or function improvement after a 12-week exercise intervention in participants with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized, single-blind comparative effectiveness trial showing similar treatment effects between Tai Chi mind-body exercise and standard physical therapy intervention for knee OA. Baseline PA was assessed by Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) Questionnaire and, in a subsample, by tri-axial accelerometers.

The Effects of Tai Chi Mind-Body Approach on the Mechanisms of Gulf War Illness: an Umbrella Review.

Gulf War illness (GWI) is a chronic and multisymptom disorder affecting military veterans deployed to the 1991 Persian Gulf War. It is characterized by a range of acute and chronic symptoms, including but not limited to, fatigue, sleep disturbances, psychological problems, cognitive deficits, widespread pain, and respiratory and gastrointestinal difficulties. The prevalence of many of these chronic symptoms affecting Gulf War veterans occur at markedly elevated rates compared to nondeployed contemporary veterans.

Physical Activity and Performance Impact Long-term Quality of Life in Older Adults at Risk for Major Mobility Disability.

Introduction: Older adults are a rapidly growing segment of the U.S.

Population: Mobility problems that lead to further disability can be addressed through physical activity interventions.

Community-Based Activity and Sedentary Patterns Are Associated With Cognitive Performance in Mobility-Limited Older Adults.

Over the last few decades, considerable evidence shows that greater levels of aerobic exercise and cardiovascular fitness benefit cognitive performance. However, the degree to which free-living activity in community settings is related to cognitive performance remains unclear, particularly in older adults vulnerable to disability. Also, it is unknown whether the manner in which daily physical activity (PA) and sedentary time are accumulated throughout the day is associated with cognition.

Effect of exercise and nutritional supplementation on health-related quality of life and mood in older adults: the VIVE2 randomized controlled trial.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and absence of depressive symptoms are of great importance for older people, which may be achieved through lifestyle interventions, e.g., exercise and nutrition interventions.

Progressive Resistance Training Improves Torque Capacity and Strength in Mobility-Limited Older Adults.

Background: Progressive resistance training (PRT) is consistently shown to improve muscle strength in older adults. The efficacy of PRT to improve muscle fatigue in older adults with demonstrated mobility limitations remains unclear.

Methods: Mobility-limited (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] ≤ 9) older adults (age 70-92 years) were recruited for this study and randomized to either PRT or home-based flexibility (FLEX) 3 d/wk for 12 weeks.

Translating the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Clinical Trial to Older Adults in a Real-World Community-Based Setting.

Background: The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) clinical trial demonstrated that a structured program of physical activity (PA) reduced mobility-disability in older adults by up to 28%. It remains unknown whether the benefits of LIFE PA can be translated to older adults at risk for mobility-disability in real-world community-based settings. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted the ENhancing independence using Group-based community interventions for healthy AGing in Elders (ENGAGE) pilot study and examined the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of translating LIFE PA to a community-based senior center.

Effect of tai chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of tai chi interventions compared with aerobic exercise, a current core standard treatment in patients with fibromyalgia, and to test whether the effectiveness of tai chi depends on its dosage or duration.

Design: Prospective, randomized, 52 week, single blind comparative effectiveness trial.

Setting: Urban tertiary care academic hospital in the United States between March 2012 and September 2016.