Exploring illness perceptions of multimorbidity among community-dwelling older adults: a mixed methods study.

Background: Illness perceptions are individual beliefs or experiences about the nature and treatment of their illness. Although extensive research exists about illness perceptions, little is known about illness perceptions of multimorbidity.

Methods: The purpose of this parallel-convergent mixed-methods study was to comprehensively explore illness perception of multimorbidity among community dwelling older adults.

The Impact of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention on Inflammatory Cytokines in Older Adults Living With Type 2 Diabetes: A Feasibility Study.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of a behavioral lifestyle intervention on inflammatory cytokines and frailty in older adults (≥ 65 years) with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Method: We conducted a single-arm, 6-month intervention supplemented with diet and activity self-monitoring technology. We assessed frailty using Fried criteria and quantified inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating-factor [GM-CSF], interferon [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor [TNF-α]) using a multiplex assay.

The Influence of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Fatigue and Tryptophan Metabolism After Acute and Chronic Exercise in Older Adults: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Fatigue is a strong predictor of negative health outcomes in older adults. Kynurenine, a metabolite of tryptophan, is strongly associated with fatigue. Reductions in fatigue are observed with exercise; however, exercise training does not completely alleviate symptoms.

Intervention in Older Urban-Dwelling Veterans With Dysmobility: Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility Clinical Trial.

Background: The majority of older veterans do not meet the minimum healthy diet or physical activity recommendations despite known benefits. Identifying ways to increase adherence to programs that improve dietary quality and physical activity may reduce the risk of disability in older veterans. Peer-based interventions may be one method for facilitating lasting behavior change because peers often share a common culture and knowledge regarding problems their community experiences.

Type 2 Diabetes Independent of Glycemic Control is Associated With Cognitive Impairments: Findings From NHANES.

Examine the association between glycemic control and cognition. Included subjects ≥60 years who participated in the 2013 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and completed one of the followings: Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List (CERAD-WL), Animal Fluency (AF), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and CERAD-Delayed Recall (CERAD-DR). Stratified participants into: No type 2 diabetes (T2D;  = 557), Controlled T2D ( = 41), Uncontrolled T2D ( = 120), and Untreated T2D ( = 86).

Exercise and Creatine Supplementation to Augment the Adaptation of Exercise Training Among Breast Cancer Survivors Completing Chemotherapy: Protocol for an Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial (the THRIVE Study).

Background: In breast cancer survivors, chemotherapy-induced muscle loss has been shown to be attenuated with structured resistance exercise. Creatine supplementation can increase bioenergetics in skeletal muscle, which helps to improve overall strength and endurance and reduce muscular fatigue. Therefore, we hypothesize that adding creatinine supplementation to exercise training will accelerate improvements in strength, endurance, and bioenergetics in breast cancer survivors.

Effect of Dietary Intake Through Whole Foods on Cognitive Function: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose Of Review: This review evaluated recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the chronic intake of whole foods associated with the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurogenerative Delay (MIND), and ketogenic (KETO) diets on cognitive function.

Recent Findings: We identified RCTs related to olive oil (N = 3), nuts (N = 7), fatty fish (N = 1), lean meats (N = 4), fruits and vegetables (N = 9), legumes (N = 1), and low-fat dairy (N = 4), with 26/29 reporting positive results on at least one measure of cognition. We also identified 6 RCTs related to whole food-induced KETO diets, with half reporting positive effects on cognition.

Personalized Behavioral Nutrition Among Older Asian Americans: Study Protocol.

Background: Metabolomics profiling is an objective assessment of metabolic responses to intricate dietary patterns. However, few studies have investigated the potential benefits associated with personalized behavioral nutrition (PBN) interventions incorporating the metabolomics approach for improving diabetes outcomes for older Asian Americans with Type 2 diabetes.

Objective: This article describes the protocol for a pilot study testing self-management of a nutrition intervention-provided personalized dietary advice incorporating metabolites phenotypic feedback and digital self-monitoring of diet and blood glucose.

Assessing acceptability and patient experience of a behavioral lifestyle intervention using fitbit technology in older adults to manage type 2 diabetes amid COVID-19 pandemic: A focus group study.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) contributes to reduced quality of life in older adults, especially in those with comorbidities such as being overweight or obese. Personal fitness technology (Fitbit ®) has the potential to improve the management of T2D. Using a semi-structured interview guide, focus groups were conducted to explore participants' acceptability and experiences following a behavioral lifestyle intervention that integrated Fitbit in overweight/obese older adults with T2D amid the COVID-19 pandemic which began during the time of this study.

A geriatrics walking clinic improves hemoglobin A1c and timed gait in older veterans with type 2 diabetes.

Over one quarter of older adults in the U.S. has diabetes; and, physical activity is important for the promotion of healthy aging in this population.

Technology-Assisted Self-Monitoring of Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Indicators in Diabetes: Qualitative Study.

Background: Self-monitoring is key to successful behavior change in diabetes and obesity, and the use of traditional paper-based methods of self-monitoring may be time-consuming and burdensome.

Objective: This study aimed to explore participant experiences while using technology-assisted self-monitoring of lifestyle behaviors and health indicators among overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Qualitative data collected from the intervention group of a 6-month, three-arm (control, paper diary, and technology-assisted self-monitoring groups) randomized clinical trial were analyzed.

Changes in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures With a Technology-Supported Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: In the United States, more than one-third of the adult population is obese, and approximately 25.2% of those aged ≥65 years have type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is the seventh leading cause of death. It is important to measure patient-reported outcomes and monitor progress or challenges over time when managing T2D to understand patients' perception of health and quantify the impact of disease processes or intervention effects.

Rationale and Study Design of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Metformin to Prevent Frailty in Older Adults With Prediabetes.

Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that leads to poor health outcomes with aging. Previous studies have demonstrated that insulin resistance and inflammation predict frailty onset. Metformin is a widely used, well-tolerated drug that improves insulin sensitivity and displays anti-inflammatory properties.

Review of Interventions for the Frailty Syndrome and the Role of Metformin as a Potential Pharmacologic Agent for Frailty Prevention.

Purpose: Frailty is a syndrome of vulnerability and physical decline with aging that increases risk for disability, hospitalizations, and death. To date, interventions for frailty have primarily focused on exercise and/or nutritional interventions, many of which show improvement in frailty-related characteristics, such as gait speed and lower extremity strength and function. The goal of this article was to review prior research studies investigating interventions for frailty and review the literature with regard to the role of insulin resistance and inflammation in the development of frailty.

Understanding Self-regulation Behaviors in South Asians With Coronary Artery Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: South Asians (SAs) have a well-documented risk for mortality related to coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is a lack of evidence to guide the implementation and dissemination of primary and secondary interventions to control and deter progression of CAD in SAs.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore and describe self-regulation behaviors in SAs with CAD using Leventhal's Common Sense Model.