Effects of a 24-week resistance training program on parameters of the metabolic syndrome, cognitive function, and quality of life in older adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
We aimed to conduct a single-blinded randomized controlled trial examining the effects of a 24-week resistance training (RT) program compared to usual senior care (control) on parameters of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), cognitive function and quality of life (QoL) in older adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Twenty participants were recruited from senior care communities within the greater Philadelphia region. Participants who met our eligibility criteria were randomized to 24 weeks of RT or usual senior care (control). Primary outcome measures of the MetS include resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles, waist and hip circumferences and height, body weight and body mass index measurements at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Secondary outcome measures include assessments of cognitive function with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and QoL with the Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey. Descriptive statistics and mixed factorial analyses of covariance with repeated measures determine whether parameters of the MetS, cognitive function and QoL differ between RT and control groups across the 24-week intervention. Information gained from the current research may provide valuable insight regarding the use of RT as non-pharmacologic lifestyle therapies for the treatment of controllable cardiovascular disease risk factors for MetS or MetS as a clustered syndrome, providing evidence as to whether such therapies can improve prognoses and/or delay progressions of cognitive impairment in these vulnerable populations.
Collaborators:
Molly Crumley, RN, BSN, MBA
Regional Director of Operations
Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia
Emily Gavin
Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Services Manager, Dementia Care Trainer
Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia
Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Traditional and Non-Traditional Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Chronic Kidney and End-Stage Renal Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of studies examining the response of traditional and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) to aerobic exercise (AE) in samples living with chronic kidney (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A systematic search of the literature was conducted. Studies retrieved included an acute and/or chronic AE intervention and modifiable CVD risk factors before and after AE and control. Effect sizes (d+) were determined for each risk factor from each intervention arm of each study. Meta‑regression techniques were used to determine the variance in d+ explained by clinical sample features and study quality. A preliminary screen of the qualifying studies (k=15, n=866) found that the samples often included middle-aged (51.8±11.4 yr.), overweight (29.6±4.3 kg·m2) men (60.7%) and women (39.3%) with prehypertension (130.3±10.2/78.6±6.6 mmHg) and diabetes (205.5±121.6 mgdl-1). AE training interventions (k=11) were often performed at 58.6±10.8% of peak oxygen consumption for 33.5±9.7 min·session‑1, 4.0±1.5 d·wk-1 for 27.0±20.5 wk. Acute AE interventions (k=4) were often performed with graded exercise testing protocols. Preliminary analyses found clinical sample features to explain large proportions of the variance in the change of systolic blood pressure (SBP) for acute AE and triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) for AE training (p<.001). However, these effect sizes were found to be small and non‑significant across trials. Although clinical sample features appear to explain large proportions of the variance in the change of SBP, TG, HDL, LDL and TC, AE was found to have little to no effect on the change in risk factors among a larger sample of patients living with CKD. Our findings, albeit preliminary, appear to indicate that the current exercise recommendations for those living with CKD or ESRD may be insufficient for reducing CVD risk factors; however, these findings must be further explored, reconfirmed and substantiated in our larger meta-analysis of 24,216 trials retrieved from the systematic search of the literature.
Collaborators:
Janice Masud-Paul, MS
Health Sciences Librarian, Drexel University
Samuel Headley, PhD
Director of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Springfield College
Effects of high intensity interval training on acylated ghrelin and perceived hunger in college-age students
We aim to compare the acute effects and long-term adaptations of a 12-week high intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) or no-exercise (CONT) program on acylated ghrelin and perceived hunger in normal weight (body mass index [BMI] 25 kg/m2 and overweight 25 kg/m2) college-age students. A stratified random sample of 60 sedentary students will be enrolled in equal numbers (normal weight and overweight) into the three groups. Primary outcome measures include acylated ghrelin and perceived hunger. Secondary outcome measures explore program compliance and psychological motives. Information gained may provide insight regarding use of HIIT as a lifestyle therapy for body weight regulation, perhaps via an interdependence where energy expenditure influences energy intake. Exploratory aims will take advantage of the relatively long-term (12-week) exercise training program to examine participant compliance and adherence, exercise motives and affective responses to exercise, and potential relationships between schema (identify) and physical and psychological variables.
Collaborators:
Stephen Samendinger, PhD
Doctoral Student Research Supervision and Mentoring:
Mansour Altayyar
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2020-present
Laura Baehr
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Program
2020-present
Elizabeth Euler
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Program
2020-present
Sokha Koeuth
Doctor of Health Sciences, Scholarship Project, Supervising Mentor College of Nursing and Health Professions
2019-present
Robert Lee
Doctor of Health Sciences, Scholarship Project, Supervising Mentor College of Nursing and Health Professions
2019-present
Asma Altasan
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2018-2021
Lisa Lanza-Lopez
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2016-2020
Manal Naseeb
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2017-2020
Joseph Stanzione
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2017-2020
Abigail Duffine-Gilman
Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2016-2019
Master Student Research Supervision and Mentoring:
Maria Terry
Master of Science, Master Thesis Project, Committee Member Nutrition Sciences Program
2017-2019
Undergraduate Student Research Supervision and Mentoring:
Kassady Gatz
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fall 2022 – Winter 2023
Sriragini Ponnaluri
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Fall 2022 – Winter 2023
Charles Williams
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fall 2022 – Winter 2023
Auburn Hackney
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fall 2022 – Winter 2023
Alexandra Barbone
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2022 – Summer 2022
Shay Fisher
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2022 – Summer 2022
Theo Girard
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2022 – Summer 2022
Preethy Patel
Bachelor of Science, Undergraduate Research Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2022 – Summer 2022
Susan Bradley
Bachelor of Science, Macy Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program Health Services Administration
Fall 2021-Spring 2022
Hannah Murphy
Bachelor of Science, Senior Project
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2022 – Spring 2022
Everett Lowe
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Fal1 2021 – Winter 2022
Lauren Braccili
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Fal1 2021 – Winter 2022
Janvi Patel
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fal1 2021 – Winter 2022
Christopher Khouri
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Spring 2021 – Summer 2021
Zachary Mandell
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Spring 2021 – Summer 2021
Ahmael Alexander
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2021 – Summer 2021
Gayoun Kim
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2021 – Summer 2021
Branden Perry
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biomedical Engineering Program
Spring 2021 – Summer 2021
Patrick Henderson
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fal1 2020 – Winter 2021
Rachel Bennett
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fal1 2020 – Winter 2021
Monica Patel
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Fal1 2020 – Winter 2021
Khang Duong
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biomedical Engineering Program
Fal1 2020 – Winter 2021
Anastasia Weggel
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biomedical Engineering Program
Fal1 2020 – Winter 2021
Amy Kwok
Bachelor of Science, Honors Option Project
Health Sciences Program
Summer 2021
Julian Rath
Bachelor of Science, Pathway to Supernova Project
Biological Sciences Program
Winter 2021 – Spring 2021
Lauren Graft
Bachelor of Science, Honors Option Project
Health Sciences Program
Winter 2021 – Spring 2021
Christopher Khouri
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Zachary Mandell
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Cameron Harrington
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Jillian Kostenbauder
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Alicia Muench
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Danielle Nehring
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Peyton Paschell
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biomedical Engineering Program
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020
Margaret Daeche
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Health Sciences Program
Spring 2020 - Summer 2020
Esther Han
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fal1 2019 – Winter 2020
Talbot Stone
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Biological Sciences Program
Fal1 2019 – Winter 2020
Margaret Baker
Bachelor of Science, Honors Option Project
Health Sciences Program
Winter 2020
Kasi White
Bachelor of Science, Honors Option Project
Health Sciences Program
Winter 2020
Shannon McAleer
Bachelor of Science, Independent Study Project
Health Sciences Program
Fall 2020
Parina Depani
Bachelor of Science, Co-Op Experience
Nutrition Sciences Program
Spring 2019 - Summer 2019
Alumni:
|
Student
|
Year of Completion
|
Current Role |
|
 Mikayla McGrath
|
2018
|
Partnerships at Covera Health
|
|
 Kyra Gray
|
2018
|
Dual Master of Public Health and Physician Assistant Student at Emory University
|
|
 Marissa Pontarelli
|
2018
|
Registered nurse at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
|
|
 Danielle DiCicco
|
2019
|
Emergency medicine physician assistant at Christiana Care
|
|
 Nina Park
|
2019
|
Associate scientist II, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
|
 Elizabeth Sinclair
|
2020
|
Primary care physician assistant, NYC Health+Hospitals
|
|
 Parina Depani
|
2020
|
Clinical dietician at Mayo Clinic
|
|
 Shannon McAleer
|
2021
|
Physical therapy aide at Virtua Health
|
|
Margaret Baker
|
2020
|
Physical therapy student at Drexel University
|
|
 Talbot Stone
|
2022
|
|
|
 Esther Han
|
2021
|
|
|
 Margaret Daeche
|
2021
|
Physical therapy student at Drexel University
|
|
 Peyton Paschell
|
2021
|
Medical student at Clarke Illinois College of Medicine
|
|
Danielle Nehring
|
2021
|
|
|
 Alicia Muench
|
2022
|
Emergency medical technician at Penn Medicine
|
|
Jillian Kostenbauder
|
2022
|
Medical assistant at Bryn Mawr Skin and Cancer Institute
|
|
 Cameron Harrington
|
2021
|
Medical scribe at Robinhood Healthcare
|
|
 Lauren Graft
|
2021
|
Physical therapy student at Marymount University
|
|
 Anastasia Weggel
|
2022
|
|
|
 Khang Duong
|
2025
|
Information technology specialist assistant at Johns Hopkins University
|
|
 Monica Patel
|
2022
|
Physician assistant student at Drexel University
|
|
 Gayoun Kim
|
2022
|
|
|
 Ahmael Alexander
|
2022
|
Medical scribe at Clara Maass Medical Center
|
|
 Hannah Murphy
|
2022
|
Research assistant at Penn Medicine
|
Internal Collaborators:
Brandy-Joe Milliron
Associate Professor, Collaborator
Jennifer Nasser
Associate Professor, Director of the PhD in Nutrition Sciences program, Co-investigator
Deeptha Sukumar
Associate Professor, Collaborator
Stephen Samendinger
Assistant Teaching Professor, Collaborator
Steven Vitti
Assistant Teaching Professor, Collaborator
Girija Kaimal
Assistant Dean, Division of Human Development and Health Administration
Ebony White
Assistant Clinical Professor
Justine Sefcik
Assistant Professor
Nyree Dardarian
Assistant Clinical Professor
Patricia Shewokis
Professor
Margaret Finley
Associate Professor
Kevin Gard
Clinical Professor
College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean's Office:
Laura N. Gitlin
Distinguished Professor, Collaborator
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili
Associate Dean for Research, Collaborator
Drexel University Libraries:
Janice Masud-Paul
Liaison Librarian, Collaborator
External Collaborators:
Veda Giri
Medical Doctor, Associate Professor, Collaborator
Division of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Patty Pokrandt
Director of Educational and Professional Development, Collaborator
Trinity Health PACE
Molly Crumley
Regional Director of Operations
Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia
Emily Gavin
Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Services Manager, Dementia Care Trainer
Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia
Stella L. Volpe
Chair and Professor, Co-investigator
Virginia Tech
Linda Pescatello
University of Connecticut
Samuel Headley
Springfield College
Zina Trost
Virginia Commonwealth University
Mohammed Hankir
University Hospital Wuerzurg