scholarly journals The Feasibility of Using Computrition Software for Nutrition Research—A Pilot Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Courtney L. Millar ◽  
Alegria Cohen ◽  
Stephen P. Juraschek ◽  
Abby Foley ◽  
Misha Shtivelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Meal Plan ◽  
Post Hoc

We evaluated the feasibility of using Computrition to design and implement a low vs. typical sodium meal plan intervention for older adults. Dietitians used Computrition to design a 7-day meal plan with three caloric levels (≤1750, 2000, ≥2250 kcals/day) and two sodium densities (low = 0.9 mg/kcal; n = 11 or typical = 2 mg/kcal; n = 9). Feasibility was determined by post-hoc definitions of effectiveness, sodium compliance, palatability of diet, sustainability, and safety. Given the low number of participants in one of the three calorie groups, the higher calorie groups were combined. Thus, comparisons are between low vs. typical meal plans at two calorie levels (≤1750 or ≥2000 kcals/day). Overall, regardless of the calorie group, the meal plans created with Computrition were effective in reaching the targeted sodium density and were safe for participants. Furthermore, individuals appeared to be equally compliant and reported similar palatability across meal plans. However, one of the three criteria for the sustainability definition was not met. In conclusion, we successfully used Computrition to design low and typical sodium meal plans that were effective, compliable, and safe. Future studies of older adults in similar settings should focus on improving the palatability of the meal plans and scaling this protocol to larger studies in older adults.

Acceptability of Assisted Suicide in Patients With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

GeroPsych ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sophie Gloeckler ◽  
Manuel Trachsel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Shared Values ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Persistent Mental Illness ◽  
Moral Attitudes

Abstract. In Switzerland, assisted suicide (AS) may be granted on the basis of a psychiatric diagnosis. This pilot study explored the moral attitudes and beliefs of nurses regarding these practices through a quantitative survey of 38 psychiatric nurses. The pilot study, which serves to inform hypothesis development and future studies, showed that participating nurses supported AS and valued the reduction of suffering in patients with severe persistent mental illness. Findings were compared with those from a previously published study presenting the same questions to psychiatrists. The key differences between nurses’ responses and psychiatrists’ may reflect differences in the burden of responsibility, while similarities might capture shared values worth considering when determining treatment efforts. More information is needed to determine whether these initial findings represent nurses’ views more broadly.

676 Age is only a number: Treatment modality preferences in a randomized controlled trial of CBTI in older adults

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A264-A264
Author(s):  
Norah Simpson ◽  
Isabelle Tully ◽  
Jessica Dietch ◽  
Joshua Tutek ◽  
Rachel Manber
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Treatment Preference ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Modality Preference ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Abstract Introduction Use of telemedicine platforms for conducting CBTI has the potential to reach more patients than in person treatment alone. While CBTI has been shown to be effective in older adults, questions about proficiency with technology and preference for treatment modality have not been addressed. Methods Baseline data from participants in the RCT of the Effectiveness of Stepped-Care Sleep Therapy In General Practice (RESTING) study were used. Analyses compared CBTI treatment modality preference (in person, online [video platform], no preference) across the following variables: insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index; ISI), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale; GDS), cognitive functioning (telephone-based cognitive screen) and internet proficiency (IP; assessing comfort with and frequency of internet use). Data collected prior to the pandemic-shut down (March 2020) were utilized for the primary analysis of treatment preference; n=71, mean age = 62.5 (SD = 8.1); 64.8% female; treatment preferences: in person (33.8%), no preference (25.4%), online (40.8%). A secondary analysis compared IP data from participants with baseline data from pre-pandemic (Nov 2019-Feb 2020, n=71), early pandemic (March-June 2020, n=28), and late pandemic (the most recent four months of enrollment, July 2020-Nov 2020, n=40) periods. Results Pre-pandemic, age was not significantly associated with treatment modality preference, nor any baseline clinical characteristics or demographic variables (p’s >.01). Only ‘comfort’ and ‘comfort+frequency’ scores from the internet proficiency measure differed significantly between treatment preference groups (p’s<.002). Post-hoc analyses revealed the online group had significantly higher comfort and comfort+frequency scores than the in person group (p’s<. 003). Comparing data from pre-pandemic, early pandemic, and late pandemic, frequency of internet use and comfort+frequency with internet use differed across groups (p’s <.004). Post-hoc comparisons revealed frequency of internet use scores were higher in the late pandemic compared to pre-pandemic (p=.003). Conclusion These findings suggest that comfort using technology, but not age or clinical characteristics, is associated with treatment modality preference for patients with insomnia who are enrolled in a technology-based clinical trial of CBTI. As proficiency in use of technology increases, for example, during and following the pandemic, one can expect that telemedicine will be an increasingly viable approach to providing CBTI among older adults. Support (if any) 1R01AG057500

scholarly journals The Effects of a Low Sodium Meal Plan on Blood Pressure in Older Adults: The SOTRUE Randomized Feasibility Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 964
Author(s):  
Stephen P. Juraschek ◽  
Courtney L. Millar ◽  
Abby Foley ◽  
Misha Shtivelman ◽  
Alegria Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Creatinine Ratio ◽  
Urine Sodium ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Sodium Diet ◽  
Low Sodium ◽  
Federal Department ◽  
Meal Plan

Reduced sodium meal plans are recommended by the Centers of Disease Control to lower blood pressure in older adults; however, this strategy has not been tested in a clinical trial. The Satter House Trial of Reduced Sodium Meals (SOTRUE) was an individual-level, double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study of adults living in a congregate living facility subsidized by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Adults over age 60 years ate 3 isocaloric meals with two snacks daily for 14 days. The meal plans differed in sodium density (<0.95 vs. >2 mg/kcal), but were equivalent in potassium and macronutrients. Seated systolic BP (SBP) was the primary outcome, while urine sodium-creatinine ratio was used to measure compliance. Twenty participants were randomized (95% women; 95% white; mean age 78 ± 8 years), beginning in 7 October 2019. Retention was 100% with the last participant ending 4 November 2019. Mean baseline SBP changed from 121 to 116 mmHg with the typical sodium diet (−5 mmHg; 95% CI: −18, 8) and from 123 to 112 mmHg with the low sodium diet (−11 mmHg; 95% CI: −15.2, −7.7). Compared to the typical sodium meal plan, the low sodium meal plan lowered SBP by 4.8 mmHg (95% CI: −14.4, 4.9; p = 0.31) and urine sodium-creatinine ratio by 36% (−36.0; 95% CI: −60.3, 3.4; p = 0.07), both non-significant. SOTRUE demonstrates the feasibility of sodium reduction in federally mandated meal plans. A longer and larger study is needed to establish the efficacy and safety of low sodium meals in older adults.

The HEAR‐VA Pilot Study: Hearing Assistance Provided to Older Adults in the Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1071-1078
Author(s):  
Joshua Chodosh ◽  
Keith Goldfeld ◽  
Barbara E. Weinstein ◽  
Kate Radcliffe ◽  
Madeleine Burlingame ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pilot Study

scholarly journals How Do Patients with Life-Limiting Illness and Caregivers Want End-Of-Life Prognostic Information Delivered? A Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Ebony T. Lewis ◽  
Kathrine A. Hammill ◽  
Maree Ticehurst ◽  
Robin M. Turner ◽  
Sally Greenaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Delivery Format ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
To Receive

We aimed to identify the level of prognostic disclosure, type of prognostic information and delivery format of prognostic communication that older adults diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or caregivers prefer to receive. We developed and pilot tested an open-ended survey to 15 older patients and caregivers who had experience in health services for life-limiting illness either for a relative, friend or themselves. Five hypothetical clinical scenarios of prognostic options were presented to ascertain preferences. The preferred format to receive prognostic information was verbal delivery by the clinician with a written summary. Photos and videos were less favoured, and a table with numbers/percentages was least preferred. Distress levels to the prognostic scenarios were low, with the exception of a photo. We conclude that older patients/caregivers want end-of-life prognostic information delivered the traditional way, verbally by clinicians. Options to deliver prognostic information may vary across patient groups but empower clinicians in introducing end-of-life discussions with patients/caregivers. Our study illustrates the feasibility of involving terminal patients and caregivers in research that contributes to eliciting prognostic preferences. Further research is needed to understand whether the prognostic preferences of hospitalized patients with life-limiting illness differ.

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