AgeWise Research StudiesAging WellThe University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is conducting inter-related research studies funded by the National Institute on Aging to learn more about aging and to develop ways to help people cope with the challenges of late life. The formal title of this program is “Aging Well, Sleeping Efficiently: Intervention Studies.” Known collectively as “AgeWise,” these studies focus on the role of sleep, especially as it relates to mental health, physical health, functioning, and well-being. We are studying:
For more information, contact the AgeWise Research Study Program by
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We’re looking for: men and women over 60 who have been widowed within the past six months and are not taking antidepressant medication. Selected participants will be divided at random into two groups. One group will be taught ways to develop a very regular daily routine, including sleep, by a therapist. The other group will have sessions with a therapist in which the triggers to grief are discussed. All sessions will be one-on-one with the therapist. All participants will keep diaries of their daily events, including sleep. Other study components include sleep evaluations and assessments. Compensation for completing the study and taxi transportation to and from Oakland for all visits is provided. For more details, contact the study coordinator, Joette Zarotney, at 412-246-6447 or e-mail zarotneyjr@upmc.edu.
We’re looking for: people over 60 who are caring for a spouse or live-in partner with progressive dementia or Alzheimer disease and are feeling some strain in their caregiving role. Those selected to participate will be divided into two groups. In one group, caregivers will receive assistance with planning and maintaining a healthy diet for themselves and their spouse. In the other group, caregivers will learn several different coping and healthy sleeping techniques to help feel better-rested and better-able to care for their spouse. All sessions will be conducted in participants’ homes at their convenience. Other study components include in-home sleep evaluations and assessments. Participants also will be asked to travel to UPMC in Oakland for medical checkups. Respite care during study sessions is provided as well as taxi transportation to and from Oakland for medical checkups. Compensation for completing the study is provided. For more details, contact the study coordinator, Bonnee Wettlaufer, at 866-647-3440 (toll-free) or e-mail wettlauferbe@upmc.edu.
We’re looking for: people over 60 who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or who feel poorly rested despite having adequate opportunity for sleep. Those who are selected to participate will be divided into two groups. One group will be given educational information to read on sleep, insomnia, and healthy sleep practices. The other group will have sessions with a nurse to learn behavioral treatments for insomnia. Both groups will receive clinical assessments and have in-home sleep evaluations. Compensation will be provided for completing the study. For more details, contact the study coordinator, Laurie Brar, at 412-246-6445 or e-mail brarlk@upmc.edu.
We’re looking for: healthy people over 75 who are sleeping well, are without mental health problems, and without sleep problems. Some older adults never leave their homes. Others jog, garden, or volunteer in their communities. Researchers in this study want to find out more about healthy aging by studying people who are already doing well in their later years. This study will look at the effect of education about good sleep habits and healthy dietary practices on maintaining health and well-being. Those selected to participate in this study will receive ongoing checkups
of their health over a two-and-a-half year period. These evaluations
include sleep studies.
Healthy Aging & Brain Function We’re looking for: healthy men and women over 75 who are sleeping well and are without health problems. The latest technology, including PET, MRI, and sleep studies, will be used to learn how age and sleep interventions affect sleep and the brain. Those selected to participate in this study will also be selected to participate in the healthy aging study detailed above. Participants in this study, if interested and eligible, will complete studies of brain functioning using PET and MRI imaging. By studying how the brain functions, we hope to learn more about improving the quality of life of adults in their later years. Participants will be compensated upon completion of this study. Taxi transportation to and from Oakland can be provided if requested. For more details, contact the study coordinator, Bethany Sholtis, at 412-246-6404 or e-mail sholtisbl@upmc.edu.
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