RESEARCH PROJECTS
RECENT PUBLications!
PERSISTENCE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND RISK OF INCIDENT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETES: RESULTS FROM THE REGARDS STUDY
This new article highlights some important secondary outcomes of the REGARDS trial, an 11-year prospective cohort study (N=30,000) examining the impact of untreated depression on CV risk (e.g., stroke). In this study, Dr. Lutes and colleagues’ found that untreated depression in those without diabetes increased risk of stroke, particularly in black patients.
The influence of sex and maturation on carotid and vertebral artery hemodynamics and associations with free-living (in)activity in 6–17-year-olds
Our findings suggest that habitual sedentary behavior may influence cervical artery hemodynamics in youth, independent of physical activity, maturation, and sex.
THE ROLE OF TAILORED PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING TO YOUNG ADULTS DURING COVID-19: “THERE’S A LOT OF AMBIGUITY AROUND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAFE”
This study suggest young adults feel highly responsible for protecting themselves and others from COVID-19, face confusion due to inconsistent public health orders and messaging, and are not reached due to the ineffectiveness of existing strategies.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Internet-based Small Changes for young Adults’ life Longevity and wEight health: The iSCALE Trial
Summary: The purpose of the iSCALE Trial is to develop and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a self-guided, online-delivered, podcast-augmented version of the Small Changes intervention for young adult weight management.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Ashley Felske (afels@mail.ubc.ca).
Status: Active - recruitment complete
Small Changes in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) – A Community-based Adaptation of the Small Changes Behavioural Weight Loss Treatment Approach for Psoriatic Arthritis Patients with Comorbid Obesity
Summary: The purpose of the Small Changes in PsA study is to develop and test a small-changes behavioral weight loss approach for patients with PsA and obesity. This two-part study consists of a (1) a qualitative investigation to explore barriers and facilitators to behavioural weight loss treatment among patients with PsA and obesity, and (2) a randomized controlled trial to test whether patients who participate in the behavioural weight loss program are more likely to lose weight compared with those who receive treatment as usual from their community rheumatology clinic.
Recruitment for Part I is currently underway. This study is being done in collaboration with our principle investigators, Dr. Michelle Teo and Dr. Tavis Campbell.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Tamara Williamson (tamara.williamson@ucalgary.ca) or Sydney Seidel (sydney.seidel@ucalgary.ca).
Status: Active
Behavioural Weight Loss Treatment for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Obesity in Cardiac Rehabilitation – The BE-WEL in CR-AF Study
Summary: The purpose of the BE-WEL in CR-AF study is to develop and test a small-changes behavioral weight loss approach for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and obesity attending a cardiac rehabilitation program. This two-part study consists of a (1) a qualitative investigation to explore barriers and facilitators to behavioural weight loss treatment among patients with AF and obesity, and (2) a randomized controlled trial to test whether patients who receive the behavioural weight loss component during their cardiac rehabilitation program, are more likely to lose 10% of their body weight than those who do cardiac rehab alone.
Recruitment for Part I is currently underway. Any adults with diagnosed atrial fibrillation and a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more are eligible to participate.
To find out more about this study, visit: https://webapps.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/decisions/p/project_details.html?applId=451369&lang=en
If you have any questions or are interested in participating in this study, please contact Tamara Williamson (tamara.williamson@ucalgary.ca)
Status: Active
Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Vaccine Confidence Digital App for Young Adults
Summary: Our primary purpose is to evaluate the implementation of STOP COVID!, a digital-based intervention designed to improve vaccine confidence and likelihood of uptake in young adults (18-29 years). This project has two primary aims: (1) to understand the causes and contributing factors to vaccine hesitancy and confidence in young adults, and; (2) to co-design, implement and evaluate STOP COVID! a digital health intervention to improve vaccine confidence.
Funding for this project was provided the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Operating Grant.
Status: Active
The iPROTECT Study: Developing and testing an online intervention to improve the uptake and maintenance of personal protective behaviours against COVID-19
Summary: Funding for this project was received by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), COVID-19 Research Gaps and Priorities Grant. The purpose of this project is to design, develop, and test a brief web-based intervention to improve adherence to personal protective behaviours related to COVID-19 prevention among the Canadian general population, with a focus on physical distancing, face masks and vaccination, and to examine the differential effect of this approach among young adults (25 and younger) and males who are at higher risk for non-adherence to protective behaviours.
This study is in its early stages, please contact Chelsea Moran (chelsea.moran1@ucalgary.ca) or Sydney Seidel (sydney.seidel@ucalgary.ca) for any questions.
Status: Active
Tree of Hope: Health and Wellness Index for Kelowna Youth - Growing Healthy Children
The Kelowna Youth project is a collaboration between the CORE lab and Dr. Ali McManus in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC-O seeking to index both the physical and mental well-being of youth in Kelowna. Read more here. Watch more here.
Status: Active
Eminence Cluster: A community-based health cluster analysis
Dr. Lesley Lutes is working in collaboration with 10 other faculty members at UBC Okanagan to create a cluster that draws upon members’ expertise and identifies opportunities to design, implement and evaluate interventions that address community-identified health priorities. The CORE team is specifically focusing on mental health and well-being priorities.
Status: Active
Recently completed projects
enhance covid-19 rct
ENHANCE COVID-19 is utilizing the ENHANCE program, an evidence-based well-being program, in order to improve subjective well-being during the pandemic. This is a 12 session program delivered in an online format.
Status: Completed - Primary manuscript in preparation
GRADUATE TRAINING IN INTEGRATED PRIMARY CARE STUDY
Graduate students enrolled in professional psychology programs in Canada are invited to participate in a newly designed training on integrated primary care. This study aims to evaluate a brief online training curriculum on integrated primary care which has been adapted from the American Psychology Association’s, Society for Health Psychology’s (Division 38) foundational training.
Status: Completed - Primary manuscript in preparation
inspire trial
INSPIRE is a one-year, randomized controlled trial comparing a new weight loss approach that focuses on improving well-being in addition to changes in nutrition and physical activity against an existing evidence-based approach.
Status: Completed - Primary manuscript in preparation
International Weight loss Trial
The International Weight Loss Trial is an international multi-site trial comparing a commercial weight loss program to a do-it-yourself approach for individuals with overweight or obesity.
https://www.weightlosstrial.org/
Status: Completed - Primary outcome manuscript in preparation
tracit: a modified dietary monitoring app
This honours thesis investigated the utility, efficacy and, validity of using TRACIT, a dietary monitoring app designed to be less burdensome, compared to a standard tracking application (MyFitness Pal ®) in a 10-week weight-management intervention with a young adult population.
Status: Completed - Primary outcome manuscript in preparation
ENHANCE 2.0: Enduring Happiness and continued self-enhancement
ENHANCE 2.0 is a randomized controlled trial comparing the ENHANCE well-being program to a gold-standard self-help work book (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction).
Status: Completed - Primary outcome manuscript in preparation
The Yale 24hr FFQ: Scale validation
The CORE Lab is currently working with Yale University to validate the Yale 24 hr Food Frequency Questionnaire, which is an evidence-based, innovative measure used to track dietary intake.
Status: Completed - Primary outcome manuscript submitted for publication
Check out Photos of our new CFI-FUnded centre!
