Clinical Research Oriented Workshop (CROW) Meeting: May 8, 2014

Present:  Marianne Burke, Kairn Kelley, Rodger Kessler, Ben Littenberg, Connie van Eeghen

Start Up: How to tell when someone is willing to accept a complement about shaving skills.

1.                  Discussion: GeoMed Online Dashboard overview by Ben

a.       REDCap survey tool disseminated through many on-line sources to collect data on BMI and location

                                                  i.      750 responses to date, from the mid-East to Pacific islands

                                                ii.      STATA “do” file takes in REDCap spreadsheet and automatically produces graphics, when run

                                              iii.      May be able to increase responses through community-based project websites, such as REDDIT

b.      Geo Med Drivers: 5 states (VT, ME, OR, WA, IL) resulting in 21.5m records

                                                  i.      Drivers’ records differ by states; data are cleaned through a “do” file, missing files from ME for date of issue

                                                ii.      Obesity varies by state of residence and age

                                              iii.      Obesity peaks in the fifties and falls through the 70s and 80s

c.       County analysis of behavioral health risk data from adults (~900,000) in every county (8000) in the U.S.

                                                  i.      Added census and geographic data by county

2.                  Next Workshop Meeting(s): Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at Given Courtyard South Level 4.   Remember: the first 15 minutes are for checking in with each other.

a.       May 8: Status update on geomed and Twitter research – Ben Littenberg

b.      May 15: Vegetables, depression and cardiac outcomes and women – Rodger Kessler’s selection for journal article review

c.       May 22: Emily’s other paper (no Marianne)

d.      May 29:

Recorder: Connie van Eeghen

Here's a new article by Susan Kasser, PhD, Associate Professor of Movement Science and colleagues:

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Jun;93(6):461-9. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000049.

Exploring physical activity in women with multiple sclerosis: associations with fear of falling and underlying impairments.

Kasser SL1, Jacobs JV, Littenberg B, Foley JT, Cardinal BJ, Maddalozzo GF.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of fear of falling (FoF), balance, gait, and strength impairments and future physical activity in women with multiple sclerosis.

DESIGN:

This prospective study followed a convenience sample of 99 women with multiple sclerosis for 1 yr. The participants were assessed on FoF and perceived mental health by questionnaire. Objective measures included Limits of Stability, the Sensory Organization Test, and the Functional Ambulation Profile. Strength was quantified by knee extensor power asymmetry. Activity-specific metabolic equivalent values were used to determine minutes per week of moderate and vigorous physical activity.

RESULTS:

Future physical activity most strongly associated with baseline FoF (R = 0.09, P < 0.01), and baseline FoF associated with limits of stability and lower extremity strength asymmetry (R = 0.21, P < 0.001). Follow-up FoF is best predicted by initial levels of FoF independent of intervening falls (β = 3.26, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Future physical activity of women with multiple sclerosis was best predicted by FoF independent of physical and mental functioning. Increased FoF was associated with greater lower extremity strength asymmetry and decreased limits of stability rather than with the experience of falls.

Clinical Research Oriented Workshop (CROW) Meeting: May 1, 2014

Present:  Marianne Burke, Kairn Kelley, Amanda Kennedy, Rodger Kessler, Ben Littenberg, Emily Tarleton, Connie van Eeghen

Start Up: The Importance of Celebrating Life in Paris (or wherever); The Importance of Getting Feedback and Responding to it Honestly

1.                  Discussion: Manuscript titled: “Magnesium Intake and Depression in US Adults” led by Emily and Ben:

a.       Emily and Ben are going to submit to the Journal of Clinical Nutrition (audience is nutritionists, not epidemiologists or psychiatrists)

b.      The discussion about supplementation does not clearly address the use of medications in the population under study.  Should it be included or used as exclusion criteria?

c.       The introduction was a strong literature review; is that needed in this kind of journal article?

d.      The discussion of elderly seems incomplete, given the final results.

e.       The “board of editors” found the article to be very strong, and recommended submission as soon as fine tuning could be completed.  Well done!

2.                  Next Workshop Meeting(s): Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at Given Courtyard South Level 4.   Remember: the first 15 minutes are for checking in with each other.

a.       May 8: Status update on geomed and Twitter research – Ben Littenberg

b.      May 15: Vegetables, depression and cardiac outcomes and women – Rodger Kessler’s selection for journal article review

c.       May 22: Emily’s other paper (no Marianne)

d.      May 29:???

Recorder: Connie van Eeghen