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I’m Coles, and I spend most of my time doing research or exploring the outdoors! I have a PhD with an emphasis in the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia, a Master of Counseling, and a background in clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

I plan to share all things research related to global health, health behaviors, health disparities, health interventions, mobile health application development, health program development, and cognitive function here!

Check out up-to-date articles on preventing cognitive decline through healthy lifestyle behaviors, or stop by my blog if you’re interested in diving into my thoughts! 

Articles

Check out this recent article on health behaviors to prevent cognitive decline that the Society of Behavioral Medicine featured!

Research

Sleep Duration and Sedentary Behavior as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease in Mid-Life

Introduction: Sedentary behavior and short sleep duration are independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but there is limited research on the interaction between sedentary behavior and sleep duration on CVD.
Hypothesis: Short sleep duration combined with greater sedentary behavior will be significantly associated with CVD.

Racial differences in sleep duration intersect with sex, socioeconomic status, and U.S. geographic region: The REGARDS study

Objectives Short and long sleep duration are associated with poor health outcomes and are most prevalent among racial/ethnic minorities. Few studies have investigated the intersection of other sociodemographic characteristics with race/ethnicity on sleep duration prevalence. Design Longitudinal retrospective analysis of continental U.S. cohort, the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Participants Black (n = 7,547) and white (n = 12,341) adults, 56% women, ≥45 years Measurements At baseline (2003–07), participants reported age, sex, race, education, income, marital status, U.S. region, and employment status.

Sleepwell24, A Smartphone Application To Promote PAP Therapy Adherence: Feasibility And Acceptability

We aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of SleepWell24, a multicomponent, smartphone-delivered intervention to increase positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence among newly diagnosed OSA patients. Methods SleepWell24 targets PAP adherence along with other health behaviors through education, trouble-shooting, goal-setting, and near real-time biofeedback of PAP machine use, and sleep and physical activity levels (via Fitbit integration), and other chronic disease self-management components. Patients with a first-time diagnosis of OSA (AHI≥5) and prescribed PAP therapy were enrolled from the Centers for Sleep Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Phoenix, AZ. 

Metacommunication process during a 3-day digital storytelling workshop for patients recovering from hematopoietic cell transplantation A qualitative approach

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively analyze metacommunication during the digital storytelling (DST) workshop process for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Methods: HCT survivors who had undergone transplant within the past 2 years were recruited at a cancer center in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

Brain Boosters: Evaluating a Pilot Program for Memory Complaints in Veterans

This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a pilot program designed to address subjective memory complaints among Veterans. The program, Brain Boosters, consisted of 10 once-weekly group sessions, during which psychoeducation and cognitive enhancement strategies were used to target memory concerns and related processes, specifically attentional difficulties. Given that memory complaints often are associated with psychiatric comorbidities, sessions also incorporated strategies for reducing symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress, and insomnia.

Rationale, design, and development of SleepWell24: A smartphone application to promote adherence to positive airway pressure therapy among patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background: Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a chronic disorder that affects 6-13% of the adult population. However, adherence to PAP therapy is challenging, and current approaches to improve adherence have limited efficacy and scalability. Methods/design: To promote PAP adherence, we developed SleepWell24, a multicomponent, evidence-based smartphone application that delivers objective biofeedback concerning PAP use and sleep/physical activity patterns via cloud-based PAP machine and wearable sensor data, and behavior change strategies and troubleshooting of PAP therapy interface use.

Moderate Physical Activity and Sleep Duration as Predictors of Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Hypertension: NHANES 2011-2014

Hypertension is associated with increased risk for cognitive decline. Lifestyle behaviors such as moderate physical activity (MPA) and adequate sleep duration may mitigate this decline, though limited research exists. The aim of the study was to examine the joint association of MPA and sleep duration on cognitive function by hypertension status.

Abstract P376: Associations Between Moderate To Vigorous Physical Activity And Sedentary Time On Cognitive Function In Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with increased risk for cognitive decline. Lifestyle behaviors such as moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and reduced sedentary time (ST) may mitigate this decline, but limited research exists. The aim of the study was to examine the joint association of MVPA and ST on cognitive function by CVD status.