Study Participants Needed

Sunday, 4 May 2014 10:42

A research team at Western's Lawson Health Research Institute are looking for adults 55 years and older from Woodstock to take part in a health study involving exercise and cognition.

WOODSTOCK -- Do you feel that your memory or thinking skills have gotten worse recently?

A research team at The University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute are looking for adults 55 years and older from Woodstock to take part in a health study involving exercise and cognition.

Graduate student John Bocti with the Health and Rehab Sciences Department at UWO is in Woodstock looking for subjects to take part in a research project targeting people who answer "YES" to that question.

Bocti says people over 55, with cognitive complaints such as not being able to remember things as easily as you did five years ago are prime candidates to take part in the study.

"The total study will last six months, and will be Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays over at Maranatha Church in Woodstock, and we're actually looking for times between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM, so if people can register and come out for those times, that would work."

Classes will run for 60 minutes, three times per week, for the six month time frame and would be free for those who qualify for the study.

Bocti says the study aims to find out how either a standard exercise program, (or a
standard exercise program combined with mind and motor routines) impacts memory, thinking skills, and other health outcomes in older adults.

"Essentially what we'll be doing in this study is adding a thinking component to a standard exercise class that you can find at your local gym."

He adds workouts will focus on strength, flexibility and cardiovascular exercises, saying the intervention researchers are proposing is adding a thinking component, which depending on results, could see mental components someday added to exercise programs and classes.

Bocti says participants may want to consult a health professional before starting any exercise.

The study is being headed up by Dr. Robert Patrella, the Beryl and Richard Ivey Research Chair in Aging, Rehabilitation, and Geriatric Care at the University of Western Ontario, as well as, Program Leader at the Lawson Health Research Institute.

Dr. Patrella is also Medical Director of the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging.

If you are interested in hearing more about the study, and wish to sign up if you think you qualify, contact the research office at Parkwood Hospital in London by calling (519) 685-4292, ext. 42315 or email: exercise.brain.study@gmail.com