OMAHA – Creighton University researchers recently received $330,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Creighton University students conduct research on rural Nebraska.
“If you think about a farmer, they do not have a sidewalk maybe to go walking on if they were to get some extra steps in during the day.”
Rashelle Hoffman, a Creighton professor, wants to increase rural veterans’ activity levels by setting goals and conducting motivational interviews.
“We want to empower folks, even students, that they could have the training to help deliver this program,” according to Hoffman.
This is how it works.
For 12 weeks, the veteran and their partner wore Fitbits to track data such as their steps.
Data from a pilot study show that their program resulted in more walking.
“Our light blue bars represent what their step count was each week, so showing that we had a clear improvement,” Hoffman told me.
They are trying to increase physical activity because, according to her, studies show that it helps with cognitive impairment.
“We are focused on physical activity because it is a very low-cost programming,” he explained.
This device, another activity tracker worn on the thigh, is also worn at the beginning and end of the experiment.
The more walking, the better.
“We made a change on their daily patterns.”
The study begins in October. Student researchers such as sophomore Katherine Reinhard can assist with the weekly check-ins.
“I may help with note taking in interviews,” she informed me.
After reviewing the pilot study transcripts, she discovered that this was the participants’ favorite part.
“People really enjoyed the weekly interventions as well because it helped set their own goals versus being told what goals to set,” Reinhard told me.
The goal is to develop a plan that works for each couple, while also achieving a level of flexibility that is transferable.
“If we show that this program works, then we can actually open it up to veterans across the county quite easily with how the VA system is set up,” Hoffman told the audience.
This study is in collaboration with researchers from Iowa City’s VA and the University of Kansas.
Forty veteran and care partner pairs will be enrolled.