Mathiason, Michelle A.

Background: People living with chronic heart conditions often experience poor quality of life (QoL) and reduced well-being; however, the intervention preferences to promote well-being among these individuals are not well known. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe QoL and preferences for wellbeing interventions in people with chronic heart conditions and to describe differences by heart condition diagnosis. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited participants from a national online support group for people with heart conditions from April 29 to June 3, 2025. We measured QoL (WHO-QOL 28-item) and priorities for interventions via an investigator-developed questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted by heart condition. Results: In our preliminary findings among 107 participants [mean age=65.7 years (SD=12.5)], female (53%), White (82%), 67% ≥ 2 heart conditions] most reported being diagnosed with arrhythmias (36%), congenital heart disease (35%), and heart failure (34%), and the fewest reported cardiomyopathy (22%). Participants reported their physical health QoL as the lowest (M = 56.8±12.6), followed by psychological health (M = 62.5±13.1), and social relationships (M = 65.7±19.0). Most participants preferred non-pharmacological wellness interventions (79%) over pharmacological (23%). The highest interest in interventions was for nutrition/weight (80%), exercise (78%), relaxation (78%), mind-body (yoga or tai-chi) (72%), and meditation/mindfulness (69%). Most preferred delivery in-person (64%) or self-guided app/Website (60%). WHO-QOL ratings of Very Satisfied/Satisfied for Health Satisfaction were compared by heart condition (with and without) and were lower for two conditions: cardiomyopathy, (35% vs 63% p=0.015) and arrhythmias (44% vs 65%, p = 0.033). Participants with arrhythmias prioritized social support interventions (74% vs 48%, p = 0.010), while those with cardiomyopathy preferred interventions for depression (70% vs 43%, p = 0.025) (Table 1). Conclusion: We found that people were highly interested in behavioral interventions to promote their well-being. However, preferences for wellness interventions differed by diagnosis. Findings can guide interventions tailored based on condition.

AbstractObjectivesIn this study we aimed to describe and compare groups formed by a rules‐based algorithm to prospectively identify clients at risk of poor outcomes in order to guide tailored public health nursing (PHN) intervention approaches.DesignData‐driven methods using standardized Omaha System PHN documentation.SampleClients ages 13–40 who received PHN home visiting services for both the Caretaking/parenting and Mental health problems (N = 4109).MeasurementWe applied a theory‐based algorithm consisting of six rules using existing Omaha System data. We examined the groups formed by the algorithm using standard descriptive, inferential statistics, and Latent Class Analysis.ResultsClients (N = 4109) were 25.1 (SD = 5.9) years old and had an average of 7.3 (SD = 3.2) problems, 250 (SD = 319) total interventions, and 32 (SD = 44) Mental health interventions. Overall outcomes improved after PHN interventions (p < .001 for all) and having more Mental health signs/symptoms was negatively associated with outcome scores (p < .001 for all).ConclusionsThis algorithm may be helpful in identifying high‐risk clients during a baseline assessment who may benefit from more intensive mental health interventions. Findings show there is value using the Omaha System for PHN documentation and algorithm clinical decision support development. Future research should focus on algorithm implementation in PHN clinical practice.

AbstractBackgroundIn animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), aerobic exercise favorably modified the accumulation, degradation, and removal of Aβ and tau. However, human mechanistic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are limited with mixed findings on hippocampal volume and biofluid Aβ and tau. Hence, an objective of the FIT‐AD Trial was to examine the effects of 6‐month aerobic exercise on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers in community‐dwelling older adults with AD dementia.MethodThe FIT‐AD Trial was a pilot RCT that first qualified participants for the main exercise study eligibility and then for MRI. Participants were randomized to moderate intensity cycling or low intensity stretching for 20‐50 minutes, 3 times a week for six months on a 2:1 ratio with three age strata (66‐75, 76‐85, and 85+ years of age) and followed up for another six months. MRI biomarkers included hippocampal volume, temporal meta‐regions of interest cortical thickness, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, and network failure quotient (NFQ) measured at baseline, six months, and 12 months.ResultSixty participants met MRI eligibility, but one was excluded when this participant’s baseline MRI failed quality control. Among the 59 remaining participants, 38 were randomized to cycling and 21 to stretching. The sample characteristics (n=59) were 77.3±6.3 years old with 15.6±2.9 years of education and 53% men. Both groups experienced significant declines in hippocampal volume (2.64% in cycling vs. 2.89% in stretching) and cortical thickness (0.94% vs. 1.54%) over six months and over 12 months (hippocampal volume: 4.47% vs. 3.84%; cortical thickness: 2.27% vs. 1.79%). These declines didn’t differ between groups. WMH volume increased significantly, but the cycling group increased >50% less than stretching (10.9% vs. 24.5% over six months [f=4.47, p=.04]; 12.1% vs. 27.6% over 12 months [f=5.88, p=.02]). NFQ didn’t change significantly over time nor differed between group.ConclusionAerobic exercise may reduce hippocampal volume and cortical thickness declines during the intervention period; however, its effects are likely to be small and dose‐dependent and reverse after the intervention stops. Aerobic exercise is effective on reducing WMH progression but has no effect on NFQ.