A SELECT SAMPLE OF ACTIVE AND RECENTLY APPROVED STUDIES
(These studies have been approved by the CAB at the Healthier Black Elders Center in Detroit)
If you would like more information on any of these studies, feel free to contact Vanessa Rorai at Vrorai@wayne.edu or (313) 664-2604.
Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease – This study seeks to determine how the ability to learn and remember new associations between concepts is related to risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The study involves a 10-minute online survey followed by a 1 to 1.5 hour Zoom meeting where you will complete tests of memory and other thinking skills. Participants must be English-speaking, age 65-89, and have access to a computer with a keyboard. Anyone with a direct family history of Alzheimer’s disease is encouraged to participate.
Supporting Caregivers of People with Dementia – Family caregivers are needed for a study that can be completed at home, online or in person at Wayne State University. Participants will be asked to participate in 3 to 4 focus groups or interviews. Each focus group or interview will last approximately 1-2 hours for a total time commitment of 4-8 hours.
Age and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk– Related Performance on Coordination, Magnitude, and Temporal Relational Framing Tasks – This project examines how people learn new relationships between concepts not previously taught. Participants complete a survey online and a 1-hour Zoom meeting with a researcher to complete different cognitive tasks. Must be aged 65-89 and have access to a computer.
ELECTRA Study – This research seeks to improve the way we diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease in Black and African American adults by using electroencephalogram (EEG) and computerized assessment. Must be 65+ years old (among other criteria). Those who complete the in-person visits will be compensated.
The WISDOM Study – This study is working to improve breast cancer detection and prevention for all women. Participants have the option to learn their genetic risk of getting breast cancer, receive recommendations for when and how often to get screened, and learn strategies to reduce their breast cancer risk. Participation takes less than one hour a year and can be done almost entirely online. Looking for women aged 40 to 74 who have never had breast cancer.
The Heart of Detroit Study – This project aims to investigate the connections between daily social environments, life experiences, and cardiovascular health among African American adults living in the Detroit area. You might be eligible if you are between 55-75 years old and reside in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties.
Measuring Dementia Caregiving Styles – This study aims to develop a questionnaire that can quickly understand how caregivers are approaching dementia-related care. Looking for unpaid caregivers currently providing some form of physical assistance, emotional support, or financial assistance for a family member or friend who has a doctor’s diagnosis of an age related dementia. Participation involves a 75-minute survey with the option to complete a 20-minute follow-up survey.
Enhancing Digital CBT-I to improve Adherence and Reduce Disparities – This project seeks to understand how different people interact with internet-based treatment for insomnia. This study lasts 8 weeks and requires participants to go through 20-minute weekly sessions of digital therapy for insomnia. Looking for those aged 18+ who have difficulty sleeping or insomnia.
Understanding Bias and Empathy in Healthcare Experiences among Black Americans – Recruiting individuals for a virtual interview about their healthcare experiences and the potential for technology to support more empathetic health interactions. Participants will be asked to participate in a 90-minute interview and compensated $50 in a gift card.
Credibility and Voice Assistants – This study asks questions about how voice assistants like Siri and Alexa can give better responses when older adults are searching for information. In a 30-minute virtual interview, participants will listen to recordings and give feedback on how credible or trustworthy the information sounds. Must be over the age of 65 and live in the United States.
SWELCare Study – Seeking volunteers who are Black or White living with and helping a family member or friend who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia in Michigan. Participation for the family member/ friend includes a phone interview (1.5 to 2 hours), a training session by phone or Zoom (1.5 to 2 hours) and completing daily life assessments for 5 days. Participation for the person living with dementia includes completing a memory screener (10-12 minutes), a training session by phone or Zoom (20 minutes) and wearing a heart monitor on the chest for 5 days.
The SuperAging Research Initiative – What contributes to excellent memory in older age? We need your help to find out! You may be eligible if you are aged 80 or over, cognitively healthy, actively engaged in life, and fluent in English. The study involves visiting our Center every 2 years, thinking and memory tests, surveys, blood collection, and an MRI brain scan (if eligible).
Michigan Men’s Diabetes Project 2 – Looking for older African American men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This study aims to adapt and refine a diabetes self-management support intervention and will then conduct a randomized control trial of the adapted intervention. This study will utilize data from in-depth interviews and anthropometric, clinical, and survey measures.
The Detroit VIP Study – In this study, we are interviewing Black older adults (at least 55 years old) in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County who currently do volunteer work or want to do volunteer work in the near future. This project will include a 5-minute questionnaire and a one-hour interview. Study completed via zoom or telephone. Participants will be compensated.
A SELECT SAMPLE OF PREVIOUS STUDIES: NO LONGER ACTIVE
The Impact of Sociocultural Factors on Relationship Quality for African American Couples
African-Americans have higher never-married and divorce rates, greater complaints of negative partner behavior, and lower relationship quality. This study’s aims were to examine the impact of specific socio-cultural factors, namely internalized racism, television media consumption, and neighborhood factors on relationship quality on African-American couples.
Researcher: Dr. Kiara Wesley, Rutgers University, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
Promoting Physical Activity for Chronic Pain Management Among Older Adults in Detroit
This study collected primary data regarding wearable monitor use by older adults in Detroit to inform the subsequent design of a community-based pain self-management intervention. Investigators tested the feasibility and validity of alternative strategies for reporting daily step count data and measured changes in self-reporting functioning.
Researcher: Dr. Mary Janevic, University of Michigan
Unleashing the Potential of Home Care Workers in Improving Mental Health of Older African Americans
This study’s aims were to identify current depression practices, knowledge and attitudes, and willingness to deliver depression intervention among home care workers serving older African Americans, and to assess the current and desired role of home care workers in addressing client’s emotional needs from the perspectives of older African Americans receiving home care.
Researcher: Dr. Xiaoling Xiang, University of Michigan