Research

Focus: Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management

The long-term goal of this research is to reduce the risk of diabetes for Black adults, who are prediabetic, using a culturally adapted intervention. This research seeks to augment the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which is a Centers for Disease Control-endorsed program, with a novel peer support program for Black grandmothers, called Healthy Outcomes through Peer Educators (HOPE). During the year-long HOPE program, Black grandmothers serve as peers to other grandmothers, providing the needed encouragement and positive reinforcement essential for successful and sustainable behavior change. The funded pilot study of HOPE is recruiting 60 grandmothers with prediabetes to help determine the feasibility and acceptability of HOPE, if it decreases grandmothers’ chance of developing diabetes, and assess the potential effectiveness of it reducing diabetes risk factors among overweight/obese Black grandmothers. Given the role and place of grandmothers in Black families, Dr. Vivian hypothesizes this will inspire cross-generational change, helping to influence the youngest generation’s lifestyle habits and build a solid foundation for their grandchildren early on.

HOPE evolved from Peers Empowering Peers (PEP), a program Dr. Vivian launched in 2018 to leverage the power of peers in diabetes self-management. PEP was a 16-week program based on the Centers for Disease Control’s Prevent T2 curriculum, teaching participants to prevent and manage the disease through healthy meals, physical exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle factors. Peer educators helped participants stay accountable and engaged and helped apply the teachings in a culturally relevant way.

• Academic Partner: Eva Vivian (PI)
• Community Partners (3): African American Health Network of Dane County, Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (Madison), World Outreach and Bible Training Center (Milwaukee)

Funding

• UW Baldwin Foundation- Wisconsin Idea Endowment Pilot Award (2018)
• American Diabetes Association- Health Disparities Research Award (2021)

Publications

1. Vivian E, Flanagan C. Peers empowering peers-feasibility of a peer educator training program to prevent diabetes. BMC Womens Health. 2022;22(1):65. Published 2022 Mar 9. doi:10.1186/s12905-022-01645-w. PMID: 35260142.

For more information visit the Vivian Research Group homepage.

Focus: Diabetes Self-Management

The long-term goal of this research is to reduce diabetes morbidity for Black adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes using culturally adapted interventions. This research will evaluate the added value of culturally tailored content and peer support to the Healthy Living With Diabetes (HLWD) evidence-based program, using pilot and and randomized controlled trial studies. For the proposed randomized controlled trial, participants will be randomized to receive Peers EXCEL or HLWD. The central hypothesis is that the culturally enhanced program (Peers EXCEL) will improve the primary outcome of A1C and the secondary outcome of medication nonadherence compared to HLWD, with sustained outcome improvement beyond the conclusion of the 8-week program. Dr. Shiyanbola and her team seek to identify theoretically informed psychosocial/sociocultural factors that may mediate intervention effects on A1C and/or medication adherence.

• Academic Partners: Olayinka Shiyanbola (PI), Martha Mauer (Scientist), Jane Mahoney (Co-I)
• Community Partners (10): Madison (4)- Mt Zion Baptist Church, NewBridge Madison, Rebalanced Life Wellness Association, Second Baptist Church; Milwaukee (6)- Ebenezer Ministry & Family Worship Center, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, True Love Church, Gee’s Clippers Barber and Beauty Salon, Grace Fellowship Church, ADRC of Milwaukee County.
• Healthcare Partners (4): Community Outreach Health Clinic (Menomonee Falls), Advocate Aurora Health (Milwaukee), UW Health Northeast- Northport clinic (Madison), Access Community Health (Madison)

Funding

• UW Baldwin Foundation- Wisconsin Idea Endowment Pilot Award (2020)
• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- “Design Thinking” Supplement Award (2021)
• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- Dissemination and Implementation Pilot Award (2023)
• NIH-National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities-  R01 (proposed)

Publications

1. Tarfa A, Salihu E, Xiong P, et al. Participant and group facilitator perspectives on a novel culturally tailored diabetes self-management program for African Americans. Preprint. Res Sq. 2023;rs.3.rs-3136363. Published 2023 Jul 18. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3136363/v1. PMID: 37502960.
2. Tarfa A, Nordin J, Mott M, Maurer M, Shiyanbola O. A qualitative exploration of the experiences of peer leaders in an intervention to improve diabetes medication adherence in African Americans. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):144. Published 2023 Jan 20. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-15059-2. PMID: 36670394.
3. Shiyanbola OO, Maurer M, Mott M, et al. A feasibility pilot trial of a peer-support educational behavioral intervention to improve diabetes medication adherence in African Americans. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2022;8(1):240. Published 2022 Nov 14. doi:10.1186/s40814-022-01198-7. PMID: 36376960.
4. Maurer MA, Shiyanbola OO, Mott ML, Means J. Engaging Patient Advisory Boards of African American Community Members with Type 2 Diabetes in Implementing and Refining a Peer-Led Medication Adherence Intervention. Pharmacy (Basel). 2022;10(2):37. Published 2022 Mar 10. doi:10.3390/pharmacy10020037. PMID: 35314618.
5. Shiyanbola OO, Maurer M, Wen MJ. Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial of a Culturally Adapted Peer Support and Self-Management Intervention for African Americans. Pharmacy (Basel). 2022;11(1):2. Published 2022 Dec 21. doi:10.3390/pharmacy11010002. PMID: 36649012.
6. Shiyanbola OO, Maurer M, Schwerer L, et al. A Culturally Tailored Diabetes Self-Management Intervention Incorporating Race-Congruent Peer Support to Address Beliefs, Medication Adherence and Diabetes Control in African Americans: A Pilot Feasibility Study. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2022;16:2893-2912. Published 2022 Oct 25. doi:10.2147/PPA.S384974. PMID: 36317056
7. Wen MJ, Maurer M, Schwerer L, et al. Perspectives on a Novel Culturally Tailored Diabetes Self-Management Program for African Americans: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals and Organizational Leaders. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(19):12814. Published 2022 Oct 6. doi:10.3390/ijerph191912814. PMID: 36232115.
8. Rao D, Meyer J, Maurer M, Shiyanbola OO. Perceptions of psychosocial and interpersonal factors affecting self-management behaviors among African Americans with diabetes [published correction appears in Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2022 Oct 22;8:100196]. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2021;3:100057. Published 2021 Aug 5. doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2021.100057. PMID: 35480599.
9. Shiyanbola OO, Kaiser BL, Thomas GR, Tarfa A. Preliminary engagement of a patient advisory board of African American community members with type 2 diabetes in a peer-led medication adherence intervention. Res Involv Engagem. 2021;7(1):4. Published 2021 Jan 6. doi:10.1186/s40900-020-00245-y. PMID: 33407841.

For more information about this research visit the Shiyanbola Research Group homepage.

Focus: Blindness Prevention

The long term goal of this research is to greatly increase the use of diabetic eye screening technology in primary care settings, in particular among underserved patients from Black, Latinx, and rural communities. Dr. Liu’s research on teleophthalmology implementation and low-cost interventions for glaucoma seeks to reduce the burden of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

Current and past studies have contributed to teleophthalmology implementation in 6 health systems and 14 primary care clinics. Funding for this research may provide evidence to support further clinical trials of low-cost dietary supplementation with lutein/zeaxanthin to prevent glaucoma.

• Academic Partners: Yao Liu (PI), Maria Mora Pinzon (Co-PI), Loren Lock, Maureen Smith, Jane Mahoney, Barbara Blodi, Nora Jacobson, Katrina Phelps
• Community Partners (2): UW Center for Community Engagement and Health Partnerships, Grace Fellowship Church (Milwaukee)
• Healthcare Partners (10): UW Health, MetaStar, Inc., Mile Bluff Medical Center, Fort HealthCare, Mountain Family Health Centers, Porter Medical Center, Prairie Clinic, S.C., Reedsburg Area Medical Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Outreach Community Health Centers (Milwaukee)

Funding

• NIH- National Eye Institute- K23 Early Career Development Award (2016)
• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- Evidence-to-Implementation Award (2020)
• NIH- National Eye Institute- UG1 (2021)
• UW Baldwin Foundation- Wisconsin Idea Endowment Pilot Award (2021)
• Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (2022)

Selected Publications

1. [Toolkit] Liu Y, Benkert R. A Guide to Implementation for Sustained Impact in Teleophthalmology (I-SITE). University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Madison, WI; 2019.
2. Torres Diaz A, Lock LJ, Molfenter TD, Mahoney JE, Boss D, Bjelland TD, Liu Y. Implementation for Sustained Impact in Teleophthalmology (I-SITE): applying the NIATx Model for tailored implementation of diabetic retinopathy screening in primary care. Implement Sci Commun. 2021 Jul 6;2(1):74. doi: 10.1186/s43058-021-00175-0. PMID: 34229748; PMCID: PMC8258481.
3. Liu Y, Carlson JN, Torres Diaz A, Lock LJ, Zupan NJ, Molfenter TD, Mahoney JE, Palta M, Boss D, Bjelland TD, Smith MA. Sustaining Gains in Diabetic Eye Screening: Outcomes from a Stakeholder-Based Implementation Program for Teleophthalmology in Primary Care. Telemed J E Health. 2020 Nov 19. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0270. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33216697.
4. [Peer-Reviewed Abstract] Lock LJ, Channa R, Brennan MB, Cao Y, Fowlkes C, Liu Y. Analysis of Health System Effect on Diabetic Eye Screening Variability in Rural Versus Urban Underserved Primary Care Clinics. Poster presentation at 2022 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 1, 2022.
5. [Peer-Reviewed Abstract] Fowlkes C, Lock LJ, Hoang J, Shiyanbola OO, Jacobson N, Liu Y. Factors influencing eye screening adherence among urban Black patients with diabetes: a qualitative study. Poster presentation at 2022 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 1, 2022.
6. [Peer-Reviewed Abstract] Torres Diaz A, Lock LJ, Molfenter TD, Mahoney JE, Boss D, Bjelland TD, Liu Y. Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in Primary Care: Implementation for Sustained Impact in Teleophthalmology (I-SITE). Poster presentation at 2021 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 3, 2021.

For more information visit the UW Teleophthalmology Program homepage.

Focus: Falls Prevention, Physical Functioning

Tai Chi Prime© is an evidence-based program to promote strength and balance to help older adults’ lower their risk of falling. It is offered through Tai Chi Health, Inc. and was disseminated from research to practice in 2019 by developer Tricia Yu, in partnership with the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging and Drs. Chewning and Hallisy. Despite its benefits, White older females with higher education have been most likely to participate in Tai Chi, while being male, a minority, overweight or obese, and having low education and poor health decreased the likelihood of Tai Chi participation. This gap in reaching the latter demographics elicits the need for more research to ensure Tai Chi Prime© is accessible and culturally appropriate for delivery to diverse groups.

Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s most racially and ethnically diverse city. Two of its largest ethnic groups, Black or African American (38.7%) and Hispanic or Latinx (19%), represent an underserved Wisconsin population at risk for falls. Current funding supports the enhancement of the program package to include cultural considerations that give facilitator-leaders the option to customize the delivery, while maintain all the key elements and core practices of Tai Chi. CORE El Centro is translating Tai Chi Prime© program materials for Spanish-speakers.

Academic Partners: Betty Chewning (MPI), Kristi Hallisy (MPI), Jane Mahoney, Ejura Salihu

Community Partners (9): Tai Chi Health, Inc., Wisconsin Institute for Health Aging, UniteWI, Inc. (Milwaukee), CORE El Centro (Milwaukee), Walnut Way Corps (Milwaukee), Milwaukee Dept. on Aging, La Crosse County Aging Unit, SafeCommunities (Madison), Goodman Center (Madison)

Funding

• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- Dissemination and Implementation Pilot Award (2015)
• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- Evidence-to-Implementation Award (2018)
• UW Baldwin Foundation- Wisconsin Idea Endowment Pilot Award (2022)
• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- “Dissemination Pipeline” Supplement Award (2023)

Publications

1. Chewning B, Hallisy KM, Mahoney JE, Wilson DA, Sangasubana N, Gangnon R. Disseminating Tai Chi in the Community: Promoting Home Practice and Improving Balance. Gerontologist. 2020 May 15;60(4):765-775. doi:10.1093/geront/gnz006. PMID: 30811543
2. Hallisy KM. Clinical Application of Tai Chi for Management of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Theoretical Discussion. Orthopedic Physical Therapy Practice. 2016 Jan:28(1):76-81.
3. Hallisy KM. Tai Chi Beyond Balance and Fall Prevention: Health Benefits and Its Potential Role in Combatting Social Isolation in the Aging Population. Curr Geri Rep. 2018;7(1):37-48. doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0233-5

For more information visit the Tai Chi Health, Inc. homepage.

Focus: Tobacco Cessation and Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

The long term goal of this research is to reduce tobacco use and its negative impacts on middle and older adults. Through this endeavor Dr. Johnson also hopes to better understand the role of smoking on brain health, particularly Alzhemier’s Disease and Related Dementias.

Current funding supports the development of two motivational interventions for smoking cessation in older adults consisting of: (1) a novel patient-informed motivational message promoting smoking cessation, and (2) clear access routes to evidence-based smoking cessation treatments. Through close partnership with Ms. Lathen, the developed messaging and motivational tools will be shaped by community input, then undergo feasibility and effectiveness testing to ensure it is culturally relevant to Black communities.

• Academic Partner: Adrienne Johnson (PI)
• Community Partners: Lorraine Lathen with the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network and Jump At the Sun, Inc., UW Center for Community Engagement and Health Partnerships (Milwaukee)

Funding

• NIH-National Institute on Aging- K23 Early Career Development Award (2021)
• UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center- Pilot Award (2023)

Publications

1. Johnson AL, Schlam TR, Baker TB, Piper ME. Understanding what changes adults in a smoking cessation study believe they need to make to quit smoking: A qualitative analysis of pre- and post-quit perceptions. Psychol Addict Behav. 2022;36(8):982-989. doi:10.1037/adb0000856. PMID: 35737550

For more information visit the study homepage.

Focus: Dementia Care and Support

The long term goal of this research is to positively impact and improve the health and quality of life of the growing number of persons living with dementia, particularly those who experience social isolation. Using a novel therapeutic (adaptive) horseback riding intervention, persons living with dementia have shown to greatly benefit in terms of showing fewer behavioral and psychological symptoms, while expressing a marked increase in well-being. These effects are presumably due to human-animal interaction and bonding, increased physical activity, and the opportunities to build relationships and stimulate memories for persons with dementia and their care partners.

A pilot study is underway, using a randomized control design to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the community-based RIM program with 12 dyads of persons with dementia and their care partners, comparing health and quality of life outcomes for RIM versus wait-list control pairs. If outcomes prove positive, this study will serve as a precursor to a large randomized control trial, which will determine its merit as an evidence-based public health program.

• Academic Partners: Beth Fields (PI), Kristin Pickett, Arlene Schmid (Colorado State University), Scott Hetzel
• Community Partners (4): Hearts & Horses (Colorado), Three Gaits, Inc., BEAMING, Inc., Stoughton Senior Center, Aging and Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County

Funding

• UW Baldwin Foundation- Wisconsin Idea Endowment Development Award (2021)
• UW Wisconsin Partnership Program- Community Impact Award (2023)

Publications

1. Fields B, Peters C, Merritt T, Myers S. Advancing the Science and Practice of Equine-assisted Services through Community-Academic Partnerships. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin. 2021; 9(1):30-44.

For more information visit the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab homepage.

Focus: Dementia Care and Support

The long term goal of this research is to

• Academic Partner: Nicole Werner (PI)
• Community Partners:

Funding

• NIH-National Institute

Publications

1. Boutilier JJ, Loganathar P, Linden A, et al. Correction: A Web-Based Platform (CareVirtue) to Support Caregivers of People Living With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. JMIR Aging. 2022;5(3):e41912. Published 2022 Sep 14. doi:10.2196/41912. [PMID: 36103711]
2. Jolliff A, Fields B, Boutilier J, Dudek A, Elliott C, Zuraw M, Werner NE. Care Partner Confidence and Experiences in Legal Planning for People Living with Dementia: A Mixed Methods Study. Gerontologist. 2023 Nov 6:gnad153. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnad153. Epub ahead of print. [PMID: 37941389].
3. Jolliff A, Dudek A, Zuraw M, Parks R, Linden A, Elliott C, Werner NE. Co-Design of a Financial and Legal Planning Tool for Care Partners of People Living With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Innov Aging. 2023 Jun 3;7(5):igad046. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igad046. [PMID: 37360216]; PMCID: PMC10287190.

For more information visit

Focus: Dementia Care and Support

The long term goal of this research is to

• Academic Partner: Nicole Werner (PI)
• Community Partners:

Funding

• NIH-National Institute

Publications

For more information visit 

Focus: Medication Management

The long term goal of this research is to help older adults safely talk about and manage their medications and remain independent in their communities, by disseminating the Med Wise Rx as a national evidence-based program. Med Wise Rx is the first skills-based educational program designed to improve older adults’ actual communication with pharmacists and other providers leading to safer medication management.

In partnership with statewide ADRCs, this research will evaluate a virtual delivery format for Med Wise Rx and its impact on increasing the number of older adults seeking to receive comprehensive medication reviews from a pharmacist. As community partners in research, ADRCs provide feedback from their leaders and participants, which helps to enhance the dissemination of Med Wise Rx while retaining its program fidelity. Drs. Martin and Chewning aim to refine Med Wise Rx for sustainability and dissemination and strengthen its distribution network.

• Academic Partners: Beth Martin (Co-PI), Betty Chewning (Co-PI), Amanda Margolis (Co-I), Roger Brown (Co-I)
• Community Partners (10): Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging; Portage County ADRC; Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake, and Adams Counties ADRC; Calumet, Outagamie, Waupaca Counties ADRC; Oakwood Village—Prairie Ridge and University Woods; Kenosha County ADRC; Layfette County ADRC; Eau Claire County ADRC; Greendale Village Health Department

Funding

• Portage County (2011)
• UW Baldwin Foundation- Wisconsin Idea Endowment Pilot Award (2012)
• UW School of Pharmacy (2011, 2017)
• NIH/CTSA sponsored UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research- Dissemination and Implementation Pilot Award (2022)

Publications

1. Lukazewski A, Mikula B, Servi A, Martin BA. Evaluation of a Web Based Tool in Screening for Medication Related Problems in Community Dwelling Older Adults. Consult Pharm. 2012 Feb; 27(2): 106-13. [PMID: 22330951]
2. Radovich, KA, Braden, LJ, Margolis, AR, Chewning, BA, Martin, BA. Assessing the Change in Patient Understanding Regarding Pharmacist Roles as Part of the Med Wise Program. Journal of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin. Nov-Dec 2014; 49-51. “Not funded by NIH. PMCID policy does not apply.”
3. Martin BA, Chewning BA, Margolis AR, Wilson DA, Renken J. Med Wise: A theory-based program to improve older adults’ communication with pharmacists about their medicines. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2016 Jul-Aug;12(4): 569-77. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2015.09.010. Epub 2015 Oct 23. [PMID: 26508269]

Focus: Assistive Technology, Falls Prevention, Physical Functioning

The long term goal of this research is to develop a wearable device, that is affordable and accessible, that measures walking gait speed. Using a user-center design approach to development, UW engineers will work with community and clinical stakeholders to go through lab and field test a working prototype a tri-axial force sensor (wearable gait speed device). The clinical relevance of this work is it may contribute to understanding the role that shear forces play in gait issues and falls in the context of aging populations.

• Academic Partners: Hongrui Jiang (PI), Jayer Fernandes (Co-PI), Jiangang Chen, Barbara King, Kristin Pickett, Jane Mahoney
• Community Partners: TBD
• Healthcare Partner: MetaStar, Inc.

Funding

Focus:

• Academic Partners: David Gustafson Sr. (MPI), Marie-Louise Mares (MPI), Jane Mahoney (Co-I)
• Community Partners:

Funding

• NIH-National
• AHRQ

Publications