As we age, brain health becomes an especially important aspect of our wellness and recovery from critical illness after hospitalization, and for our overall health and quality of life. That’s why our lab investigates how to maximize function and accelerate the healing process, with a particular focus on brain health.
- More than 60% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are adults ages 60 and older.
- Up to 71% of ICU survivors experience delirium, which may result in cognitive symptoms for as long as 1 year after hospital discharge.
- Almost 80% of ICU patients experience disturbances in circadian rhythm, which may affect cognitive function.
- Over 40% of ICU survivors still experience poor sleep at 1 year after hospital discharge.
- Close to 18% of ICU survivors are newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (ADRD) within 3 years after hospitalization for critical illness.
Our research team is dedicated to improving outcomes for older adults recovering from critical illness by developing and testing interventions to augment standard clinical care. Our mission is to advance geriatric care through rigorous research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered approaches.
SLEEP-COG Study
Older adults who survive hospitalization in an ICU may experience distressing symptoms, such as cognitive impairment, which may prevent them from remaining independent after discharge. Disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythm are prevalent among ICU patients and may contribute to delirium, which could result in subsequent cognitive decline. The SLEEP-COG Study will determine preliminary individual and combined effects of behavioral interventions that target sleep, circadian rhythm, and cognitive function, and will guide future clinical trials to help older adults manage these symptoms throughout recovery from critical illness.
OPTIMIZE Study
Almost 80% of ICU patients experience disturbances in circadian rhythm, which may affect cognitive function. Understanding the optimal, chronotherapeutic timing of cognitive interventions is crucial to promote circadian realignment and cognitive function, and may improve intervention feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy. The OPTIMIZE Study will examine preliminary effects of a cognitive training intervention that targets the biological circadian rhythm.