Completed Projects
This study will test a new treatment program to help improve health and well-being among emerging adults ages 18-25. Eligible participants will be enrolled into a 4-month study and will receive:
- A total of 12 virtual group treatment sessions over a 4-month period
- Information and evidence-based strategies for making changes to eating patterns, sleep and physical activity
- Guidance and training in evidence-based strategies to enhance stress management and emotional well-being
- Feedback on physical measurements throughout the study
Compensation is provided to participants for their time spent completing data collection visits. This research is being conducted in the Department of Health Behavior and Policy within the School of Medicine and is funded by the Massey Cancer Center. All sessions will be conducted at the One Capitol Square Building.
Recruitment for this study is currently closed. Pease contact us (optforhealth@vcuhealth.org | 804-827-2250) if you have any questions.
The REACH Trial is a no-fee research study funded by NIH and brought to you by researchers in the VCU School of Medicine. This study tested three unique weight loss programs for 18-25 year-olds in order to understand how we can best help Richmond Emerging Adults Choose Health! We have finished data collection for this project and hope to be able to present results soon!
The Anxiety, Mood, and Health study aimed to learn more about the relationship between anxiety, health, and mood among young adults ages 18-35. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups:
- Group 1: Participants were asked to complete 6 20-minute sessions over 2 weeks where they walked briskly on a treadmill. They were also asked to complete 4 rounds of brief questionnaires/interviews over a 2-month period.
- Group 2: Participants were asked to complete 4 rounds of brief questionnaires/interviews over a 2-month period.
This complementary substudy of the Anxiety, Mood, and Health Study aimed to learn more about the relationship between anxiety, health, and mood among young adults ages 18-35 by assessing heart rate variability (HRV). HRV was assessed with a standard electrocardiogram and provides an indication of the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Participants were asked to complete 6 20-minute sessions over 2 weeks which will included walking briskly on a treadmill.
Live Well RVA was a 6-month research study testing a new weight loss program designed specifically for young adults between 18 and 25 years of age. The 12-week treatment program was designed to meet the unique needs of this age group and offered individual treatment with personalized goals and coaching specific to participants’ needs. Treatment involved a combination of individual in-person meetings and email and online contact.
SPARK RVA is a 6-month research study designed to determine the best approach to promote weight loss and healthy behaviors in 18-25 year olds. All groups receive gold standard behavioral weight loss information based on decades of research – the key difference is the format of the intervention, or how the program is delivered. This pilot study is based on the formative work we conducted in Project SPEAK and findings will help us to further tailor existing programs to meet the needs of this age group.
Project SPEAK was a two phase study consisting of an online survey and focus groups, both with 18-25 year olds. This is a high-risk time for weight gain and obesity, but very little is known about how best to adapt evidence-based programs for this unique developmental period. These studies provided important information about what individuals in this age group wanted in a healthy lifestyle program and how to deliver treatments in a way that works with their hectic lifestyles. Findings from Project SPEAK helped to inform the design of several of our ongoing treatment studies with this population.