Lifestyle Interventions for Chronic Disease

Overseen By Christopher L Pankey, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Disqualifiers: No chronic disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

95 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help people with chronic diseases improve their lifestyle through exercise and healthy habits. It focuses on those living in rural West Virginia who might lack easy access to wellness resources. Participants will learn about local opportunities for physical activity and receive training on exercise techniques to boost comfort and confidence. It is ideal for individuals with two or more diagnosed conditions, such as obesity, type II diabetes, or anxiety, who have a doctor’s referral. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance well-being through personalized lifestyle changes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on lifestyle changes like exercise and healthy body composition.

What prior data suggests that this lifestyle medicine program is safe?

Studies have shown that lifestyle medicine, which involves increasing exercise and improving diet, is safe for most people. Research indicates that these changes can effectively prevent and treat chronic diseases without the side effects often seen with medications. For example, regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. These approaches are generally easy to maintain, allowing individuals to adhere to them and feel positive about doing so. Overall, lifestyle medicine has a strong safety record, making it a promising option for those seeking to improve their health naturally. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about lifestyle medicine for managing chronic diseases because it offers a holistic approach that goes beyond the standard medications and surgeries typically used for these conditions. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus solely on addressing symptoms, lifestyle medicine emphasizes dietary changes, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and other healthy habits to tackle the root causes of chronic diseases. This approach has the potential to not only improve health outcomes but also empower individuals to take control of their health in a sustainable, long-term way.

What evidence suggests that lifestyle medicine is effective for chronic disease?

Research shows that lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, can help prevent and manage long-term illnesses. Studies have found that these changes lower the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Living a healthy lifestyle might even be more effective than some medications and avoids their side effects. One study found that focusing on lifestyle improvements can slow or reverse the progression of chronic diseases. Additionally, lifestyle medicine, which participants in this trial will receive, has been linked to reduced healthcare costs by improving overall health. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christopher L Pankey, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for rural patients with at least two diagnosed chronic diseases (like obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes) where exercise therapy can help. They need a doctor's referral and must be willing to participate in lifestyle changes.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with at least two conditions that can improve with exercise.

Physician referral required

Exclusion Criteria

Lack of physician referral

I do not have any long-term illnesses.

I am willing to participate in the trial.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 month

1 visit (in-person)

Intake Meeting

Intake meeting to collect patient information, understand goals, and develop personalized exercise plans

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants receive access to wellness facilities and personalized exercise therapy for 3 months

3 months

Regular visits for exercise sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for adherence and effectiveness of the lifestyle intervention

4 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lifestyle Medicine

Trial Overview The study tests a program that educates these patients on the benefits of physical activity and healthy body composition. It includes advice on local fitness opportunities and training to use exercise equipment comfortably.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

participants that have received a referral, and opt-in for the adjunctive treatment plan

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

6

Recruited

520+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors contribute to approximately 63% of all deaths globally, highlighting the urgent need for lifestyle medicine to address chronic diseases.

Adhering to 'low-risk lifestyle' behaviors and ideal cardiovascular health metrics has been shown to improve mortality rates, yet the prevalence of healthy living in the population remains low, indicating significant challenges in implementing lifestyle medicine programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lifestyle medicine: the future of chronic disease management. Kushner, RF., Sorensen, KW.[2013]

A pilot plant-based lifestyle medicine program in a safety-net healthcare system led to significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes, including a 7.2% increase in nutrition knowledge and a 12.2% increase in participants reporting good or very good sleep quality after 6 months.

Participants also experienced a reduction in barriers to adopting a plant-based diet and increased physical activity, highlighting the effectiveness of lifestyle medicine interventions in promoting healthier behaviors among low-income populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient-Reported Outcomes from a Pilot Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program in a Safety-Net Setting. Massar, RE., McMacken, M., Kwok, L., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542454823000577

Lifestyle medicine The Burden of Chronic Disease According to the World Health Organization, 63% of worldwide deaths in 2008 were caused by major preventable diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11010581/

Key lifestyles and health outcomes across 16 prevalent ... Key lifestyles and health outcomes across 16 prevalent chronic diseases: A network analysis of an international observational study

3. fmch.bmj.com fmch.bmj.com/content/13/3/e003324

Evidence-based implementation of lifestyle medicine in ... Lifestyle medicine focuses on the application of lifestyle interventions to prevent progression, treat and potentially reverse chronic diseases.

4. lifestylemedicine.org lifestylemedicine.org/lifestyle-medicine-supports-cost-savings/

Use of lifestyle medicine interventions show economic ... Lifestyle medicine interventions are driving savings for employers by improving employee health and reducing chronic disease care costs.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10176046/

Lifestyle medicine as a modality for prevention and ... Evidence shows that adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the incidence and progression of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2857

Patient-Reported Outcomes from a Pilot Plant-Based ... Lifestyle behaviors such as diet, physical activity, sleep, substance use and social relationships are key modifiable risk factors in the development of chronic ...