{"id":43335,"date":"2021-12-06T13:22:27","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T20:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=43335"},"modified":"2023-06-23T09:19:58","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T15:19:58","slug":"participants-needed-for-metabolic-syndrome-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/participants-needed-for-metabolic-syndrome-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Eligible participants needed for clinical trial aimed at learning more about metabolic syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center is offering a program unique in its focus on healthy lifestyles and, for its part, on heathy eating too. It\u2019s the Enhanced Lifestyles for Metabolic Syndrome (ELM) trial and it is seeking eligible participants for its final cohort who will begin in January 2022.<\/p>\n

Folks with metabolic syndrome are at greater risk of developing heart failure, diabetes, most types of cancer and cardiovascular disease, all major causes of disability and death in this country and abroad. Further, metabolic syndrome is a huge risk factor for hospitalization and death from COVID. The goals of the ELM program are to lower that risk by helping its members to eat healthy, increase activity, manage stress and increase mindfulness.<\/p>\n

\"information<\/p>\n

Currently, 1 in 3 people in the United States have metabolic syndrome. Ten years ago, that number was only 1 in 4<\/a>; you can see that it has increased significantly. Just under 30% of the general U.S. population knows what metabolic syndrome is, but the frightening statistic is that of 5,389 people with metabolic syndrome only 13% have heard of it ever; only 9% understand what it is.<\/p>\n

Qualifying for the metabolic syndrome trial<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Eligible participants in ELM must be 18 years of age or older and meet three of the following conditions for metabolic syndrome:<\/p>\n

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  • Large waist size or waist circumference.<\/li>\n
  • High blood pressure or taking blood pressure medication for high blood pressure.<\/li>\n
  • High blood sugar or prediabetes (but not have diabetes).<\/li>\n
  • High triglycerides or taking medications for high triglycerides.<\/li>\n
  • Low HDL (\u201cgood cholesterol\u201d) or taking medications for low HDL.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    So, here is the fine print: If you think ELM might help you start off a new year with a healthier outlook and you qualify for ELM, you\u2019ll be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Here are those two groups\u2019 particulars:<\/p>\n

    Group-based Lifestyle Program: requires participants to attend weekly group classes at Anschutz Health Center in Aurora, CO, on Tuesdays (from 4:30 to 6 p.m. MT) for the first three months of the program; biweekly classes for the next three months; and then monthly classes for 18 months. (ELM is a two-year trial.)<\/p>\n

    Self-directed Lifestyle Program: requires participants to read education tip sheets and follow the instructions on their own.<\/p>\n

    Four study visits will collect data over the two-year term of ELM, at no cost to the participant; all participants also receive the Fitbit-brand activity tracker; up to $180 compensation; and blood work and lab results, at no cost to the participant.<\/p>\n

    ELM shares a lifestyle philosophy that healthy living is about enjoying life, especially cooking and eating well under the mantra of mindfulness.<\/p>\n

    If ELM sounds like something that might help you in the New Year and beyond, contact the study team at (303) 724-9198 or wellness.research@ucdenver.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    ELM is at five sites around the country, with a total of 600 active participants; of these, 120 will be from the Denver area. In Colorado, Dr. Kevin Masters, a clinical health psychologist, runs ELM. Here is a video interview with Dr. Masters about ELM done with television\u2019s 9Health.<\/p>\n