Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Healthy Aging Study (ALOHA)

Marymount University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Obesity &Amp; Overweight; Hypertension; Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Metabolic Syndrome (MetS); Frailty Syndrome; Healthy Aging; Cardio Vascular Disease; Alzheimer Disease (AD); Disability Physical

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07180147

MUIRB#1238

Potomac Health Foundation (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Healthy Aging (ALOHA) Study is a community-based research project led by the Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging (MCOA). The study is designed to help older adults in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area maintain independence, mobility, wellbeing and brain health as they age.

Adults aged 50 years and older will receive a comprehensive health assessment at the study site, Center for Optimal Aging- ALOHA Lab at Marymount University (MU) Ballston Campus in Arlington, Virginia. The assessment includes physical and cognitive testing, health and medical history, lifestyle surveys, and biometric measures such as blood pressure, grip strength, body composition by the InBody system, balance and gait speed. Participants will receive their results in a personalized "Health Passport," which summarizes findings and provides tailored recommendations to help manage modifiable health risk factors-such as those linked to Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, frailty syndrome, and depression.

Participants will return annually for up to 5 years to repeat assessments and receive updated health and wellness recommendations. The study will track changes in health over time and explore the impact of the Health Passport on health behaviors, functional independence, and quality of life. ALOHA will also evaluate the cultural appropriateness of the Health Passport for diverse populations in Northern Virginia.

The program incorporates an interprofessional research model, engaging researchers from multiple health professions to work alongside older adults, supporting both participants' wellness and optimal aging.

Full description

The Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Healthy Aging (ALOHA) Study is an interdisciplinary, mixed-method, longitudinal research program aimed at identifying, tracking, and managing modifiable health risk factors that influence optimal aging. The study serves community-dwelling adults aged 50 and older living in the DMV region, with initial recruitment focused on healthy individuals without significant cognitive impairment or terminal illness.

The ALOHA framework combines comprehensive baseline and follow-up health assessments with personalized wellness guidance. At enrollment, participants undergo:

1. Physical health evaluations (vital signs, body composition via bioimpedance, cardiovascular function via arteriography, mobility and endurance tests, grip strength, flexibility, balance)
2. Cognitive assessments (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Central Nervous System [CNS] Vital Signs, Wechsler Memory and Intelligence scales, Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders [Neuro-QOL] Cognitive Function survey)
3. Lifestyle and psychosocial surveys (physical activity, diet quality using the MIND diet score, depression screening via the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D], social determinants of health, oral health, self-efficacy, quality of life)

Findings are compiled into a tailored, participant-specific, "Health Passport," which summarizes results in accessible language and offers practical, evidence-based recommendations for reducing disease risk, improving physical and cognitive function, and promoting overall wellness.

Participants return annually for up to five years to repeat assessments, receive an updated Health Passport consultation, and complete follow-up surveys regarding adherence, satisfaction, and changes in health status. The longitudinal design allows researchers to examine health trajectories, the effectiveness of early prevention strategies, and the relationship between modifiable risk factors and outcomes such as functional independence and cognitive decline.

Primary study aims:

1. Identify and track the prevalence of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, frailty, and depression.
2. Provide tailored recommendations to support participant-driven health improvement and evaluate adherence to Health Passport guidance.
3. Engage older adults and university students in an intergenerational, interprofessional health promotion research model.

The study emphasizes cultural inclusivity, particularly for Northern Virginia's racially and ethnically diverse populations. Spanish-language materials and validated translated assessments are incorporated to support Hispanic/Latino participants.

By integrating clinical, behavioral, and community health approaches, the ALOHA study aims to contribute new evidence on preventive aging strategies, refine the Health Passport model, and expand its use to other communities and academic centers.

Enrollment: 500 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 50 years or older at time of enrollment
• Residing in the Washington, District of Columbia (DC)., Maryland, or Virginia metropolitan areas
• Community-dwelling (living independently or with minimal assistance)
• Able to participate in physical and cognitive assessments
• Able to provide informed consent
• Willing to return for annual follow-up assessments for up to 5 years

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of dementia or significant cognitive impairment that prevents informed consent or participation in assessments
• Severe physical disability or medical condition that precludes participation in study assessments (e.g., unstable cardiac condition, severe mobility limitation)
• Current diagnosis of a terminal illness with life expectancy less than 12 months
• Residing in a long-term care facility or nursing home at time of enrollment
• Inability to communicate in English or Spanish (study materials available in these languages only)
• Participation in another interventional trial that could confound study results

Trial design

500 participants in 1 patient group

ALOHA Health Passport Cohort

Description:

Community-dwelling adults aged 50 and older who receive a comprehensive baseline and annual health assessment at the Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging. Assessments include physical, cognitive, and psychosocial measures. Results are compiled into a personalized "Health Passport" with tailored recommendations for managing modifiable health risk factors. Participants return annually for up to 5 years to monitor health changes, update recommendations, and complete follow-up surveys on adherence and outcomes.