Dr. Mark Floyd, a psychology professor at UNLV, is looking for volunteers to participate in research on treatments for two problems experienced by many older adults: excessive worrying and chronic pain due to osteoarthritis.
Volunteers will benefit because they will receive free treatment for one of these problems. And older adults in general will benefit because this research will help improve our understanding and treatment of these problems.
Please call Dr. Mark Floyd at 895-0109 for more information.
Following is a brief description of each of the problems and treatments.
Worry
Do you worry too much? We all worry at least a little bit. It's a natural emotion. For example, everyone worries at some point about things like our health, our children, politics, and even sports. Worry is not always bad. Worry can prompt us to solve problems and prevent bad things from happening to us. Unfortunately, it is possible to worry too much. When our worries get out of control, we feel overwhelmed and think that we won't be able to handle the situation. Plus, excessive worry can cause significant health problems.
Severe problems with worry have been estimated to affect up to 15 percent of older adults. The most common treatment is anxiolytic medication (Valium, for example), however medication has several potential problems for older adults such as dependence, the increased likelihood of injury due to falls, and interactions with other medications (the typical 65 year old takes an average of six medications daily). Furthermore, some older adults are unable to take anxiolytic medications.
Dr. Floyd is currently conducting research on a non-medical treatment. The treatment involves using a workbook that is designed to reduce worry. If you are at least 60 years old, and think that you worry too much, that you worry about minor things, or that your worry is out of control, you may qualify for a free treatment to reduce your anxiety. This treatment will last approximately four weeks.
Osteoarthritis Pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of a group of painful conditions referred to as "arthritis." Osteoarthritis is caused by the wearing away of the cartilage that protects joints. Osteoarthritis is different from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts the first time between the years of 25 and 50, is unpredictable, often causes a general feeling of illness, deformed joints, causes joints to become red, swollen, and inflamed, involves joints bilaterally (on both sides of the body) and can strike almost any joint in the body. Osteoarthritis generally doesn't occur until after age 40, gradually worsening each year, and effects primarily the joints of the hips, knees, feet, spine, and hands. Osteoarthritis affects the majority of older adults, sometimes severely impacting their quality of life. Surgical treatments are limited by the state of cartilage replacement technology and medications have either limited efficacy or side effects that are risky for older adults.
Although medication is the most common treatment for osteoarthritis, older adults respond well to psychological treatments. Psychological interventions can significantly reduce pain levels without the risks of medication.
Floyd is currently conducting research on a psychological treatment for the chronic pain from osteoarthritis. The treatment involves using a workbook to reduce pain. If you are at least 60 years old, and have pain from osteoarthritis, then you may qualify for a free treatment. This treatment will last approximately eight weeks.
Both of these research projects have been reviewed and approved by the Ê×Ò³| Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Institutional Review Board for the protection of Human Subjects.
If you are interested in either of these treatments, please call Dr. Mark Floyd at 895-0109.
