Projects
The EXHALE Lab conducts research focused on health behavior change, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, and technology-supported interventions. Ongoing and completed projects explore topics including cancer survivorship, weight management, social media and health communication, mobile health tools, and collaborative approaches to physical activity and wellness.
Onging Projects
Aerobic exercise among adults in opioid maintenance treatment
This study proposes a physical activity intervention to be used as an adjunctive treatment to opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). This study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of an aerobic exercise program as an adjunctive treatment to OMT, among individuals who are currently receiving OMT. Another goal of this study is to develop an aerobic exercise intervention that can be easily adapted for community based treatment.
MPI: Dr. Meredith Berry
Funding: UF Older Americans Independence Center
Publications:
Aerobic Exercise Interventions for Patients in Opioid Maintenance Treatment: A Systematic Review
High Intensity Interval Training: Optimizing Exercise Therapy to Mitigate Cardiovascular Disease Risk Following Breast Cancer Chemotherapy
The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an exercise intervention (HIIT– high-intensity interval training- all-extremity non-weight-bearing exercise), as compared to moderate-intensity continuous training and usual care for women who have recently completed chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. If successful, this study could address a critical gap in our understanding of the most beneficial exercise regimen that would have the greatest clinical impact on breast cancer survivors who experience accelerated cardiovascular aging following chemotherapy
The major goals of this project are to explore potential predictors in adolescence and early adulthood (tobacco exposure, psychosocial stress, physical activity) of later life development of ovarian cancer.
PI: Dr. Demetra Christou
Funding: NIH, NIA
Women’s Cycling: Technology Support and Equity Challenges
in Cycling Journeys
Outdoor cycling fosters social interaction and allows individuals of different fitness levels and ages to exercise together. However, cycling faces significant equity challenges, particularly with women riding bikes less frequently than men. Cycling promotion efforts have disproportionately benefitted men and marginalized women.
In collaboration with Dr. Kristy Boyer’s LearnDialogue Lab, we have examined ways in which women describe technology as supporting their cycling journey: [Women’s Cycling Journeys: A Preliminary Case for the Role of Cycling HCI in Improving Gender Equity].
Our other ongoing research in this area involves qualitative interviews with women who engage in regular cycling for fitness. These interviews explore their journey from initial engagement to the factors that facilitate or hinder their participation. Currently, we are in the process of writing up the results of these interviews.
Connect4Health
The Connect4Health research study is enrolling adult patients within the UF Health system who qualify for enrollment. The study aims to support lifestyle changes, such as changing eating and physical activity habits, to help improve health and achieve weight loss.
For more information, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/connect4health/home
MPI: Dr. Megan McVay
Delivering a family-based physical activity intervention through mobile technology
This study focuses on the intersection of family-based physical activity and technology with intervention delivery via mobile-app. In an effort to address current gaps in the field, this study is utilizing a novel physical activity target, integrated with a wearable physical activity device (Fitbit), a social network for parents, and opportunities for family support.
Funding: NIH NICHD; more information here.
All-Extremity Exercise as a Novel Strategy for Optimizing Cardiovascular Function during Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of all-extremity non-weight-bearing exercise (ANE), treadmill exercise, and usual care on endothelial and cardiac function in patients with primary non-metastatic breast cancer who are currently undergoing chemotherapy. This study seeks to provide early evidence regarding ANE as a feasible and effective intervention in reducing cardiovascular toxicity through the use of an exploratory R21 study.
PI: Dr. Demetra Christou
Funding: NIH, NHLBI
Real-time Analytics for Collaborative Sport: Connexx App
Endurance sports such as cycling offer numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. Research has also shown that engaging in physical activity collaboratively with partners yields greater benefits compared to exercising alone. In collaboration with Dr. Kristy Boyer’s LearnDialogue Lab, we have prototyped an app named Connexx. This app displays real-time metrics such as heart rate, pace, and other key data for runners, walkers, and cyclists engaging in collaborative physical activities. Connexx is prototyped for smartphones, smartwatches, and Karoo cycling. We are actively conducting research on how real-time analytics can facilitate the beneficial and complex social processes within collaborative physical activity and sport.
Publications:
Cycling is a Collaborative Sport and Cycling HCI Needs More Collaboration Research
Using Social Media to Influence Physical Activity
The purpose of this project is to determine what fitness content (from “Fitness Influencers”) found on social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) could be used in a brief intervention to increase PA among young adult women. Currently, we are gathering preliminary data on the feasibility and acceptability of a social media intervention approach through interviews with college women. Preliminary results have provided insight into which content and influencers may be helpful, motivating, and trustworthy in increasing PA for young adult women. The themes from these interviews will be used to inform the development of a social media-based PA intervention that aims to help young adult women navigate PA content from influencers to curate a feed that is supportive and motivating.
Student PI: Hannah A. Lavoie, MS CHES (PhD Student)
Navigating Weight Loss Misinformation Through Social Media: the STOP Method
This project is aimed towards translating evidence-based strategies into brief educational video modules, utilizing the “STOP Method”, to inform adults about health misinformation on forum-based social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter. We are currently interviewing target populations to receive qualitative feedback that will be used to refine the developed materials through semi-structured interviews. Final materials will be embedded into educational modules to support adults in handling misinformation during a future randomized weight-loss trial utilizing online social communities to be conducted by our team.
Student PI: Chrishann Walcott (Undergraduate Student)
Completed Projects
Engaging primary care patients in online weight management tools
The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a primary-care based approach to facilitating engagement in online behavior tracking and community support networks for weight loss over 12 weeks among adults with overweight or obesity. MPI: Dr. Megan McVay
Publications and Presentations:
Using the Design Sprint process to enhance and accelerate behavioral medicine progress: A case study and guidance
Engaging primary care patients with existing online tools for weight loss: A pilot trial
Engaging primary care patients in online weight management tools
The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a primary-care based approach to facilitating engagement in online behavior tracking and community support networks for weight loss over 12 weeks among adults with overweight or obesity. MPI: Dr. Megan McVay
Publications and Presentations:
Using the Design Sprint process to enhance and accelerate behavioral medicine progress: A case study and guidance
Engaging primary care patients with existing online tools for weight loss: A pilot trial
Early Childhood Feeding App -Phase I
This study is aimed to better understand the feeding guidance and nutrition needs of parents of children ages 0-2 years to develop an evidenced-based mHealth app.
MPI: Dr. Amy Mobley
Publications and Presentations:
BabyByte: Formative Research to Inform the Development of an App to Improve Responsive Feeding
Practices in Parents of Infants and Toddlers
Babybyte: Usability Testing of a mHealth App Prototype to Improve Responsive Feeding Practices in Parents of Infants and Toddlers
Early life exposures and
risk of developing ovarian cancer
The major goals of this project are to explore potential predictors in adolescence and early adulthood (tobacco exposure, psychosocial stress, physical activity) of later life development of ovarian cancer.
PI: Dr. Shelley Tworoger
Funding: Moffitt Cancer Center and Florida Department of Health
Publications:
Early life physical activity and ovarian cancer risk in adulthood
Early life exposure to tobacco smoke and ovarian cancer risk in adulthood
Lifetime Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and Risk of Ovarian Cancer by T Cell Tumor Immune Infiltration
Physical activity among women undergoing chemotherapy or recently completed treatment for cancer
The purpose of this study is to explore the fit of intervention components for an exercise intervention for women undergoing chemotherapy or have recently completed primary cancer treatment. Women will complete semi-structured interviews to provide input on intervention design. The eventual intervention will investigate the effects of exercise on cardiovascular disease risk factors (e.g., endothelial function, arterial stiffness, cardio-respiratory fitness) and quality of life.
Student PI: Hannah A. Lavoie, MS CHES (PhD Student)