Augusta University Research Institute

This study will help develop new methods of rehabilitating Veterans with vision loss due to Age-related macular degeneration.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a physician led, multi-disciplinary approach to treating obesity that incorporates nutrition (mainly, using genetics to identify appropriate food intake), exercise, and motivational counseling. The investigators plan to recruit overweight/obese (BMI>25) males and females to participate. Participants will be randomized to receive a personalized diet plan, or a standard care diet plan; both groups will participate in the exercise intervention. For a 6-month duration, both groups will be asked to improve their diet according to their dietary plan and participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (gradual increase up to 300 min/week). The investigators intend to evaluate standard outcomes of weight loss, and assess for any predictors of positive outcomes. Following the six-month intervention, participants will complete a 3-month no contact phase. This no contact phase will provide insight into the effects of the study on weight loss maintenance. Our team also plans to address acceptability by providing evaluations to study participants and conducting interviews with a small subset of participants to improve the intervention for the future.

The purpose of this proposal is to understand how the Vibrant Health Ultimate whole-body vibration (WBV) machine affects pain and inflammation in older adults. The investigators' hypothesize that sub-acute (12 weeks) WBV will lead to improvement in the level of knee pain and improve vascular function via a decrease in systemic inflammation.