Boston OAIC Developmental Projects

A number of important conceptual and methodological issues have hindered efficacy trials of Function Promoting Therapies (FPT) in humans.  Among the methodological issues, the length and complexity of the physical function measures has raised concerns over respondent burden, administration time, and data collection costs. Similarly, although there is agreement that assessment of physical activity in the home environment is an excellent integrated measure of an individual’s physical function, the accuracy of existing instruments for measuring the amount and types of physical activity has been questioned.  Thus, there exists an urgent need for the development and testing of innovative methodologies for the measurement of physical function and physical activity for future FPTs trials in humans.

Integrated, interdisciplinary approaches that aim to improve upon existing functional outcome measures is a major focus of the two development projects selected for inclusion in our OAIC application.    They are directly related to the BU OAIC goal of devising new tools to assess physical function that can be used in future efficacy trials of function promoting therapies. The Center’s developmental projects will help expedite the translation of research results into evidence-based therapies for treatment and prevention of functional limitations and disability, and help increase or maintain independence among Older Americans.

Current Developmental Projects:

 Continuous monitoring of functional activities in the home and community based setting
Principal Investigator: Robert C. Wagenaar, PhD, Sargent College, Boston University
Co-Principal Investigator: Thomas D.C. Little, School of Engineering, Boston University

 Interactive Voice Response Administration of the Late-Life FDI
Co-Principal Investigators: Alan M. Jette, PhD & Nancy Latham, PhD, Health & Disability Research Institute, Sargent College, Boston University; Robert Friedman, MD, Director, BUMC Medical Informatics Unit 

Completed Developmental Projects:

None to date.

Future Developmental Projects:

The first generation of developmental projects will end in the third year. Therefore, near the end of the second project year, we will initiate the search for second generation of developmental projects.

The review criteria will include:

• relevance of the technology to the clinical trials of function promoting therapies,
• interdisciplinarity,
• innovation,
• scientific merit, and
• likelihood of future funding.

Novel research methodologies will receive priority. Developmental projects that are interdisciplinary, especially those that integrate multiple research platforms, will have priority.

Developmental Project Announcements:

Currently, the Center is accepting applications for Developmental Projects for inlusion in the Center grant renewal application. The deadline for submission is February 15, 2012.

Please download a copy of the RFA here or contact Alicia Mackin at alicia.mackin@bmc.org for additional information.