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Research Interest
Evidence-based exercise interventions for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis
Non-pharmacological interventions for managing chronic diseases (specifically arthritis) in older adults

GeroFit
GeroFit is a supervised exercise program for older Veterans. Participants receive a personal exercise program based on their physical profile and goals, which can include individual and group-based exercises such as Tai Chi, line dancing, balance, core coordination, and strengthening classes. Trained exercise staff provide guidance in carrying out the exercise program. Participants have demonstrated improved health, physical function and well-being. They have shown improvements in blood pressure, diabetes management, symptom management, well-being, quality of life, physical function, overall fitness, and longevity. The Eastern Colorado Health Care System GRECC began enrolling participants in Summer 2018.

Recent Publications

The following research fields have been used to summarize Dr. Abbate's publication (the number in parenthesis is the times that research field has appeared). The categories are based on 29 publications with 841 citations of her work, 45% of her publications have at least 1 citation:

• Clinical Research (12)
• Aging (11)
• Arthritis (8)
• Prevention (7)
• Pain Research (6)
• Chronic Pain (6)
• Nutrition (5)
• Obesity (5)
• Mental Health (4)
• Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities (4)
• Behavioral and Social Science (3)

Fernandez D, Wilkins SS, Melrose RJ, Hall KM, Abbate LM, Morey MC, Castle SC, Zeng A, Lee CC. Physical Function Effects of Live Video Group Exercise Interventions for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Veteran's Gerofit Group Case Study. Telemed J E Health. 2022 Nov 10. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0175. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36355076
Learn more about this publication on Dimensions

McQuown CM, Snell KT, Abbate LM, Jetter EM, Blatnik JK, Ragsdale LC. Telehealth for Geriatric Post Emergency Department Visit to Promote Age Friendly Care. Health Serv Res. 2022 Aug 28. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14058. Epub ahead of print.
PMID: 36054025
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Buck AN, Shultz SP, Huffman KF, Vincent HK, Batsis JA, Newman CB, Beresic N, Abbate LM, Callahan LF. Mind the Gap: Exploring Nutritional Health Compared With Weight Management Interests of Individuals with Osteoarthritis. Curr Dev Nutr. 2022 Apr 19;6(6):nzac084. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzac084. PMCID: PMC9188467.
PMID: 35702382.

Jennings SC, Manning KM, Bettger JP, Hall KM, Pearson M, Mateas C, Briggs BC, Oursler KK, Blanchard E, Lee CC, Castle S, Valencia WM, Katzel LI, Giffuni J, Kopp T, McDonald M, Harris R, Bean JF, Althuis K, Alexander NB, Padala KP, Abbate LM, Wellington T, Kostra J, Allsup K, Forman DE, Tayade AS, Wesley AD, Holder A, Morey MC. Rapid Transition to Telehealth Group Exercise and Functional Assessments in Response to COVID-19. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2020 Dec 14;6:2333721420980313. doi: 10.1177/2333721420980313. PMCID: PMC7739082.
PMID: 33403222.

Allen KD, Woolson S, Hoenig HM, Bongiorni D, Byrd J, Caves K, Hall KS, Heiderscheit B, Hodges NJ, Huffman KM, Morey MC, Ramasunder S, Severson H, Van Houtven C, Abbate LM, Coffman CJ. Stepped Exercise Program for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis : A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2020 Dec 29. doi: 10.7326/M20-4447. Epub ahead of print.
PMID: 33370174.

Wilkins SS, Melrose RJ, Hall KS, Blanchard E, Castle SC, Kopp T, Katzel LI, Holder A, Alexander N, McDonald MKS, Tayade A, Forman DE, Abbate LM, Harris R, Valencia WM, Morey MC, Lee CC. PTSD Improvement Associated with Social Connectedness in Gerofit Veterans Exercise Program. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 Dec 23. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16973. Epub ahead of print.
PMID: 33368144.

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