Dr. Mark Floyd, a psychology professor at UNLV, is looking for volunteers to participate in research on treatments for three problems experienced by many older adults: excessive worrying, chronic pain due to osteoarthritis, and depression.

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 6 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 4 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 8 weeks.

Depression

Depression is a severe form of sadness that has been estimated to effect up to 20 percent of older adults. Although older adults are not at greater risk for depression than younger adults, there are several situations that occur more frequently in later life that put us at risk for depression, such as the death of loved ones, increased health problems, disability, and chronic pain. Not only is depression an unpleasant experience, depressed older adults are at much higher risk for suicide, physical illness, and increased mortality.

The two primary symptoms of depression are sadness and a lack of enjoyment in activities that used to be fun. Additional symptoms of depression include appetite changes, sleep problems, preoccupation with death and dying, problems with concentration and memory, fatigue, feeling restless or lethargic, and excessive guilt.

In this study, Floyd will be examining the effectiveness of ballroom dance lessons as a treatment for depression. If you are at least 60 years old, and think you may be depressed, then you may qualify for a free treatment, which will last approximately 8 weeks.

These research projects have been reviewed and approved by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Institutional Review Board for the protection of Human Subjects.

If you are interested in any of these treatments, please call Dr. Mark Floyd at 895-0109.