Im and Chee Submit NIH R01 Application

Kudos to Eun-Ok Im, associate dean for research development and regulatory affairs; and Wonshik Chee, associate professor; and their entire team for the submission of their NIH R01 application entitled “To Reduce Depressive Symptoms in Midlife Korean Americans through Promoting Lifestyle Physical Activity." This proposal requests funding for a five-year period with a start date of Jan. 1, 2020. 

With an increasing multicultural aging population in the U.S., depression in midlife racial/ethnic minorities has become more significant than ever. Depression is often unrecognized and untreated especially in racial/ethnic minorities despite its high prevalence. Racial/ethnic minorities tend to rarely seek help for depression as well. Furthermore, midlife is a life stage of multiple changes that cause additional stress to racial/ethnic minorities, which subsequently makes them at increased risk of depression. To prevent midlife racial/ethnic minorities’ depressive symptoms, physical activities have been suggested as effective modalities. A technology-based program using mobile devices, computers, and accelerometers could provide a highly innovative and effective way for physical activity promotion among racial/ethnic minorities. However, few technology-based interventions are available for midlife racial/ethnic minorities, and they have several shortcomings.

Based on a former R01 study and Preliminary Studies, the research team has developed and pilot-tested the first theory-driven technology-based physical activity promotion program that is specifically tailored to a group of racial/ethnic minorities at high risk—midlife Korean Americans. The program that will be accessible through computers, mobile devices (smart phones and tablets), and accelerometers has several unique features that overcome the shortcomings of existing programs. The purpose of this randomized intervention study is to examine the efficacy of the technology-based physical activity promotion program in reducing depressive symptoms of midlife Korean Americans.

The long-term goals are to: (a) evaluate theory-driven culturally competent technology-based preventive interventions for depression of midlife racial/ethnic minorities; and (b) increase physical activity of midlife racial/ethnic minorities, subsequently reducing racial/ethnic disparities in chronic diseases including depression. This study will inform future development of culturally tailored technology-based preventive interventions to reduce racial/racial/ethnic disparities in various health conditions.