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Research
- Clinical
Applied Clinical Research
Clinical research initiatives of the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics are in the area of outcome evaluation,
nutrition, muscle metabolism, and functional rehabilitation of the frail elderly. Our goal is to identify the most
appropriate approach to the delivery of nutritional and rehabilitative care to frail hospitalized elderly patients and
to maintain optimal health in the non-frail elderly.
The Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics maintains a vibrant relationship with the Little Rock VA hospital. Dr.
Dennis Sullivan, Director, Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECC) appointed Dr. William Evans as
head of the Nutrition, Metabolism, and Exercise Laboratory (NMEL). The unique environment of the Geriatric Research
Education and Clinical Center will provide the opportunity for clinical research to interact directly with geriatricians
immediately involved in the care of their patients, many of whom are veterans.
Dr. Evans' research at the NMEL has been supported by three NIH grants. In addition to serving as a site for clinical
research and health promotion activities, the NMEL also serves as a very important clinical and research training site.
Working with Dr. Evans and Dr. Sullivan is a team of researchers including Wayne Campbell, PhD, Todd Trappe, PhD,
James Fluckey, PhD, Per Tesch, PhD, and Charles Lambert, PhD. This group has received substantial grant support, and
their research spans various topics, including:
- Protein Metabolism
- Functional Capacity
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Dr. Cornelia Beck, professor, Department of Psychiatry and assistant professor, Department of Geriatrics, has
compiled an exceptional national reputation for research on improving the quality of care in nursing homes. Dr. Beck
and her colleagues are conducting a NIH-funded study, "A Partnership Approach to Sustaining Best Practices."
This approach seeks to form various partnerships to help achieve the best care for a nursing home patient.
Vital to the success of Dr. Beck's research into improving the quality of care in nursing homes is the study of
Cognitive Impairment.
Cognitive Impairment - This research program continues to focus on the areas of promoting functional independence,
dealing with problem behaviors, promoting sleep, the use of community-based services by caregivers and persons with
dementia, and measuring outcomes of services for persons with dementia.
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