An observational study in Alzheimer Disease (AD), Cardio Vascular Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), sponsored by Marymount University. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 50 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-09.
Sponsored by Marymount University · Observational
The Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Healthy Aging (ALOHA) Study is a community-based research project led by the Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging (MCOA). The study is designed to help older adults in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area maintain independence, mobility, wellbeing and brain health as they age.
Adults aged 50 years and older will receive a comprehensive health assessment at the study site, Center for Optimal Aging- ALOHA Lab at Marymount University (MU) Ballston Campus in Arlington, Virginia. The assessment includes physical and cognitive testing, health and medical history, lifestyle surveys, and biometric measures such as blood pressure, grip strength, body composition by the InBody system, balance and gait speed. Participants will receive their results in a personalized "Health Passport," which summarizes findings and provides tailored recommendations to help manage modifiable health risk factors-such as those linked to Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, frailty syndrome, and depression.
Participants will return annually for up to 5 years to repeat assessments and receive updated health and wellness recommendations. The study will track changes in health over time and explore the impact of the Health Passport on health behaviors, functional independence, and quality of life. ALOHA will also evaluate the cultural appropriateness of the Health Passport for diverse populations in Northern Virginia.
The program incorporates an interprofessional research model, engaging researchers from multiple health professions to work alongside older adults, supporting both participants' wellness and optimal aging.
The Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Healthy Aging (ALOHA) Study is an interdisciplinary, mixed-method, longitudinal research program aimed at identifying, tracking, and managing modifiable health risk factors that influence optimal aging. The study serves community-dwelling adults aged 50 and older living in the DMV region, with initial recruitment focused on healthy individuals without significant cognitive impairment or terminal illness.
The ALOHA framework combines comprehensive baseline and follow-up health assessments with personalized wellness guidance. At enrollment, participants undergo:
Findings are compiled into a tailored, participant-specific, "Health Passport," which summarizes results in accessible language and offers practical, evidence-based recommendations for reducing disease risk, improving physical and cognitive function, and promoting overall wellness.
Participants return annually for up to five years to repeat assessments, receive an updated Health Passport consultation, and complete follow-up surveys regarding adherence, satisfaction, and changes in health status. The longitudinal design allows researchers to examine health trajectories, the effectiveness of early prevention strategies, and the relationship between modifiable risk factors and outcomes such as functional independence and cognitive decline.
Primary study aims:
The study emphasizes cultural inclusivity, particularly for Northern Virginia's racially and ethnically diverse populations. Spanish-language materials and validated translated assessments are incorporated to support Hispanic/Latino participants.
By integrating clinical, behavioral, and community health approaches, the ALOHA study aims to contribute new evidence on preventive aging strategies, refine the Health Passport model, and expand its use to other communities and academic centers.
3,675 studies on the registry are indexed under Alzheimer Disease; 869 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 500 is above the median of 200 across 751 observational studies indexed under Alzheimer Disease.
Browse Alzheimer Disease studies →Marymount University is the lead sponsor of 7 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older living in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metropolitan area. Participants are generally healthy or have manageable chronic conditions and are able to complete physical, cognitive, and psychosocial assessments. Recruitment will emphasize diversity, including racial/ethnic minority groups and individuals from underserved communities, with study materials available in English and Spanish.
Exclusion Criteria:
Community-dwelling adults aged 50 and older who receive a comprehensive baseline and annual health assessment at the Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging. Assessments include physical, cognitive, and psychosocial measures. Results are compiled into a personalized "Health Passport" with tailored recommendations for managing modifiable health risk factors. Participants return annually for up to 5 years to monitor health changes, update recommendations, and complete follow-up surveys on adherence and outcomes.
Change in adherence to Health Passport recommendations-Physical/Cardiovascular Health (HPAI-PC)
Health Passport Adherence Index (HPAI) Physical/Cardiovascular health; study-specific index. 5-item Likert index (0-4 per item), domain total 0-20; higher = better adherence. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in adherence to Health Passport recommendations-Cognitive, Sleep, and Mental Health (HPAI-CSM)
Health Passport Adherence Index (HPAI) for Cognitive, Sleep and Mental Health. 5-item Likert index (0-4 per item), domain total 0-20; higher = better adherence. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a 30-point scale used to assess global cognitive function, including memory, attention, language, and executive function. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in static balance (Four-Stage Balance Test)
Total seconds successfully held across 4 stances (0-40 s); higher = better. Unit: seconds.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in adherence to Health Passport recommendations-Diet and Oral Health (HPAI-DO)
Health Passport Adherence Index (HPAI) Diet and Oral Health. 5-item Likert index (0-4 per item), domain total 0-20; higher = better adherence. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in adherence to Health Passport recommendations-Social Health (HPAI-SH)
Health Passport Adherence Index (HPAI) for Social Health. 5-item Likert index (0-4 per item), domain total 0-20; higher = better adherence. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in walking endurance (200-Meter Fast Walk Test)
Seconds to complete 200 m at fastest safe pace; lower = better. Unit: seconds.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in gait speed (10-Meter Walk Test)
Comfortable-pace gait speed over 10 m; meters/second; higher = better. Unit: m/s.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Sleep Disturbance
PROMIS-57 Sleep Disturbance T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = worse. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Pain Interference
PROMIS-57 (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System.) Pain Interference T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = worse. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Fatigue
PROMIS-57 Fatigue T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = worse. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Depression
PROMIS-57 Depression T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = worse. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Anxiety
PROMIS-57 (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Anxiety T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = worse. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Satisfaction with Social Roles
PROMIS-57 Satisfaction with Social Roles T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = better. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in PROMIS-57 Physical Function
PROMIS-57 (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Physical Function T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = better function. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in depressive symptoms (CES-D-20)
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-20 items (0-3 per item based on past-week frequency: 0=rarely/none, 1=some/a little, 2=occasionally/moderate, 3=most/all); total 0-60; higher = worse depressive symptoms. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in self-reported cognitive function (Neuro-QOL v2.0 Cognitive Function)
Neuro-QOL (Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders) Cognitive Function T-score (mean 50, SD 10); higher = better cognitive function. Unit: T-score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in falls incidence (self-report)
Number of falls in the prior 12 months, self-reported. Unit: number of falls. Fewer falls indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in Central Nervous System (CNS) Vital Signs composite scores
CNS Vital Signs is a computerized neurocognitive test battery that evaluates domains such as memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed. Scores are standardized (mean = 100, SD = 15) and age-matched, with higher scores reflecting better function.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) using a standardized sphygmomanometer.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in body composition (bioimpedance)
Body composition will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, reporting the percentage (%) body fat and kilograms (kg) lean tissue mass.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in MIND Diet Score
The MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) Diet Score measures adherence to dietary patterns associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline. Scores are based on frequency of consumption of 15 food groups. The total score ranges from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to the MIND diet and better diet quality.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in Timed Up and Go (TUG) test scores
The Timed Up and Go test measures functional mobility. Participants are timed while standing up from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning, walking back, and sitting down. Lower times indicate better mobility.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in 6-Minute Walk Test distance
The 6-Minute Walk Test measures functional exercise capacity by recording the distance an individual can walk in 6 minutes on a flat surface. Greater distances, measured in meters (m), indicate better mobility and endurance.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI (kg/m²); numeric measure; interpretation relative to clinical ranges. In most cases, "better" scores are indicated by closer proximity to normal BMI (18.5-24.5), with lower scores indicating an underweight BMI and higher scores indicating an overweight BMI. Unit: kg/m².
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in oral-health-related quality of life (GOHAI)
Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); Score range is 12-60; higher = better oral-health-related quality of life. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in perceived stress (A-SDH)
Perceived Stress construct standardized score per A-SDH (All of Us Social Determinants of Health) scoring per U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; higher score = worse stress. Unit: standardized construct score.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in food insecurity (A-SDH)
Proportion of participants screening positive for food insecurity (All of Us Social Determinants of Health, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services); lower proportion = better. Unit: percent of participants.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in transportation difficulty (A-SDH)
Proportion of participants endorsing transportation barriers, per the A-SDH (All of Us Social Determinants of Health, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services); lower proportion = better. Unit: percent of participants.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Overall adherence to Health Passport recommendations (HPAI total; exploratory)
Sum of the four Health Passport Adherence Index (HPAI) domain scores (0-80). If one domain is N/A, average available domains and multiply by 4. Higher = better adherence. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in Health Passport usability (HPUS; exploratory)
Health Passport Usability Score (HPUS), 5-item Likert index (0-4 per item). Items: usefulness, clarity, ease of following, goal-setting support, sharing frequency (Likert). Total 0-20; higher = better usability. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in arterial stiffness (arteriography)
Arterial stiffness will be assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), measured in meters per second or via a comparable arteriography method. Higher values indicate greater stiffness.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in resting heart rate
Resting heart rate (measured in beats per minute \[bpm\]) will be measured after 5 minutes of seated rest.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Change in Health Passport Usability Score (HPUS)
Health Passport Usability Score (HPUS), a 5 item Likert index. Each item scored 0-4 (0=strongly disagree, 1=disagree, 2=neither agree nor disagree, 3=agree, 4=strongly agree). Total 0-20; higher scores indicate better usability. Unit: points.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months (with annual re-testing up to 5 years, per protocol).
Plan to share: Yes — IPD used for the resulting publication(s) will be shared.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf, Csr, Analytic code
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