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The ELM Trial
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​​​​​​It's about help.
And it might just be the boost of courage you need.

​What is the​ ​​​​ELM Trial?

The Enhanced Lifestyles for Metabolic Syndrome(ELM) multisite trial investigates how to best help people with metabolic syndrome reverse the condition through lifestyle changes. We hope to prevent people from developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. While many people are able to make short-term lifestyle changes, the ELM programs are designed to give you tools and ongoing support to increase your physical activity, eat healthy, and manage stress for the long term.​

​Is E​​​LM a good fit for me? 

  • ​You are 18 years of age or older.
  • Y​ou are interested in and motivated to eat healthier and move more.
  • You have three or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome.​
  • You do not have a history of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.
  • You are able to commit to participating in a two-year trial. ​
  • You are able to travel to one of the 5 research sites.​

​

How does ​it work​​?​ 

​First, we need to make sure you are a good fit for the ELM Trial. We will ask you to come to our clinic t​o confirm you have metabolic syndrome. The visit will consist of a blood test(at no cost to you), physical measurements, answering some questions, and wearing an activity monitor for seven days. If you qualify and are a good fit then you will be randomly assigned to one of the following two programs:​​

​Self-Directed Program
​Group-Based Program

​We provide the tools to help you make lifestyle changes on your own schedule.


The program at a glance:

  • In-person meeting with the Self-Directed coordinator to orient you to the program

  • Receive monthly tip sheets providing education and lifestyle guidance

  • Receive a Fitbit to self-monitor physical activity

  • Receive access to the ELM website

  • Receive progress report letters with your lab results

We provide the tools, and you make lifestyle changes with the support of a group.​


The program at a glance:

  • In-person meeting with a Group-Based leader to orient you to the program

  • Attend 1.5-hour group lifestyle sessions held weekly for three months, biweekly for three months, and monthly for 18 months

  • Receive a Fitbit to self-monitor physical activity

  • Receive access to the ELM website and an online community group

  • Receive progress report letters with your lab results


 

​Next, you will come for three follow-up visits, similar to your first visit, so we can see how you are doing periodically over the  next two years. You will be given a copy of your lab and physical measures data after each visit. ​​

​Where is it?​

We have five research sites currently enrolling.​
  • 1
    • Rush University Medical Center - Chicago, IL

      1700 w Van Buren Suite 470
      Chicago, IL 60612

  • 2
    • University of Missouri - Kansas City

      2411 Holmes Street
      Kansas City, Missouri 64108

  • 3
    • Geisinger Health System - Danville, PA

      675 Baltimore Drive
      Wilkes Barre, PA 18711

      Google Maps Generator by embedgooglemap.net
  • 4
    • University of Colorado Denver - Aurora, CO
      Anschutz Medical Campus
      Anschutz Health and Wellness Center

      12348 E Montview Blvd.
      Aurora, CO 80045

  • 5
    • Rochester Institute of Technology - Rochester, NY

      180 Lomb Memorial Dr.
      Rochester, NY 14623

      bitgeeks.net

  • When Can I Join?

    ​We will be starting groups in the following months:

    ​ENROLLMENT PERIOD
    		 ​​PROGRAMS BEGIN
    ​Summer/Fall 2019
    		 ​January 2020
    ​Winter/Spring 2020 ​July 2020
    ​​Summer/Fall 2020 ​January​ ​2021
    ​Winter/Spring 2021 ​​July 2021

​What is the difference between joining a trial an​​d a standard health program? 

     

  1. ​You are helping the research community figure out better ways of treating metabolic syndrome.

  2. You don't get to choose which program you join. You are instead randomized to either the Self-Directed Program or Group-Based Program. Participants will have an equal chance of being assigned to either program. Once you're assigned you cannot change to the other program.

  3. You are committing to coming back for follow-up visits 6 months, 15 months, and 24 months after the program begins. The visits involve answering questions, a blood draw, physical measures, and wearing an activity monitor for seven days. It is really important that everyone who signs up comes back for their follow-up visits so we can properly answer which program works best.

  4. All program materials are free and a copy of your lab results will be provided to you. ​​​

About Metabolic Syndrome
The ELM Trial
Lifestyle Resources
Contact Us
Lead Research Institution

Rush University Medical Center
1700 W. Van Buren St. Suite 470
Chicago, IL 60612

Participating Research Institution

University of Colorado Denver
12348 E Montview Blvd.
Aurora, CO 80045

Geisinger Health System
675 Baltimore Drive
Wilkes Barre, PA 18711

Rochester Institute of Technology
180 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623

UMKC School of Medicine
2411 Holmes Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64108

© RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER