Weatherproofing homes to protect sleep and thinking in older adults
Assessing the Neuropsychological Benefits of Weatherization Programs
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11318974
Looks at whether fixing home heating, cooling, and insulation helps older adults sleep better, worry less about bills, and keep their thinking sharp.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11318974 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would join a one-year program where researchers put small sensors in your home to track temperature and humidity and ask you to wear a sleep monitor (actigraphy). You will complete short surveys about sleep, financial worry, and cognitive tasks at several points during the year. The study compares people in low-cost weatherization programs in Detroit, higher-cost programs in Madison, and higher-cost programs in Memphis to see how indoor temperatures relate to sleep and thinking. Researchers will combine the sensor data, sleep recordings, and survey results to look for patterns over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults living in homes with poor temperature control who are eligible for low- or high-cost weatherization programs in Detroit, Madison, or Memphis are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who already have well-insulated homes with stable indoor temperatures, or who do not live in the study cities or are ineligible for the weatherization programs, may not see direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could show that home weatherization improves sleep, reduces financial stress, and supports cognitive health in older adults, informing programs that help vulnerable households.
How similar studies have performed: Prior weatherization studies have shown health and energy benefits such as fewer asthma-related emergency visits, but effects on sleep, short-term cognition, and financial worry are largely untested.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GRONLUND, CARINA — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: GRONLUND, CARINA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.