Phone
(608) 262-9636Office Location
K6/100 Clinical Science Center
600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792
Dr. Voils completed her MS and PhD in Experimental Social Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on identifying behavioral strategies to promote treatment adherence. One line of research focuses on promoting adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Voils was previously the Principal Investigator (PI) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of a partner-assisted intervention for cholesterol management (CouPLES), a patient-oriented weight loss maintenance intervention (MAINTAIN), and a partner-assisted intervention for weight loss (Partner2Lose). She is currently PI of the Log2Lose trial.
A second line of research focuses on incorporating genomic/genetic information in healthcare delivery. Previously Dr. Voils was the PI of RCTs to evaluate the clinical utility of genetic testing for diabetes and of a family history platform to promote risk-concordant colorectal cancer screening. She is currently the PI of an evaluation of PHASER, a Veterans Affairs clinical program providing pharmacogenomic testing to veterans.
In addition to developing interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Voils created a self-report measure of medication nonadherence. To learn more, click here.
Outside of work, Dr. Voils enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her family. She is also a cellist in the Middleton Community Orchestra.
- A non-randomized comparison of engagement and outcomes for in-person versus virtual delivery of the Partner2Lose weight management trial.
Carpenter SM, Shetty A, Hetzel SJ, Garza K, Porter LS, Gray KE, Shaw RJ, Lewis MA, Mao L, Pabich S, Johnson HM, Yancy WS, Elwert F, Voils CI
Obes Sci Pract 2024 Aug; 10(4): e778
[PubMed ID: 39045420] - Outcomes from Partner2Lose: a randomized controlled trial to evaluate 24-month weight loss in a partner-assisted intervention.
Voils CI, Shaw RJ, Gavin KL, Hetzel SJ, Lewis MA, Pabich S, Johnson HM, Elwert F, Mao L, Gray KE, Yuroff A, Garza K, Yancy WS, Porter LS
BMC Public Health 2024 Jul 20; 24(1): 1948
[PubMed ID: 39033273] - Association of Caregiving Receipt With Mental Health Utilization in a National Cohort of Older Adults.
Wyman MF, Jacobs J, Stalter L, Venkatesh M, Voils CI, Trivedi RB, Gleason CE, Byers AL
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024 Jul 03;
[PubMed ID: 39030145] - The TOTAL trial for weight management participation: A randomized controlled trial protocol.
Funk LM, Williams CB, Breuer CR, Hetzel S, LaSage SC, Villasenor CJ, Moin T, Cook J, Sampene E, Stroupe KT, Alagoz E, Raffa SD, Voils CI
Contemp Clin Trials 2024 Sep; 144: 107611
[PubMed ID: 38914310] - Making Choices: A Multi-institutional, Longitudinal Cohort Study Assessing Changes in Treatment Outcome Valuation for Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer.
Antunez AG, Sinco BR, Saucke MC, Bushaw KJ, Jensen CB, Dream S, Fingeret AL, Livhits MJ, Mathur A, McDow A, Roman SA, Voils CI, Sydnor J, Pitt SC, CHOiCE Collaborative (Comparing Health Outcomes in Cancer Experience)
Ann Surg 2024 May 20;
[PubMed ID: 38766877]
Ongoing Studies
- Incentivizing Behavior Change Skills to Promote Weight Loss
Background
Two-thirds of the United States population is now classified as obese or overweight. Despite the existence of effective behavioral weight loss interventions, many people do not adhere to them, and even people who lose significant weight regain it in the year following intervention. Novel methods are needed to improve adherence to effective weight loss interventions and promote long-term weight loss maintenance. One promising strategy is reinforcement via financial incentives. Positive reinforcement with variable-ratio schedules has received theoretical and empirical support in various behavioral domains. However, the few studies testing this type of strategy for weight loss have been largely ineffective. A key issue is whether incentives should be provided for process (e.g., dietary self-monitoring) or outcome (weight loss). Incenting dietary self-monitoring and weight loss may be more effective than incenting either alone. In previous studies, patients had to attend in-person sessions to turn in self-monitoring records and be weighed, so self-monitoring and interim weight loss were confounded with attendance. To deliver incentives in real-time for dietary self-monitoring and interim weight loss alone, data collection and processing must be automated.
Objectives
We will develop an innovative information technology (IT) solution that will collate dietary self-monitoring data (input by patients via a mobile phone dietary application) and weight loss data (input by patients via remote scale). An algorithm will classify participants as achieving adequate or inadequate dietary self-monitoring and weight loss to earn intermittent rewards of varying value in real-time. Specific aims are: (1) Determine feasibility and acceptability of using automated algorithms that analyze dietary self-monitoring and interim weight loss data to provide real-time reinforcement using variable-ratio incentives; (2) Evaluate the effectiveness of various recruitment methods and describe recruitment, intervention adherence, and outcome assessment adherence rates; (3) Estimate cost of delivering the intervention and cost to patients.
Methods
In this study, obese community outpatients will participate in an effective, 24-week weight loss program delivered via biweekly group classes. Participants will be randomized to receive incentives for self-monitoring (yes vs. no) and/or interim weight loss (yes vs. no). We will calculate recruitment, retention, and intervention adherence rates as well as weight at weeks 0 and 24. This project will provide the foundation for a comprehensive effectiveness trial to test the impact of incenting dietary self-monitoring and interim weight loss on short- and longer-term weight outcomes while incentives are delivered and once they are withdrawn.
- Collaborate2Lose: Collaborating with romantic and non-romantic support persons to improve long-term weight loss
Background
Over 40% of Veterans have obesity, a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases. Weight loss interventions produce clinically significant weight loss, yet weight regain commonly occurs due to declining adherence to lifestyle changes. These changes are often substantially influenced by others in the home. Thus, involving both Veterans and a cohabiting support person in weight management efforts could improve long-term weight loss. The goal of the proposed trial is to evaluate the efficacy of involving romantic and non-romantic support persons in weight management efforts to sustain long-term weight loss in Veterans.
Significance
This study will contribute to our long-term goal of implementing effective approaches to reduce obesity and associated comorbidities among Veterans. This proposal addresses Health Services Research & Development priorities of access, primary care practice, and virtual care and Office of Research & Development priority of providing Veterans with access to high-quality clinical trials. The importance of identifying efficacious strategies for weight loss maintenance was highlighted in a 2016 State-of-the-Art conference on weight management.
Innovation
We will substantially enhance prior work and the MOVE! program offered through the VA by 1) teaching Veterans and their support persons to apply communication and support skills to support Veteran weight management and 2) focusing on long-term weight loss.
Specific Aims
Aim 1: Compare effects of patient-only and partner-assisted interventions on long-term weight loss (primary outcome) and obesity-specific quality of life (secondary outcome). Our primary hypothesis is that average weight loss from baseline among Veterans will be at least 3 percentage points greater, a clinically meaningful difference, in the partner-assisted arm than the patient-only arm at 72 weeks.
Aim 2: Evaluate the extent to which early intervention effects are mediated by changes in interdependence theory constructs (transformation of motivation, couple efficacy, outcome expectancy, and social support).
Aim 3: Evaluate implementation outcomes of appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility among MOVE! Coordinators via validated surveys and qualitative interviews, and evaluate treatment receipt and enactment among a subset of participating Veterans and support persons via qualitative interviews.
Methodology
This is a two-arm randomized trial. Participants: Dyads comprising a Veteran with obesity and a cohabiting adult support person. Intervention: Index patients will participate in a group-based weight management program using the Veterans Affairs (VA) national MOVE! weight management curriculum and delivered using the VA virtual technology platform, VA Video Connect. Support persons will join the sessions, and dyads will learn and practice communication skills. Comparison: Veterans will participate in the weight management program without a support person. Outcomes: The primary outcome is percent weight loss from baseline. Time: The intervention is 72 weeks in duration. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and every 24 weeks, with 72 weeks as the primary endpoint.
Implementation
We will assess MOVE! coordinator perceptions of intervention appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility and Veteran treatment receipt and enactment in Aim 3. Armed with this information, we will be poised to study implementation in the future. The materials developed in this study could be disseminated and implemented as an optional module by MOVE! Coordinators.