Sleep problems in adolescents are commonly associated with bedtime media use due to subsequent psychological and cognitive arousal. The purpose of Sleepazoid is to better understand the impact of mind-body interventions on mitigating the effects of media use on sleep in adolescents. Participants virtually attended assessment visits and played pre-selected mobile video games while we conducted arousal level measurements during varied time intervals. We conducted assessment visits at baseline and follow-up to establish arousal levels through Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Electrodermal Activity (EDA) at rest, and during the gameplay and recovery phases. The Actiheart device measures HRV through heart rhythms and variability in time between each individual heartbeat while the Empatica E4 Wristband measures EDA through the degree to which skin conducts electricity. We monitored the participants during the various phases and tracked their activity for media-induced arousal task compliance. After the remote assessment visit, participants continued to track media use, sleep, and their arousal responses on designated study nights. The pandemic necessitated major protocol changes such as mailing the measurement devices, remotely downloading games, and conducting Microsoft Teams sessions in comparison to the original in-person design. This created barriers such as unstable internet connection and improper camera positioning which hindered our ability to obtain reliable data during assessment tracking. Despite the challenges of implementing virtual assessments, it is possible to transition a psychophysiological experimental protocol to remote administration by revising participant instructions, introducing instructional videos for visual reference, and ensuring a more robust protocol with closer collaboration with the participants. Ultimately, state arousal levels are predicted to return more quickly to baseline in the mind-body intervention group (e.g: bedtime yoga, breathing exercises) during follow-up assessments, during and after ceasing evening media use, and at bed time in comparison to the control group.

COVID-19 is found to have higher contraction rates and worse outcomes for those in racial and ethnic minority groups. Additionally, the pandemic presents significant and costly disruptions to social service and health care systems. These disruptions present not only a mortality risk but grave health and economic risks for older adults. The purpose of this study is to document the barriers and best practices in mitigating the health disparities that racial and ethnic minority groups experience. I conducted a secondary analysis to ask, “What are the unique barriers to social and health service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic that have affected organizations in Washington State serving predominantly racial and ethnic minorities, clients with low socioeconomic status, and those living in rural areas? I used survey and qualitative semi-structured interview data collected from 40 senior leaders of health and social services organizations in Western, Central, and Eastern Washington, whose primary client and patient population is low-income, marginalized older adults, and those with dementia. I identified themes within each organization and how they differ depending on their predominant client population (e.g. mostly White clients vs. mostly non-White clients). This study’s anticipated results are that older adults from historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities are at higher risk of lower health care services and outcomes and that race and ethnicity play a pivotal role in determining when care is accessible. By adopting a Participatory Action Research model, I can inform and educate society on the barriers these organizations face to providing equitable care to elders and use my findings to create a community-based action plan that responds to these challenges and keeps our older adults safe and healthy.