Kalpana P. Padala

Federal Grant PI High Impact

Associate Professor

UAMS

Also affiliated: Nebraska Medical Center (2006–2010); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2018–2026); Veterans Health Administration (2012); Institute for Urban and Regional Research (2016); Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (2012–2026); Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (2012–2026); Institut Jacques Monod (2025); University of Nebraska Medical Center (2006–2011); Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (2020)

Faculty Researcher

Geriatrics, College of Medicine

23 h-index 84 pubs 1,679 cited

Research Areas

Biomedical Subjects

Links

ORCID Lab Website UAMS TRI Profile

OverviewAI-generated summary

Kalpana P. Padala's research focuses on interventions to improve physical activity and cognitive function in older adults, particularly veterans. She has investigated the feasibility and efficacy of using the Nintendo Wii-Fit system to enhance gait and balance, examining factors that influence exercise adherence in this population. Her current work, supported by an RR&D Merit grant, explores the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on executive function, exercise performance, self-efficacy, and adherence to Wii-Fit programs. The overarching goal is to improve balance components in sedentary older veterans by employing engaging home-based exercise programs.

Clinically, Padala evaluates patients in the multidisciplinary memory clinic at the VA and leads the Geriatric Walking Clinic, which she established in 2013. This clinic has served over 800 veterans and their caregivers, providing a setting for naturalistic observation and intervention. Her scholarly contributions include 84 publications with an h-index of 23 and 1,661 citations. Padala collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Research Overview

I have fifteen years of experience in conducting treatment trials in frail elderly. I have focused on alternate modalities to promote exercise in elderly. To overcome various barriers for exercise, I conducted a series of studies investigating the feasibility and efficacy of Nintendo Wii-Fit on gait, and balance in various settings funded by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Later I focused on exercise adherence and ways to improve the same. My current study funded by the RR&D Merit grant is studying the efficacy and lasting effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on executive function, exercise performance, self-efficacy and adherence to an adequately dosed, targeted Wii-Fit. The goal of the project is to improve various components of balance in sedentary older Veterans using engaging exercise programs in their home setting. Clinically, I evaluate patients in the multidisciplinary memory clinic at the VA. I also lead the comprehensive physical activity promotion clinic, The Geriatric Walking Clinic that I started in 2013. Over 800 Veterans and caregivers have participated in the program and the clinic provides us a naturalistic experiment to study the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on exercise adherence and executive function in older Veterans. Anecdotally, I see the impact of these restrictions on my clinic patients on a daily basis. I also see the struggles of older Veterans in transitioning to telehealth.

Metrics

h-index: 23
Publications: 84
Citations: 1,679

Selected Publications

Uncovering lipid biomarkers linked to methylphenidate efficacy in treating apathy in Alzheimer’s disease: insights from the ADMET 2 trial (2026)

Alzheimer s Research & Therapy DOI OpenAlex
Peripheral biomarkers associated with apathy and predicting response to methylphenidate: Secondary analysis of the Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET2) study (2026)

International Psychogeriatrics 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
Post COVID-19 waitlist reduction in a memory disorder clinic (2026)

Frontiers in Health Services 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
Uncovering Lipid Biomarkers Linked to Methylphenidate Efficacy in Treating Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from the ADMET 2 trial (2025)

Alzheimer s & Dementia DOI OpenAlex
The Pitfalls of Patient-Led AI Use: A Case Study in Clinical Neuropsychology (2025)

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Open Science Education and Practice DOI OpenAlex
The Relationship of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Cognitive Dysfunction and Functional Decline in Older Adults (2025)

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Open Science Education and Practice DOI OpenAlex
Escitalopram for agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia: a randomized controlled phase 3 trial (2025)

Nature Medicine 13 citations DOI OpenAlex
Refining MoCA Interpretation in An Outpatient Clinic Via Logistic Regression and Base Rate Adjustment: A Pilot Study (2025)

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Open Science Education and Practice DOI OpenAlex
Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia (2024)

Alzheimer s & Dementia 3 citations DOI OpenAlex
Correlation between changes in apathy and cognition in Alzheimer’s disease associated apathy: analysis of the Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET 2) (2024)

Alzheimer s & Dementia DOI OpenAlex
Correlation between changes in apathy and cognition in Alzheimer’s disease associated apathy: Analysis of the Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET 2) (2024)

International Psychogeriatrics 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
Measuring clinically relevant change in apathy symptoms in ADMET and ADMET 2 (2024)

International Psychogeriatrics 4 citations DOI OpenAlex
Doctor AI? A pilot study examining responses of artificial intelligence to common questions asked by geriatric patients (2024)

Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence 9 citations DOI OpenAlex
Adverse effects of methylphenidate for apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease (ADMET2 trial) (2024)

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 4 citations DOI OpenAlex
Psychiatrists’ Illustration of Awe in Empathic Listening Assessments: A Pilot Study (2024)

Cureus 1 citation DOI OpenAlex

View all publications on OpenAlex →

Federal Grants 1

VA Contact PI Apr 2019 - Jan 2025

Neuromodulation for Exercise Adherence in Older Veterans

Administered by Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System I01

Grants & Funding

As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.

DNA Methylation Markers Associated with Exposure and Adverse Health Outcomes in Veterans Exposed to Airborne Hazards from Open Burn Pits. Department of Defense Principal Investigator
Long-Term Nicotine Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment NIH Co-Investigator
COVID Impact on Physical Activity in Older Veterans Department of Veterans Affairs Principal Investigator
Immersive Virtual Reality for Apathy associated with Cognitive Impairment. VA ORD RRD – Diversity Supplement Co-Investigator
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study to assess the Efficacy and Safety of Ad26COVS1 for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 mediated COVID-19 in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V. Principal Investigator
Wii-Fit for balance and gait in elderly Veterans South Central VA Health Care Network Research Grants Principal Investigator
Wii-Fit for improving activity, gait and balance in Alzheimer’s Dementia Alzheimer's Association Principal Investigator
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Nitazoxanide (NTZ) for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 and Other Viral Respiratory Illnesses in Elderly Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) Romark Medical Research Institute Principal Investigator