Clinical Articles

Dr Masley has published numerous articles in a variety of peer-reviewed medical journals. A sample is listed below.

EFFICACY OF LIFESTYLE CHANGES IN MODIFYING PRACTICAL MARKERS OF WELLNESS AND AGING. SC Masley, W Weaver, G Peri, S Phillips. Altern Ther Health Med. 2008;14(2):24-29. 

Abstract: Purpose • To determine the efficacy of asking people to add fiber, exercise, and stress management to their lifestyles to enhance markers of wellness and aging. Methods • A 10-week, randomized control study conducted in a wellness center in St Petersburg, Florida. Participants were adults aged 21 to 65 years who exercised fewer than 3 days per week. Fifty-six subjects were randomized to a control or an intervention group. Subjects followed a diet with >30 g of fiber and <16 g of saturated fat daily and were taught to reach 70% to 85% of their maximum heart rate 5 to 6 days per week and to perform strength training 3 days per week. They were also asked to participate in 10 to 20 minutes of stress management activities daily. The study was designed to determine changes in body composition, maximal rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max), total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (TC:HDL) ratio, and cognition. Results • Initial analyses with analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparing the intervention group to the control group showed significant improvements in TC:HDL (8.9% average; P=.02) and change in weight (2.3 kg average; P=.016). When the groups were compared, the improvements in cognitive flexibility and VO2 max with ANOVA were not significant (P=.17 and P=.11, respectively). Additional independent t tests showed decreases in TC:HDL of 8.9% (P=.02) and TC of 7.3% (P=.001) for the intervention group compared to the control group. A mean increase of 29% in VO2 max of intervention subjects who exercised aerobically for at least 30 minutes 5 days/week was significant (P=.02) compared to the control group. Over the 10 weeks, the control group showed no signifi cant change in lipids, body composition, cognition, and fitness, whereas the intervention group showed decreased body mass index (BMI) of 0.72 (P=.02), weight loss of 2.3 kg (P=.016), and decreased body fat of 1.6% (P<.0001). In the intervention group, those with a BMI >24 who exercised 5 to 6 days/week lost 4.8 kg and 4.1 kg in body fat. Also, in the intervention group, several of the cognitive scores showed statistically significant improvements from baseline: mental speed (4.6%, P=.014), reaction time (4.5%, P=.023), and cognitive flexibility (11.7%, P=.019), but none of these cognitive changes was significant with independent t testing when compared to the control group. Conclusions • A diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat combined with strength training, aerobic activity, and stress management activities improves fitness and several markers of wellness and aging.

Masley SC, Roetzheim R, Gualtieri T. Aerobic Exercise Enhances Cognitive Flexibility. The Journal of Clinical Psychology 2009;16:186-93.

Abstract: Introduction: Physical activity is believed to prevent cognitive decline and may enhance frontal lobe activity. Methods: Subjects were 91 healthy adults enrolled in a wellness center. Over a 10-week intervention, controls were aerobically active 0-2 days per week. Half the intervention group was active 3-4 days/week and half 5-7 days/week. Outcome measures included memory, mental speed, reaction time, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Results: Neurocognitive data were analyzed by repeated measures comparing minimal aerobic exercise (the control group) to moderate aerobic exercise (3-4 days/week), and to high aerobic exercise (5-7 days/week). Initial analyses noted significant improvements in mental speed (p=0.03), attention (p=0.047), and cognitive flexibility (p=0.002). After controlling for age, gender, education years, and changes in psychomotor speed, only cognitive flexibility still showed significant improvements (p=0.02). Conclusion: Over a 10-week period, increasing frequency of aerobic activity is associated with
enhanced cognitive performance, in particular cognitive flexibility, a measure of executive function.

Other publications:

1. Evans C, White R, (Chapter 16-Measuring Physical Fitness, Masley SC), et al., Exercise Testing for Primary Care and Sports Medicine, New York, Springer, 2009.
2. Theobold M, Masley SC. A Guide to Group Visits for Chronic Condition Affected by Overweight and Obesity. American Academy of Family Physicians, Americans in Motion (AIM) Monograph, 2008.
3. Masley SC. Top Five Nutritional Deficiencies, and How to Correct Them. Cortlandt Forum, October/November 2008 Issue.
4. Theobald M, Masley SC. A guide to tobacco cessation group visits. Ask and Act, a tobacco cessation program. American Academy of Family Physicians Monograph, 2007.
5. Masley SC, Phillips S, Schocken D. Blood Pressure as a Predictor of CVD Events in the Elderly: The William E Hale Research Program. Journal of Human Hypertension; March 16, 2006.
6. Kolasa, K, et al (includes Masley SC). Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Group on Nutrition, Physician’s Curriculum: Clinical Nutrition in Primary Care. Second Edition. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, June, 2005.
7. Masley SC, Copeland JR, Phillips S. The D.I.E.T. Study (Dietary Intervention and Evaluation Trial), Group Office Visits Change Dietary Habits of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease, JFP, 2001;50.
8. Masley SC, Sokoloff J, Hawes C. Planning Group Visits for High-Risk Cohorts. FPM;2000:33-37.
9. Masley SC. Enhancing Dietary Adherence, Sept. 1998 issue of The Permanente Forum.
10. Masley SC. Dietary Therapy for Preventing and Treating Coronary Artery Disease. American Family Physician 1998;57:1299-1306.
11. Masley SC. Improving Dietary Compliance, How Can We Do A Better Job? Group Health Forum, October Issue, 1996.
12. Masley SC, Weiss B. Malaria, Prevention and Treatment. The cover article for the American Family Physician 1988;38:109-18.

1. Masley SC. Group Visits for Chronic Illness Care. Family Practice Management 2006;13:21-22. (letter)
2. Masley SC, Weaver W, Peri G, Phillips S. High-fiber, low-saturated fat diet combined with exercise enhances VO₂max and lipid profiles. Circulation 2006;113:e380 (abstract). Presented at the AHA Epi Meeting March 2006.
3. Masley SC, Weaver W, Phillips S, Peri G. Impact of a exercise and dietary program on weight loss. Journal American College of Nutrition 2005;24:431. Presented at the American College of Nutrition Mtg, Sept 2005. (abstract)
4. Van Sant Crowle C, Phillips S, Masley SC. Efficacy of a high-fiber, low-fat diet and exercise for the Metabolic Syndrome. Presented at the American Academy of Family Physician Scientific and WONCA Meeting, October 2003

1. 3. Masley SC, Beck B, Kenney J, Barnard J. Efficacy of a low-fat, high-fiber diet with exercise in 9-16 year olds. Poster Abstract, Florida Academy of Family Physician Meeting, November 2003
2. 4. Masley SC, Phillips S, Schocken D. Blood Pressure and Change in Blood Pressure as Predictors of CVD in the Elderly. Abstract Presentation, XV Scientific Meeting of the Inter-American Society of Hypertension; April 27-30, 2003. San Antonio, Texas.
3. 5. Montealegre M, Phillips S, Masley SC. Lifestyle Factors that Predict Sustained Blood Pressure Reduction and Weight Loss. Poster Abstract, XV Scientific Meeting of the Inter-American Society of Hypertension; April 27-30, 2003. San Antonio, Texas.
4. 6. Masley SC, Novick J, Kenney, J. JAMA 2003; (letter)
5. 7. Masley SC. Group-visit consent forms. FPM 2003 Feb
6. 8. Masley SC, Phillips S, Schocken D. BMI as a Predictor of CVD Events. Circulation, November 2002, Abstract