Work

The Temporal Investigation of Multimodal Elements (TIME) Study: protocol for an observational, longitudinal study to characterize the dynamic structure of molecular and digital data in older adults in stable health

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Biological systems exhibit dynamic patterns over multiple temporal scales-from minutes to months-that are poorly captured by conventional cross-sectional or low-frequency longitudinal studies. These patterns, including diurnal variations and underlying continuous rhythms, may be critical determinants of health, resilience, and disease risk in aging. Existing longitudinal studies in older adults lack high-frequency, multimodal measurements that integrate molecular, physiological, and digital health data streams. Objectives: The TIME Study aims to: (i) Characterize temporal patterns in molecular, physiological, and digital health measures in healthy older adults; (ii) determine how these patterns vary across biological domains and relate to each other; and (iii) assess how physiological systems respond to defined perturbations (oral glucose tolerance and maximal exercise). Methods: TIME is a single-site, observational, longitudinal study enrolling up to 150 adults aged ≥55 years. Over an 11-week main phase, participants complete seven weekly low-frequency visits, two perturbation challenge visits, and two, two-day high-frequency sampling epochs. Biospecimens, clinical measures, cognitive and physical performance tests, and continuous digital health data are collected. Follow-up visits occur at 6 and 12 months. Expected impact: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07107386, identifier NCT07107386.

Source: Frontiers in Digital Health

DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1881042