Current projects
Ongoing research and intervention work in the lab.
Do you use a wearable device to track your health?
UCLA research study led by Dr. Dante Anthony Tolentino (Principal Investigator), funded by the UCLA School of Nursing Intramural Grant.
We want to hear about your experience with wearable health devices, or from someone 55 or older who uses one. You may be eligible if you:
- Are 55 or older and live in the U.S.
- Understand and speak English
- Have two or more chronic conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep issues)
- Own or have used a wearable in the past 5 years (Oura, Fitbit, Apple Watch, Whoop, Garmin, etc.), or are willing to receive a free smartwatch for the study
Participation involves a short demographic survey and one 60 to 90 minute interview over Zoom. You will receive a $50 electronic gift card for completing the study.
Questions? Email tenjlab@sonnet.ucla.edu.
TenJ Lab projects
Auditing AI for diabetes self-management in South LA
A community-engaged audit of popular AI tools, testing whether they provide complete, guideline-based diabetes self-management advice for the communities South Los Angeles serves. Led by TenJ Lab doctoral student Paolo Roca, with Dr. Tolentino serving as community advisor on the research team.
Colonial mentality and health
Grounded in Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology), this study uses qualitative description to understand how the social, cultural, political, and historical meanings of colonial mentality shape Filipino Americans’ healthcare experiences.
Recruitment status: No longer recruiting. Thank you to everyone who took part.
Discrimination and allostatic load
This project examines how discrimination is associated with chronic physiological stress, measured by allostatic load, in people with type 2 diabetes, and whether socioeconomic resilience factors can buffer that association.
Technology-enabled self-management
Explores patient-centered digital health technologies such as wearables for older adults with multiple chronic conditions. The work describes their experiences (a qualitative descriptive study) and investigates habit-forming, positive health behaviors using a national dataset (HINTS).
Recruitment status: Now recruiting. Take part →
Associated work
- Paper (in preparation): Tolentino, D. A., Boy, P., & Matsuo, Y. Technology neutrality among older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Applied Clinical Informatics.
- Poster: Tolentino, D. A., Boy, P., & Matsuo, Y. (2026). Wearable use and health outcomes among older adults with chronic conditions. AMIA Amplify Clinical Informatics Conference, Denver, CO.
Interested in participating or collaborating?
We welcome community partners, collaborators, and prospective participants for future studies. Get in touch or email datolentino@sonnet.ucla.edu.