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Research

 

PD picMindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Parkinson's Disease Patients and Caregivers (Salmon, PI; Jablonski, Project Director)

Working in collaboration with the University of Louisville Movement Disorder Clinic, we are conducting a pilot study of the impact of Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on Parkinson’s patients and their primary caregivers.  Variables examined in this study include immune function, salivary cortisol, psychophysiological functioning, disease-relevant movement and balance measures, and self-reported physical and psychological functioning. 


Katrina picBiopsychosocial Responses in Children after Disasters (Sephton, PI; Martin, Project Director)

The Biopsychosocial Responses in Children After a Disaster is a study designed to evaluate children and parents who have relocated because of a natural disaster: 1) The impact of risk and protective factors on psychological and physiological stress responses, functional, developmental, and health outcomes, 2) associations between psychological distress and endocrine stress responses, and 3) effects of stress responses on functional, developmental and health outcomes.

 

SD wildfirePsychological and Biological Stress Pathways and the Role of Protective Factors in Individuals Impacted by Disaster (Weissbecker, PI; Sephton, Co-I; Lush, Project Director)

Assesses psychological and biological responses in individuals experiencing evacuation during the October 2007 San Diego county wild fires. (Funded by the National Science Foundation Quick Response grant, University of Colorado Boulder Natural Hazards Center).

 

BrCa tumorPsychological Distress and Immune Disruption in Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast (Dhabhar, PI; Sephton, Co-I; Lush, Project Director)

Examines the associations of proinflammatory immune markers in the systemic circulation with distress and circadian disruption in a sample of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, and examines the relationship between whole blood activation induced immunoprotective T helper (Th)-1 versus pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and Th-2 cytokine responses with distress and circadian disruption. (Funded by the Stanford Cancer Center Developmental Cancer Research Award in Translational Science).


BrCa picStress, Coping, and Sleep in Breast Cancer (Sephton, PI; Dedert/Lush, Project Directors)

The impact of psychological stress and coping mechanisms on measures of physiological stability (circadian endocrine and rest-activity rhythms) will be explored among women scheduled for breast cancer surgery (funded by the University of Louisville Intramural Research Grants, Research on Women).

 

 

 

 

LungCa picPsychosocial Effects in Lung Cancer Outcomes (Sephton, PI; Salmon, Co-I; Dedert, Project Director)

This project characterized in a group of 56 lung cancer patients the relationships of psychological stress, well being, coping resources and support with disease outcomes (quality of life, functional status, and survival) and potential endocrine and immune mediators of these effects (funded by the Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Board).

 

Stress & CR picStress and Circadian Disruption in Chemoresistance (Sephton, PI; Floyd, Project Director)

This study will examine effects of psychological distress and disruption of endocrine and sleep-wake rhythms on tumor response to chemotherapy in 30 stage II-III breast cancer patients (funded by a James Graham Brown Cancer Center Pilot Project Grant).

 

 

OvarianCa picEffects of Stress in Ovarian Cancer Outcomes (Sephton, PI; Weissbecker, Project Director)

This study examines the impact of life events and psychological distress on several physiological indicators of stress referred to as allostatic load, on medical outcomes and quality of life in women with endometrial and ovarian cancer.

 

Meditation picEffects of a Meditation Program on Disease Symptoms in Women with Fibromyalgia (Sephton, PI; Salmon, Co-I; Weissbecker, Project Director)

This randomized prospective trial assessed the effects of a meditation based stress-reduction (MBSR) intervention on illness symptoms, cognitive function, sleep, neuroendocrine function and evoked potential brain responses in women with fibromyalgia. (funded by a University of Louisville Intramural Research Incentive Grants for Research on Women).

 

VEF picVascular Endothelial Function: Assessment and Modification (Olive, PI; Salmon Co-I; Sephton, Co-I)

The purpose of this study is to assess patterns of blood vessel health (vascular endothelial function) and hormone responses to stress and anxiety, and to determine effects of a stress-reduction program including yoga and meditation has a beneficial effects on persons who are either at risk or have known cardiovascular disease (funded by a University of Louisville Intramural Research Grants, Multidisciplinary Research Grant).

 
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