RCMBR Pilot Projects

Human aging and health studies

The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Health and Well-Being

Investigators: Paul Duberstein, PhD (PI), Andrew Goodman, MD, Jamison Hirsch, PhD, Raluca Topciu, MS, and Elizabeth Wahlig, PhD.

Purpose of the study: the purpose of this study is to investigate how personality variables and stress relate to the disease activity and physical and cognitive function in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Personality, Stress, and Health in Primary Care: Influence of Age

Investigators: Paul Duberstein, PhD (PI), Nancy Talbot, PhD, Benjamin Chapman, PhD, Joanne McGriff, MD, MPH, Lisa Boyle, MD, Jenny Speice, PhD, Nathan Franus, MS, Mary Harper, BA, Jeffrey Lyness, MD, Jan Moynihan, PhD, and Ronald Epstein, MD.

Purpose of the study: this cross sectional study will examine the extent to which stress and personality affect health in a middle-aged and older primary care population, and whether these relationships are moderated by age.

Health Outcomes in Chronic Dermatologic Conditions (Psoriasis, Eczema, and Atopic Dermatitis): The Role of Psychological Factors in Well-Being, Functioning, and Clinical Status

Investigators: Elizabeth Wahlig, PhD (PI), Francisco Tausk, (Co-PI) MD, Paul Duberstein, PhD, and Deborra James, RN-CCRC.

Purpose of the study: we will examine the effects of psychological factors on clinical status, well-being, and functioning in patients with chronic dermatologic conditions. We will be testing the hypothesis that psychological factors can moderate disease activity, quality of life, and disability. We will also be examining the relationships among clinical status, well-being, and functioning as mediated by perceived stress, cognitive beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes, and personality.

Psychosocial influences on the immune response to A/H5N1 influenza vaccine in healthy older adults

Investigators: Jan A. Moynihan, PhD (PI), Paul Duberstein, PhD, Ben Chapman, PhD, Nathan Franus MS, Nancy Talbot, PhD, Jameson Hirsch, PhD, Stefan Costescu, MD, John J. Treanor, MD, and Diane O’Brien, RN.

Purpose of the study: we will examine the relationships among age, psychosocial characteristics, psychological states, and immune response in older adults who are vaccinated with A/H5N1 influenza vaccine. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that psychosocial factors, including stress and social support, influence the rate of decline of antibody titers to the A/H5N1 influenza vaccine in healthy elderly adults.

CBT For Co-Morbid Insomnia and Chronic Pain: Sleep, Pain And Immune Function Outcomes

Investigators: Wilfred Pigeon, PhD (PI), Sara Matteson, PsyD, Michael Perlis, PhD, Robert Dworkin, PhD, and Jan Moynihan, PhD

Purpose of the study: our primary goal is to assess the extent to which three forms of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT for insomnia [CBT-I], CBT for pain [CBT-P], and Combined CBT-I and CBT-P) diminishes insomnia symptoms in patients with chronic pain compared to a monitor only wait list control condition. This will be evaluated in a randomized, four arm parallel trial with pre-post and follow-up evaluations using standard sleep diary measures of sleep continuity.

Characterization of Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Pilot to Identify Need for Psychological and Palliative Care Intervention

Investigators: Jan Moynihan, PhD, Tim Quill, MD, Paul Duberstein, PhD, and Melissa Schiff, MD

Purpose of the study: the objective of this study is to characterize patients being treated for end stage renal disease by hemodialysis at the New York Dialysis Services (NYDS) clinic at the Clinton Crossing Medical Campus with respect to levels of psychological distress, symptomatic distress, and functional status on the one hand, and physical and immunological well-being on the other. This information will provide pilot data for a larger, randomized controlled trial of a palliative care intervention.

Palliative Care Consultation for Patients Undergoing Dialysis

Investigators: Jan Moynihan, PhD, Tim Quill, MD, Nancy Talbot, PhD, Silvia Sörensen, PhD, Ann Russ, PhD, Geoffrey Williams, MD, PhD, and Paul Duberstein, PhD

Purpose of the study: the objective of this study is to examine the feasibility and benefits of providing Palliative Care Consultation (PCC) for patients being treated for end stage renal disease (ESRD) by hemodialysis at the New York Dialysis Services (NYDS) clinics at Clinton Crossings Medical Campus and at Brighton. Outcome measures will include, on one hand, levels of psychological and symptomatic distress, functional status, treatment self-regulation, and perceived social and decision support; and on the other, physical and immunological well-being. Information gathered will provide pilot data for a larger, randomized controlled trial of Palliative Care Consultation for renal hemodialysis patients.

Mindfulness to Improve Psoriasis

Investigators: Scott McDonald, MD, Jan Moynihan, PhD, Francisco Tausk, MD, and

Christopher Ritchlin, MD

Purpose of the study: the proposed study will examine the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for disease processes in patients with psoriasis. The research will focus both on clinical measures of the disease state and overall well-being.

Characterization of Patients Undergoing Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Heart Transplantation: A Pilot to Identify Need for Intervention

Investigators: Paul R. Duberstein, PhD, Ann Russ, PhD, Nancy Talbot, PhD, Jan Moynihan, PhD, Mark Nickels, MD, Xin Tu, PhD, and Leway Chen, MD.

Purpose of the study: the objective of this study is to identify the need for psychological and social interventions among patients undergoing heart transplantation or receiving ventricular assist device implantation at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH), Department of Heart Failure and Transplantation (DHFT). The data gathered will establish the need for a randomized controlled trial.

Social Participation, Health, and Well-Being Across Adulthood

Investigators: Harry Reis, PhD, and Cheryl Carmichael, MS

Purpose of the study: the purpose of the current proposal is to adopt a life-span approach to the study of social relationships and health, and examine whether social relationships in college and early adulthood are predictive of mid-life social and emotional well-being and biological health.

Role of Inflammatory Markers on Cognitive Dysfunction in Heart Failure

Investigators: Leway Chen, MD, Ponrathi Athilingam, PhD, Paul Duberstein, PhD, Kathleen King, MD, Jan Moynihan, PhD, and John Teeters, MD.

Purpose of the study: the specific aim of this study is to examine the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral perfusion and cognitive measures in HF.

Animal studies

*Differential Housing, Metabolic Dysregulation and Heart Failure Progression

Investigators: William Stanley, PhD, Biao Lei, PhD, and Robert Ader, PhD.

Purpose of the study: specific aims of this pilot study are to determine the effects of different housing conditions on heart failure progression in an established post-infarct heart failure model, determine the effects of different housing conditions on weight gain and metabolic processes relevant to heart failure progression, and to document that metabolic dysregulation following the housing manipulation mediates the extent of heart failure progression.

*study conducted via subcontract with the University of Maryland Medical Center