RCMBR Pilot Projects

The Mind-Body Seed grant program will provide financial support to facilitate an applicant's ability to garner extramural funding to conduct research that is consistent with the basic premises, principles and themes of the RCMBR.  Please click here to view the most recent announcement regarding eligibility and application instructions for seed grant funds. Below is a brief description of our current pilot projects.

Apply for RCMBR Seed/Grant Funds here

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.

Depression and Quality of Life Outcomes in Severe Heart Failure

Investigators: Jeffrey Lyness, MD, (PI), Jan Moynihan, PhD, Paul Duberstein, PhD, (co-PIs), John Bisognano, MD, PhD, Leway Chen, MD, MPH, Chang-Seng Liang, MD (Investigators)

Purpose of the study

This study will characterize the depressive conditions seen in patients with severe heart failure (HF), and determine their relationships with crucial quality of life (QoL) outcomes along with those of other specified predictors or moderators.

Stress and Well-being in Medical School

Investigators: Jan Moynihan, PhD (PI), Kirk Warren Brown, PhD (Co-PI) Michael Krasner, MD, and Ronald Epstein, MD

Purpose of the study

In this project, we will examine the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on both objective and subjective indicators of psychological, social and physical well-being in first-year University of Rochester medical students.

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

In the proposed 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.