There are several research projects being conducted by our research team. Although most studies are not available to the general public, you can contact us at (313)577-2773, or email us at healthlab@wayne.edu for more information.
Study of Headaches and Relaxation and Emotional Skills
In this project, we are evaluating two different treatments for individuals with chronic headaches. Both treatments are done through three group sessions. One focuses on teaching relaxation skills and the other focuses on teaching participants how to identify and express their emotions. Relaxation skills are a commonly used treatment for chronic pain; for this study, we have developed a novel treatment based in emotional awareness and assertiveness skills. We hope to investigate the effects of this treatment as compared to the standard relaxation treatment, as well as a no-treatment control. We will determine which of these treatments might be better at decreasing the frequency and severity of chronic headaches, and which of these treatments might work better for individuals with certain personality characteristics or traits. Olga Slavin-Spenny and Elyse Sklar are directing this study, and Dana Nevedal is helping with data collection.
Substance Abuse and Pain
This project is examining predictors of prescription and substance misuse among patients attending a chronic pain clinic, and simultaneously test methods of data collection for obtaining disclosures of substance abuse and trauma history.All participants are being recruited from a local chronic pain clinic for a single session in which they are either interviewed or asked to complete paperwork regarding their emotional styles, their personality, history of trauma, and substance misuse.The theoretical question is whether emotion regulation factors predict substance misuse beyond the effect of more straightforward or routinely obtained variables.We have developed an innovative, interpersonal method to try and improve disclosure. This method was developed based on the facilitation model from the Methods of Disclosure study (described in the “Recent Research” section below). This is Lindsay Oberleitner’s dissertation, and Kathryn Zumberg and Amy Loree are helping with data collection.
Evaluating a Novel Chronic Pain Treatment Program
In this project, we are evaluating a novel, emotion and insight-oriented treatment program for patients with chronic pain.We are collaborating with Howard Schubiner, M.D., an Internal Medicine physician at Providence Hospital (Southfield, MI) who has developed and conducts a group-based intervention for patients with pain problems that are influenced by stress and emotions (e.g., low back pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, etc.).Dr. Schubiner evaluates referred patients and enrolls them into his program, and we are conducting independent patient evaluations before and after the program, and at 3-and 6-month follow-ups.We will determine the overall effects of the program, who benefits, and which components of the program are most important.We also are experimentally testing the effects of an innovative therapeutic assessment procedure—an interpersonal, emotional communication exercise—on patients at pre-treatment.This study is Amanda Burger’s dissertation, and Maren Hyde, Alaa Hijazi, Elyse Sklar and Jen Carty are collaborating on the study as well.
Internet Writing for Stress Management
Our prior studies have found that written emotional disclosure has benefits, but they are rather weak.Therefore, we are testing ways to strengthen the effect, particularly by engaging a therapist in the process.In this study, we are recruiting college students who have had unresolved stressful experiences, and comparing four approaches to writing on a secure web-based platform.Participants write for 3 days in the laboratory about time management or about stressful experiences, which can be done without writing feedback, with therapist-provided feedback, or in an instant messaging format with a therapist.Assessments are conducted at baseline and 6 weeks after writing.This is Jon Beyer’s dissertation, Alison Radcliffe helped design the software and is collaborating on the study, and Lindsay Oberleitner is collaborating as well.
Recent Research Studies (closed to enrollment)
Pain and Stress Management for Rheumatoid Arthritis
This 5 year randomized clinical trial (through 2010) which is funded to Wayne State University by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, is a large venture being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Frank Keefe at Duke University Medical Center. In this randomized trial, we are testing whether writing about stress or health behaviors and receiving training in coping skills or arthritis education affects the health of people with rheumatoid arthritis. By combining each technique, we hope to find greater results with which the health and the quality of life is improved and the stress is reduced. In addition, we are testing individual difference variables as moderators of the effects of these interventions.
Migraine Headache Web-based Writing Study
In this project, undergraduates with migraine headaches write for four sessions on a secure website about stress or time management. Some of the stress writers are given feedback about their writing in order to help them write more effectively. Participants are followed-up over several months to see the changes of headache activity. Rebecca Stout and Amanda Burger are directing this study.
Methods of Disclosure Study
This study examines various ways to help people share private stressful experiences. We are testing traditional expressive writing, private talking, talking to a guide and guide –facilitated disclosure. Disclosure takes place during one session, and the immediate and 1-month effects are being tracked. Lindsay Oberleitner and Olga Slavin are directing this study.
Stress Management for International Students
This study is a randomized test of the effects of written emotional disclosure for 3 days, a 2-session assertiveness training course, their combination, and a wait-list control. This study is for international students here at Wayne State because the stress of adjusting not only to a new university but also new culture and separation from home can be very challenging. Shedeh Tavakoli-Moayed and Alaa Hijazi are directing this study and Olga Slavin is contributing as well.
Current Grants
Co-investigator. NIH R34 MH086943: "Imagery-based Trauma-Resiliency Training for Urban Police." National Institute of Mental Health, 8/2009 - 5/2012; Total direct costs: $679,718. (B. Arnetz, PI).
Principal Investigator. NIH R01 AR049059: “Disclosure and skills training for rheumatoid arthritis.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, 8/2004 – 5/2010; Total direct costs: $ 2.2 million.
Principal Investigator NIH R01 AG009203: "Cognitive and emotional maturity in adulthood and aging." National Institute of Aging , 9/2004 – 8/2009; Total costs: $1.35million. (Note: Was co-investigator through 2005; I became PI in 2006 when original PI, Gisela Labouvie-Vief, left Wayne State for the University of Geneva).
Co-investigator. “Center for African American Urban Health.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 9/2003 – 9/2008. Total costs: > $5 million. (John Flack, PI).
Principal Investigator. “Minority Supplement Award to accompany R01 AR049059: “Disclosure and skills training for rheumatoid arthritis.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, 8/2004 – 5/2007; Total direct costs: $ 88,174.
Principal Investigator. "The Effects of Emotional Coping on Adjustment in Rheumatoid Arthritis." Arthritis Foundation, 7/1998 - 6/2003; Total costs: $400,000.
