Active Studies

Principal Investigator: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Co-Investigator & Study Manager: Ryan Mace, PhD
Study Clinicians: Dumichel Harley, PhD; Darby Simon, PhD
Study Coordinators: Defne Yucebas, BA (Lead) & Morgan Seward, BA
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

This fully powered, single blind, remote RCT compares two symptom management groups (Active Brains 1 and Active Brains 2). Our goal is to improve multimodal physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning among older adults with chronic pain and early subjective or objective cognitive decline. We will also test sustainability of improvement over 6 months and mechanisms of improvement through mediators and moderators.

For more information, please contact Defne Yucebas (dyucebas@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD ; Maggie Syme, PhD, Bradford Dickerson, MD
Project Manager: Donna Rusinak, BA
Study Clinicians: Savannah Boyd, MS; Kush Mehta, MS; Malena Price, MSc
Study Coordinators:‍ Dany La Camera, BA (Co-Lead); Morgan Seward, BA (Co-Lead); Study Coordinators: Rarinsri (Pin) Assakul, BS; Lily Munier, BA ‍Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

This is a fully powered, efficacy RCT testing two behavioral programs (Resilient Together-Young Onset Dementia 1 (RT-YOD1) and Resilient Together-Young Onset Dementia 2 (RT-YOD2)) to prevent chronic emotional distress in dyads of patients recently diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia and their primary informal caregivers. We aim to 1) determine the efficacy of RT-YOD1 versus RT-YOD2 both delivered via live video, among dyads with YOD within 6 months of diagnosis 2) determine whether improvements in efficacy outcomes are maintained through follow-up. Primary outcome is dyadic emotional distress.  Secondary outcomes are: mindfulness, coping ability, dyadic coping, and quality of life for dyads and individual patients and caregivers 3) determine whether dependent improvement in emotional distress and quality of life are mediated by improvements in the putative mechanisms of action (mindfulness, coping ability,  dyadic coping) and modified by relevant demographic and clinical predictors. 

Contact Email: mghresilienttogetheryod@mgb.org

Principal Investigator: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Project Director: Victoria Grunberg, PhD and Alex Presciutti, PhD, MSCS
Study Clinicians: Savannah Boyd, MS; Katherine Gnall, MS; Julia Hooker, PhD; Kush Mehta, MS; Malena Price, MSc; Christina Rush, PhD
Study Coordinators: Courtney Kilduff, BSEd (Lead); Aliya Hosford, BA; Dany La Camera, BA; Nadine Levey, BA: Morgan Seward, BA; Defne Yucebas, BA
Funding Source: National Institute of Nursing Research

This is a fully powered, efficacy RCT testing two behavioral programs (Recovering Together-1 and Recovering Together-2) to prevent chronic emotional distress in dyads of patients with an acute brain injury (e.g., stroke, TBI) and their family caregivers. The programs support dyads from hospitalization in the Neuro-ICU through discharge home or to rehab.

For more information, please contact Courtney Kilduff (ckilduff2@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Michael Samaan, PhD (University of Kentucky); Kate Jochimsen, PhD, ATC (MGH site PI)
Lead MGH Coordinator: Nadine Levey, BA
Funding Source: Department of Defense

Aim: Quantify the muscular- and psychological-based factors associated with hip joint injury as well as the changes in hip joint loading patterns that occur during a loaded ruck task and relate these muscular, psychological and biomechanical factors to changes in hip joint pain and cartilage health during the loaded ruck.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kate Jochimsen (kjochimsen@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Olivia Okereke, MD, MS, & Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Co-Principal Investigators: Karen T. Craddock, PhD, EdM, Jeanette Callahan, MD, Fanta Atkinson, PhD, LMHC & Dita Obler, MS, LCGC
Project Manager: Mallory Morehead, MPH
Clinicians: Rae Chavies, MS; Dumichel Harley, PhD; Malena Price, MS; Christopher Webster, PhD
Study Coordinators: Adjoa Acquaah, BA; Mariam Ahmed, BA; Denise Taveras, BA
Funding Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

This is a comparative effectiveness trial comparing two previously developed, widely used, and effective programs – Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy with walking (MBCT+w) and Active Living Every Day (ALED). The study aims to determine which program is most effective at addressing the problem of comorbid Chronic Pain (CP) and Early Cognitive Decline (ECD) among older Black adults in the community. The study is observing improvements in health outcomes (physical, emotional, cognitive function) after the program ends and sustained gains in improvement after 6 months. The superior program will be implemented by community peer coaches in the Greater Boston area through a sustainability plan.

For more information, please contact Mallory Morehead (mmorehead@mgb.org)

Principal Investigators: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD & Christine Ritchie, MD, MSPH
Project Directors: Jonathan Greenberg, PhD & Katherine McDermott, PhD
Clinicians: Natalia Giraldo-Santiago, PhD, LCSW; Katherine Gnall, MS; Andrea Kurkul, NP; Christopher Webster, PhD
Study Coordinators: Courtney Kilduff, BSEd (Lead); Aliya Hosford, BA; Morgan Seward, BA; Defne Yucebas, BA; Jaden Trask, MS
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

This study aims to optimize and implement our mind-body and activity program, GetActive+, for underserved English and Speaking-speaking older adults experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain from MGH Revere community clinics. In the R61 phase, we conducted an open pilot (N=33) which exceeded feasibility and acceptability benchmarks. We are currently in the R33 phase, conducting a randomized hybrid type 1 trial evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of GetActive+ (N=200). The overarching goal of the NIH HEAL project is to incorporate GetActive+ into the daily operations of underserved health centers across the region and nation.

For more information, please contact Courtney Kilduff (ckilduff2@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Tony V Pham, MD, MScGH
Study Coordinators: Kozbi Bayne-Cliff, BS
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research Award, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Harvard Catalyst Award

This study aims to culturally adapt mindfulness based cognitive therapy for the treatment needs and preferences of older Black adults with chronic pain and early cognitive decline. We will gather feedback about mindfulness-based cognitive therapy via qualitative focus groups with the central goal of finalizing a manual and study procedures. We will then conduct a feasibility open pilot study of the culturally adapted mindfulness-based cognitive therapy “Feeling of Being” to further assess for feasibility and acceptability.

For more information, please contact Tony V Pham (tonyvpham@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Louisa Sylvia, PhD & Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Project Director: Roberta Tovey, PhD
Study Clinicians: Sarah Bannon, PhD
Study Coordinators: Antonietta Alvarez Hernandez, BA; Ariana Sofia Gonzalez Montinola, BA
Funding source: National Institute on Aging

This study aims to adapt the evidence based-Fit and Strong! (F&S!) program to help engage older Black adults in sustained physical activity. We have partnered with the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston (BMA), an organization of predominantly Black churches, to conduct focus groups to better understand key barriers to engaging in physical activity in this population, and to gather impressions of an online platform to encourage sustained physical activity. We are currently developing an adjunct, online platform to the F&S! program and will be running an open pilot study (N=30) across BMA-affiliated churches to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the F&S! Online program.

For more information, please contact Antonietta Alvarez Hernandez (aalvarezhernandez@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Project Director: Heena Manglani, MA
Study Coordinator: Amber Wolf, MA
Funding Source: Department of Defense

This fully powered single blind, virtual RCT compares 2 live video resiliency programs to determine which one better improves quality of life among adolescents with NF1 or NF2. Secondary outcomes include pain, pain interference, coping, mindfulness, depression, and anxiety.

For more information please contact Amber Wolf (AWOLF9@bwh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Christina Rush, PhD
Study Clinician: Christina Rush, PhD
Study Coordinator: Sara Bogan, BS
Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

This K23 study aims to develop, refine, and pilot a mind-body meaning intervention to prevent chronic emotional distress among patients with ALS and their care-partners: “Resilient Together ALS (RT-ALS). We will: 1) develop RT-ALS content and study procedures based on interviews and focus groups with dyads and interdisciplinary ALS healthcare providers, 2) refine RT-ALS content and methodology in an open pilot, and 3) test the feasibility and acceptability of RT-ALS in a pilot randomized controlled trial.

For more information, please contact Sara Bogan (sbogan@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Ryan Mace, PhD
Study Coordinator:Makenna Law, BS
Funding source: National Institute on Aging

This K23 project will establish the feasibility of a mindfulness-based lifestyle program, My Healthy Brain (MHB), to modify multiple risk factors dementia in older adults with subjective cognitive decline. We will conduct focus groups with medical stakeholders(N = 20) and a feasibility randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the MHB program (N = 50). This data will inform a larger efficacy trial of the MHB program, which we hope to scale with mobile health technology to widely engage older adults in healthy lifestyles with aging.

For more information, please contact Makenna Law (mlaw@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Evan Plys, PhD
Study Coordinators: Makenna Law, BS
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

This study will develop and pilot test a dyadic intervention to reduce depression and anxiety among Medicaid beneficiaries receiving rehabilitation care in a community nursing home (skilled nursing facility) and their primary care-partner. Specifically, we will: (1) iteratively develop the BRISK intervention through feedback from skilled nursing facility residents and their care-partners as well as a community advisory board; and (2) test the feasibility and preliminary clinical benefit in a pilot randomized controlled trial.

For more information, please contact Evan Plys, PhD (eplys@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Tony V Pham, MD, MScGH
Study Coordinators: Kozbi Bayne-Cliff, BS
Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, The Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness

This study aims to adapt mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for the chronic pain and depression needs of older Black Americans. We will adapt MBCT using guidance from the older Black community with co-occurring chronic pain and depression. We will then pilot the adapted MBCT ("Quiet Focus") and conduct a pilot RCT to assess for feasibility and acceptability. These proposed efforts will inform an efficacy trial as well as future studies aimed at generalizing this work to other underrepresented groups.

For more information, please contact Tony V Pham (tonyvpham@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Kate Jochimsen, PhD, ATC
Lead Coordinator: Nadine Levey, BA
Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

This study aims to develop a multi-modal psychological skills intervention (Helping Improve PSychological health: HIPS) for patients with chronic, non-arthritic hip pain. We will: (1) develop the HIPS intervention based on stakeholder input (focus groups); (2) optimize HIPS through an open pilot; and (3) test the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of the HIPS intervention in a pilot RCT.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kate Jochimsen (kjochimsen@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Christine B. Sieberg, PhD, EdM, MA
Study Clinician: Christine B. Sieberg, PhD, EdM, MA
Study Coordinators: Caitlin Curry, BA
Study Post Doctoral Fellow: Ziyan Wu, PhD
Funding Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

This grant has two projects: (1) A prospective study (pre & post-surgery) examining the biobehavioral and neural mechanisms contributing to chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) through the lifespan. We enroll participants who are presenting for surgery and use a variety of behavioral and biological measures, as well as neuroimaging, to gain an understanding of the biological and psychological factors that contribute to the development of CPSP. (2) A mechanistic clinical trial of a group behavioral intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Participants are ages 12 and older and living with CPSP. They are randomized to complete the intervention or to treatment as usual. Participants complete behavioral and biological measures, including neuroimaging, in order to understand the potential mechanisms that contribute to treatment response in patients with CPSP.

For more information, please contact mghpspresearch@mgb.org

Principal Investigator: Alexander Presciutti, PhD, MSCS
Study Coordinator: Sara Bogan, BS
Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

This study aims to develop a dyadic mind-body intervention for emotional distress in cardiac arrest survivors and their caregivers, “Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest” (RT-CA). We will: (1) develop RT-CA content and study procedures based on interviews and focus groups with dyads and key stakeholders, (2) refine RT-CA through an open pilot, and (3) test the feasibility and acceptability of RT-CA through a pilot randomized controlled trial.

For more information, please contact Sara Bogan, BS (sbogan@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigators: Jonathan Greenberg, PhD & Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD (MPIs)
Clinicians: Brenda Lovette, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP
Study Coordinators: Kozbi Bayne-Cliff, BS
Funding Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

This project will develop, iteratively refine, and establish the feasibility, acceptability and credibility of Face-Forward-Web, the first psychosocial intervention developed through mixed-methods, tailored specifically for patients with heterogeneous chronic orofacial pain, and delivered through asynchronous web-platform.

For more information, please contact slbayne@mgh.harvard.edu

Principal Investigator: Jafar Bakhshaie MD, PhD
Study Coordinator: Kozbi Bayne-Cliff, BS
Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

This study will establish the feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of a novel, asynchronous web-based mind-body program (i.e., Toolkit for Resilient Life beyond Pain and Substance Use) aimed at decreasing disability, pain, emotional distress, and prescription opioid/other substance dependence among patients who seek care for non-traumatic painful upper extremity conditions with comorbid risky substance use. This study has completed aim I (qualitative interviews with stakeholders) and is currently analyzing this data and preparing to launch the feasibility open pilot (n=Up to 12).

For more information, please contact Kozbi Bayne-Cliff, BS (klbayne@mgh.harvard.edu)

Principal Investigator: Katherine McDermott, PhD 
Study Coordinator: Sara Bogan, BS
Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Overview: This study aims to develop, refine, and examine the feasibility of a self-directed mind-body intervention, Pain Disengagement Training (PDT), to reduce pain interference and depression in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and pain catastrophizing. We will (1) conduct qualitative focus groups with individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and catastrophizing to evaluate treatment needs and investigate avenues of adaptation for PDT, (2) conduct an open pilot to determine the initial feasibility of the PDT intervention, and (3) conduct a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PDT.

For more information, please contact Sara Bogan (sbogan@mgh.harvard.edu)