Cindy Tofthagen, Ph.D., R.N.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the trajectory of loss and grief over 12 months, the risk factors associated with high levels of pre-loss grief, and the preliminary effectiveness of ART for treatment of high levels of pre-loss grief among family caregivers (FCG) of persons nearing the end of life.

This clinical trial assesses the acceptability and feasibility of a virtual group Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C) and its effect in improving the wellbeing of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Caregivers often suffer from significant existential distress, which includes feelings of hopelessness, demoralization, burden, loss of meaning and dignity, and a decreased will to live. MCP-C seeks to help caregivers connect to meaning and purpose despite the challenges of caregiving and helps caregivers understand how sources of meaning may help with symptoms of burden and reduce despair. Participating in MCP-C may help improve sense of personal meaning, spiritual well-being, and mood in caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of home-based utilization of the PNR program on cancer survivors with CIPN and caregivers applying the instruction, and to develop a mobile application that will deliver the instructional program.

The purpose of this study is to determine changes in sleep characteristics [insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index), total sleep time, sleep onset latency, and sleep efficiency], fatigue, and quality of life at enrollment (T1) one week (T2) and four weeks (T3) and twelve weeks (T4) following completion of the second session of ART. Investigate variation in treatment response by level of insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index) and fatigue, cancer stage, current cancer treatment, and baseline level of emotional distress (PHQ-9, GAD-7) and trauma (PCL-5).

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate accelerated resolution therapy (ART) for treatment of cancer distress and psychological trauma.

The long-term goal of this study is to alleviate the occurrence of CIN and fatigue and to improve chemotherapy treatment outcomes. The identification of associations between fatigue, CIN and chemotherapy-induced changes in gut microbiome composition profiles will increase our understanding of these mechanisms that underlie patient symptom experience. An increased understanding of the underlying mechanisms will provide targets for the development of novel interventions to help alleviate fatigue and CIN.

The purpose of this study is to better understand the distress experience of hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and to examine the relationship between cancer distress, psychological trauma, and resiliency over time.

The purpose of this study is an effort to enrich the ongoing NOHARM pragmatic trial. NOHARM AIM 3 will use a mixed methods analysis of patient and care team factors that affect the adoption, implementation and use of the NOHARM intervention using Epic reports, conduct chart reviews and patient interviews, as well as obtain feedback via suveys.

The purpose of this study is investigate if functions and composition of the gut microbiome are associated with the occurrence of chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN). Also, to evaluate the feasibility of patient recruitment and retention, as well as specimen collection and to evaluate for changes in alpha and beta diversity as well as composition (i.e. relative abundance) of the gut microbiome from T1 to T2 in patients who do and do not report CIN at T2. In addition, to examine associations between microbial composition functional profiles at T1 and T2 in patients who report CIN at T2.

The purpose of this project is to improve understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and their effect on mental well-being among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, as well as to pilot test a novel treatment for PTSD among ICU nurses. ICU nurses are at high risk of developing PTSD due to regular and ongoing exposure to death and tragedy. This study will lead to improvements in understanding of the prevalence of PTSD and associated factors among nursing staff, as well as the preliminary effects of an intervention to ameliorate it. 

The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the development of neuropathy symptoms and corresponding changes in physical function in persons receiving oxaliplatin based chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate sexual well-being in minority women who have been diagnosed with cancer, and their partners. 

The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of symptoms and quality of life issues experienced by women with metastatic breast cancer.