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Asthma Lab Research Projects

CURRENT PROJECTS

A Randomized Trial of Perception of Airflow Limitation Training to Improve Outcomes for Older Adults with Asthma 

Principal Investigators: Feldman, Wisnivesky, & Federman

NHLBI, R01HL171676            

12/22/23 – 11/30/28

The major goal of this project is to conduct a randomized controlled trial of an intervention that trains older patients with asthma to better perceive airway obstruction and provides motivational interviewing to improve asthma self-care and examine mediation pathways. 

 

A novel patient-facing mobile platform to collect and implement patient-reported outcomes and voice biomarkers in underserved adult patients with asthma

Principal Investigators: Jonathan Feldman, PhD and Sunit Jariwala, MD

AHRQ, R21 HS028892

04/2023 – 03/2028


Depression in Older Asthmatics: Understanding Inflammatory and Behavioral Pathways
Principal Investigators: Feldman, Busse, & Wisnivesky
NHLBI, R01HL142749
06/01/19 - 04/30/24


The objective of this project is to investigate the biological and behavioral pathways linking depression with asthma outcomes in older adults.

The link to the Bronx 12 news piece can be found here.

PAST PROJECTS

Asthma symptom perception feedback intervention for ethnic minority adolescents

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Feldman, Ph.D.

1R01HL128260-01, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Period: 12/15/15 – 11/30/21  

This randomized controlled trial will test a behavioral intervention involving peak flow prediction feedback among an ethnically diverse sample of children to improve asthma symptom perception, adherence to controller medications, and asthma control and reduce emergency department visits.

Symptom perception, behavior, and outcomes in older asthmatics   

Principal Investigators: Feldman, Wisnivesky, & Federman 

NHLBI, 1R01HL131418  

Period: 05/01/16 – 04/30/21  

The aim of this grant is to examine, among older adults, the influence of asthma symptom perception on self-management behaviors and morbidity, and the impact of cognition on symptom perception.

Adapting and evaluating an enhanced ASTHMAXcel mobile application for youth with asthma

Principal Investigator: Feldman, Jariwala, & Reznik

1R01HL128260-01, Price Family Foundation

Period: 05/01/18 – 04/30/21  

The goal of this project is to adapt, test, and refine the ASTHMAXcel mobile intervention for youth with asthma, incoprporate the peak expiratory flow prediction feedback paradigm, and conduct a pilot RCT.



Adaptation of a Behavioral Treatment for Latinos with Panic Disorder and Asthma

This is a pilot study designed to culturally adapt for Latinos a behavioral treatment for comorbid panic disorder (PD) and asthma, and examine its efficacy versus an active placebo treatment. There is a large degree of symptom similarity between PD and asthma. Confusion between panic and asthma symptoms can result in serious errors in self-management of both disorders. Patients with PD and asthma need a tailored intervention because what may be therapeutic for one condition can potentially exacerbate the other condition. The intervention teaches participants to differentiate between panic and asthma symptoms, and how to apply self-management strategies for each. The treatment also includes elements of cognitive behavioral therapy for PD that are safe for patients with asthma, and combines it with asthma education and heart rate variability biofeedback therapy.

 

The research plan will involve two aims: 1) Cultural adaptation of the Panic-Asthma Treatment and 2) a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.

 

Collaborators:

Alex Interian, Ph.D.
Maria Katsamanis, Psy.D.
Anu Kotay, Ph.D.
Paul  Lehrer, Ph.D.
Chang Shim, M.D.

Sumita Sinha, M.D.

Funding Source

NIMH: R34MH087679 (PI: J. Feldman)

Asthma Disparities in Latino Children: Acculturation, Illness Representations and Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Ethnic disparities in asthma health outcomes among Latino children are so striking that researchers and public health officials have issued a call for action to understand why this is occurring. Recent descriptive asthma research confirmed that these disparities are not totally explained by genetic, environmental, healthcare system or provider factors. Little research has been conducted integrating, in one explanatory model, the multitude of factors that lead to disparities. Perhaps of importance, but not well examined, is the role that illness representations (the way one interprets health and illness that influences management of health problems) may play in parents’ decisions to use CAM and controller medications to manage their children’s asthma. Parents are the gatekeepers for their children’s healthcare and ultimately make the final treatment decisions. Before developing interventions targeting asthma health disparities, a more thorough understanding of the interaction of individual, cultural, experiential, and healthcare system factors, and the social-environmental context is needed.

 

The proposed study moves the research from descriptive studies to a multi-level examination of the interaction of social, cultural, experiential, environmental, and healthcare system factors on disparities in asthma control among Mexican and Puerto Rican children. The aims of this study are 1) to explore differences in illness representations between these Latino subgroups due to social and contextual factors and 2) to test a growth model  examining disparities in asthma control as a function of differences in parents’ treatment decisions (CAM and controller medication use) and changes in illness representations over one year.

 

Collaborators:

Kimberly Arcoleo, Ph.D., M.P.H. 
Judith Harris, M.S., R.N., CPNP
April Hawthorne, M.Ed.
Deepa Rastogi, M.D.
Peggy Radford, M.D.
Juliana Rodriguez, M.D.
Tanya Sauerhoefer, R.N.
Denise Serebrisky, M.D.
Dean Soto, BBA, RRT, AE-C

Funding Source

NCCAM: R01AT005216 (K. Arcoleo)

Stress Among Parents and Youth with Food Allergy

The Stress Among Parents and Youth with Food Allergy is an ongoing pilot study examining the relationship between childhood food allergies and psychosocial stress among children with food allergies and their caregivers. In collaboration with Dr. Renee Goodwin of Queens College, we are currently recruiting children aged 5-12 years with food allergies and/or asthma, and healthy controls and the children’s primary caregivers. The study consists of a brief interview with caregivers and children, which includes questions about food allergy knowledge and psychological well-being.

 

Collaborators:

Gabriele deVos, M.D.

Renee Goodwin, Ph.D.

Denise Serebrisky, M.D.

Diagnosis of Aspirin Hypersensitivity by Measuring Arachidonic Acid Metabolites after Low Dose Aspirin Challenge

This study is a collaboration with researchers at Montefiore Medical Center who are exploring a new approach to diagnosis of aspirin allergy for individuals with asthma. Our research team is examining how psychological factors affect individuals with aspirin – exacerbated respiratory disease. Participants will answer questions about anxiety, panic disorder, depression, medication adherence, and asthma control. Participants with aspirin – exacerbated respiratory disease will be compared with a control group of aspirin-tolerant asthma patients.

Collaborator/Principal Investigator:

Elina Jerschow, M.D.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Symptom Perception in Childhood Asthma

Funding Source

1R03HD053355, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PI: J. Feldman

For more information follow this link

 

Pediatric Asthma: Disparities and Family Factors

Funding Source

SB-20474-N, American Lung Association

PI: J. Feldman

For more information follow this link

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