Overview
Our current efforts are a continuation of our research evaluating the utility of cognitive behavioral methods for assessing and treating pain. Ultimately it is our hope to help patients more effectively cope with long term demands of chronic and disabling pain due to both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Our current research in osteoarthritis is to examine physiological and psychological responses to noxious stimuli in men and women with osteoarthritis. We hope to learn more about differences in pain perception in men vs. women as well as any racial difference that may exist. In addition, we hope to learn more specifically the possible mechanism of these gender differences in individuals with osteoarthritis.
Patients with RA are faced with the task of coping with numerous major life stresses associated with their disease and often experience emotional distress related to disruptions in their health, work, family and marital functioning. With recognition of the psychosocial effects of RA has come increased interest in psychosocial approaches to treatment. The long range goal of our research here is to reduce the pain, psychological disability, and physical disability experienced by patients having rheumatoid arthritis. The study underway continues our research on psychosocial interventions for arthritis and is designed to test the hypothesis that a clinician - assisted emotional disclosure protocol can improve the long term functional status of patients with RA.
Our current research in osteoarthritis is to examine physiological and psychological responses to noxious stimuli in men and women with osteoarthritis. We hope to learn more about differences in pain perception in men vs. women as well as any racial difference that may exist. In addition, we hope to learn more specifically the possible mechanism of these gender differences in individuals with osteoarthritis.
Patients with RA are faced with the task of coping with numerous major life stresses associated with their disease and often experience emotional distress related to disruptions in their health, work, family and marital functioning. With recognition of the psychosocial effects of RA has come increased interest in psychosocial approaches to treatment. The long range goal of our research here is to reduce the pain, psychological disability, and physical disability experienced by patients having rheumatoid arthritis. The study underway continues our research on psychosocial interventions for arthritis and is designed to test the hypothesis that a clinician - assisted emotional disclosure protocol can improve the long term functional status of patients with RA.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Medicine
·
1986 - Present
Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology,
Medicine
Recent Publications
Effects of a Weight and Pain Management Program in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Investigation.
Journal Article J Clin Rheumatol · January 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with poor outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Effective weight management is imperative. Although traditional lifestyle behavioral weight loss programs have demonstrated efficacy for reducing weight, thes ... Full text Link to item CiteImplementation and Challenges of Training Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in a University Fellowship Program: Comment on the Article by Smith et al.
Journal Article Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) · October 2019 Full text Link to item CiteSelf-Efficacy for Pain Communication Moderates the Relation Between Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression and Pain Catastrophizing Among Patients With Osteoarthritis.
Journal Article J Pain · September 2018 UNLABELLED: Pain catastrophizing (ie, the tendency to focus on and magnify pain sensations and feel helpless in the face of pain) is one of the most important and consistent psychological predictors of the pain experience. The present study examined, in 60 ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Coping Skills Training for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2002 - 2007Gender, Coping, and the Arthritis Pain Experience
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1999 - 2004Cognitive Behavioral Treatments For Arthritis Pain
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1993 - 1998View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Wake Forest University ·
1971
M.D.