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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Nurs Outlook. 2014 Jul 18;62(5):322–331. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2014.06.008

Table 1.

Description of Center Projects

Pilot Study/Project PI
(PPI)		 Purpose Sample Major Findings
Description
(N)		 Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria
Effects of Guided Imagery on Biobehavior al Factors in Women with Fibromyalgi a Syndrome (FMS)/PI: Menzies Randomized controlled trial to test the effects of a 10-week guided imagery (GI) intervention on self-efficacy, perceived stress, & selected biobehavioral factors Women > 18 years of age diagnosed with FMS
(N=72)		 Inclusion: (1) Able to read, write, and understand English
Exclusion: (1) Other rheumatologic conditions; (2) history of epilepsy; (3) no known major psychiatric or neurological conditions that would interfere with study participation; any psychiatric disorder involving a history of psychosis; (4) immunocompromised (e.g., HIV/AIDS); (5) current use of corticosteroids; or (6) pregnancy		 Psychobehavioral: As measured by the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) respectively, there were statistically significant decreases in fatigue (p<0.01), depression (p<0.01) and perceived stress (p=0.05) from baseline to week 10 in the GI vs. control group.
Biological: No statistically significant differences between groups in levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or C-reactive protein at baseline, 6- or 10-weeks.
Effects of Guided Imagery on Pregnancy Symptoms and Outcomes/PI: Jallo RCT to test the effects of a GI intervention on maternal stress and the related symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression, and unhappiness as well as biological mediators African American women > 18 years of age & pregnant at 14–17 weeks gestation
(N=72)		 Inclusion: (1) Able to read, write, and understand English; (2) verbalize a source of social support
Exclusion: (1) Multiple pregnancy; (2) cervical cerclage; (3) current use of oral corticosteroids; (4) uterine or cervical abnormality; (5) dissociative disorders, borderline personalities, or psychotic pathology; (6) medical and/or pregnancy complications known to impact neuroendocrine hormones; or (7) current use of GI.		 Psychobehavioral: Significantly lower PSS scores at week 8 but not week 12 were found in the GI group compared to UC group.GI group reported significantly less fatigue and anxiety compared to UC group. No significant differences in happiness or depressive symptom scores were found between groups.
Biological: No significant differences between groups in corticotropin-releasing hormone or cytokine levels.
Exploring the Effects of Tai Chi on Cardiometa bolic Risk (CMR) in Women/PI: Robins RCT to assess feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a novel tai chi intervention on CMR Women aged 35–50 years with increased waist circumference and a family history of CVD
(N=63)		 Inclusion: (1) Able to read, write, & understand English; (2) premenopausal; (3) abdominal adiposity; (4) family history of CVD.
Exclusion: (1) Prior cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or uncontrolled or severe HTN (BP≥180/120); (2) morbid obesity (BMI≥40); (3) unstable major depressive disorder; or (4) baseline fasting blood sugar>120mg/dl or LDL>160mg/dl.		 Psychobehavioral: Significant decreases in fatigue and depressive symptoms, and significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and spirituality in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Biological: Significant decreases in multiple cytokines associated with inflammation, immune function and insulin resistance in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Fatigue in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)/PI: Ameringer Descriptive study to describe fatigue and examine relationships between fatigue and biobehavioral factors AYA aged 15–30 years diagnosed with SCD
(N = 60)		 Inclusion: Ability to read, write, and understand English (participant, minor participant, parent)
Exclusion: Pregnancy		 Psychobehavioral: Mild to moderate levels of fatigue in the sample. Lower levels of fatigue (on all measures) were significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, perceived stress, anxiety, sleep, and pain. Lower levels of fatigue (on all measures) were significantly associated with higher levels of quality of life.
Biological: None of the fatigue scale scores were significantly associated with cytokines (inflammation), age, or disease severity. PROMIS Fatigue-Short Form scores were inversely correlated with hemoglobin levels, with higher fatigue significantly associated with lower hemoglobin. PROMIS Fatigue-Short Form scores differed significantly by sex, with females having higher fatigue levels