Research
Contact for Study Participation
Department Chair
- Ellen and Ron Caplan Professor and Chair, Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences
- CEO,Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Jefferson Health
Research Principal Investigator
- Research Director, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health
- Professor, Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences
- Professor, Department of Radiology
Feeling stressed? Researchers at the Thomas Jefferson University Marcus Institute for Integrative Health are seeking participants for two separate and innovative research studies related to reducing stress for healthcare workers.
To find out if you are a good candidate for either of these research programs, call 215-503-4886 or email Emily Navarreto at [email protected]. Learn more about the studies below.
Research Studies
The Effect of Meditation on Brain Activity
The Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University is seeking people who work in a healthcare setting and are experiencing distress to take part in an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved study to investigate innovative stress reduction solutions.
The goal of this study is to explore the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to reduce stress and promote resilience.
40 participants will be asked to complete fMRI scans at the Villanova Marcus Institute of Integrative Health.
NASW-PA Chapter is a co-sponsor of this workshop. Up to 20 credit hours will be awarded for completion of this course.
In order to be eligible to participate in the research study:
- Be 18 years or older; able to provide independent informed consent
- Work in a healthcare facility
- Experience distress from your work
- No significant neurological or psychological conditions
- Available to Participate in a weekly, online MBSR program for 2 months
If you qualify for the research study, you may:
- Participate in an MBSR meditation program for free
- Complete surveys about health, mood, quality of life, stress, and resilience
- Forty persons will be asked to complete brain imaging; fMRI scans, before and after the MBSR program.
The Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (TaVNS) on Brain Function in Distressed Healthcare Professionals
The goal of this study is to understand the changes in brain in distressed health workers by studying the use of ear beds device to potentially reduce anxiety and stress. We are enrolling 80 frontline healthcare workers who experience distress from providing health care to participate. Forty participants will be asked to complete fMRI scans.
In order to participate in the research study you must:
- Be 21 years or older; able to provide independent informed consent
- Healthcare worker who experiences distress from providing health care
- No significant Neurological or Psychological Conditions
- Female subjects of childbearing potential have a negative pregnancy test.
- Available to use ear buds in a daily basis approximately 15 minutes for 3 months.
If you qualify for the research study, you may:
- Participate in the TaVNS program for free
- Complete surveys about health, mood, quality of life, stress and resilience
- Forty persons will be asked to complete brain imaging; fMRI scans, before and after the TaVNS program