Bio


Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he has been a member of the academic faculty since 1975, and was Chair of the Stanford University Faculty Senate from 2010-2011. Dr. Spiegel has more than 40 years of clinical and research experience studying psycho-oncology, stress and health, pain control, psychoneuroendocrinology, sleep, hypnosis, and conducting randomized clinical trials involving psychotherapy for cancer patients. He has published thirteen books, 404 scientific journal articles, and 170 book chapters on hypnosis, psychosocial oncology, stress physiology, trauma, and psychotherapy. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Fetzer Institute, the Dana Foundation for Brain Sciences, and the Nathan S. Cummings Foundation. He was a member of the work groups on stressor and trauma-related disorders for the DSM-IV and DSM-5 editions of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. He is Past President of the American College of Psychiatrists and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and is a Member of the National Academy of Medicine. He was invited to speak on hypnosis at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2018.

Clinical Focus


  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent
  • Medical Director, Stanford Center for Integrative Medicine

Academic Appointments


Administrative Appointments


  • Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences., Stanford University School of Medicine. (1982 - 1987)
  • Associate Research Psychiatrist., University of California, San Francisco. (1986 - 1991)
  • Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences., Stanford University School of Medicine. (1987 - 1991)
  • Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, with tenure., Stanford University School of Medicine. (1991 - Present)
  • Associate Chair, Stanford University School of Medicine - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2000 - Present)
  • Jack, Lulu & Sam Willson Professor, Stanford School of Medicine. (2002 - Present)

Honors & Awards


  • In recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community., Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition (June 2013)
  • 12th Holland Distinguished Leadership Award, The American Psychosocial Oncology Society (February 2014)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime Achievement Award., The International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology (August 20, 2013)
  • The Joan and Stanford Alexander Award in Psychiatry honoring Stuart C. Yudofsky,M.D., Baylor College of Medicine (2014)
  • Member, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (2012)
  • Arthur M Sutherland Award for Lifetime Achievement, International Psycho-Oncology Society (2011)
  • Distinguished Life Fellow,in recognition of significant contributions to Psychiatry., American Psychiatric Association. (2006)
  • Marmor Award for Advancement of the Biopsychosocial Model in Psychiatry., American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychological Association. (2004)
  • Ernest R. Hilgard Award for Scientific Excellence for 2002., The International Society of Hypnosis. (2003)
  • The Division 30 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Professional Hypnosis., The American Psychological Association. (2003)
  • Best Paper on the Application of Hypnosis., American Psychological Association. (2002)
  • Distinguished Achievement Award,the founding editor of the Progress in Psychiatry Series 1986-2002., American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc (2002)
  • Henry Guze Award for Best Research Paper., Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. (2001)
  • Docteur Honoris Causa., de l'Universite de la Mediterranee (1999)
  • Mc Govern Award Lecturer on the Art and Science of Medicine,, Baylor. (1999)
  • Burroughs Wellcome Visiting Professor., Royal Society of Medicine. UK. (1997)
  • Meritorious Service Award., Northern California Psychiatric Society. (1997)
  • Rockefeller Foundation Visiting Scholar., Bellagio Study and Conference Center. Italy. (1997)
  • Special Keynote Address Award., American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. (1997)
  • One for the Heart Award., Mid-Peninsula Hospice. (1995)
  • The Edward A. Strecker, M. D. Award., The Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital and Jefferson Medical College. (1995)
  • Pierre Janet Writing Award., International Society for the Study of Dissociation. (1994)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations


  • Member, Psychiatry Editorial Board, Uptodate, (2010 - Present)
  • Psychiatry Editor, ACP Medicine, American College of Physicians (2011 - Present)
  • Editorial Board, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (2008 - 2011)
  • Science Editor, , American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 2007 - (2007 - Present)
  • Member, Editorial Advisory Board, APPI (1986 - 2001)

Professional Education


  • Residency: Cambridge Health Alliance (1974) MA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry (1976)
  • Fellowship: Lab of Community Psychiatry (1974) MA
  • Residency: Massachusetts Mental Health Center (1974) MA
  • Medical Education: Harvard Medical School (1971) MA
  • B.A., Yale College, Philosophy (1967)
  • M. D., Harvard Medical School., Medicine (1971)

Current Research and Scholarly Interests


Dr. Spiegel's research interests involve stress and health: cognitive control over somatic functions, including cancer progression, the response to traumatic stress, and the perception of pain and anxiety. He is currently conducting a large scale study of the relationships among sleep disturbance, diurnal stress hormone patterns, and breast cancer survival, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. This work is based upon earlier evidence from his laboratory that loss of circadian variation in cortisol, indicative of HPA dysfunction, predicts early mortality with breast cancer.

Dr. Spiegel is also continuing study of the relationship between the acute response to trauma, including dissociative symptoms, and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. He is also evaluating various methods of treating these symptoms.

Dr. Spiegel is carrying out studies of the neurophysiological components of hypnosis by studying brain correlates of hypnotic perceptual alteration, using PET, fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging. His research program is designed to examine neurophysiological and peripheral mechanisms through which psychological and social support may influence physical health.

Clinical Trials


  • Establishing a Dose-response Relationship With Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Recruiting

    This study evaluates an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation using a transcranial magnetic stimulation device for treatment-resistant depression. In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled fashion, half the participants will receive accelerated theta-burst stimulation while half will receive sham treatment.

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  • Examining the Effects of Regular Brief Internet-based Meditation Practice on Mental Health and Well Being Recruiting

    The study will examine the effects of online meditation training on stress and anxiety in healthy participants. It will also examine the dose-response relationship between the amount of daily focused attention meditation practice and established mental health outcome measures.

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  • Personalized Therapeutic Neuromodulation for Anhedonic Depression Recruiting

    This study will investigate the anti-anhedonic efficacy of a novel neurostimulation strategy termed accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) in participants with treatment resistant depression (TRD).

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  • Rapid Acting TMS for Suicide Ideation in Depression Recruiting

    This study evaluates the effects of an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation, termed accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation (aiTBS), on the neural networks underlying explicit and implicit suicidal cognition in inpatients with major depressive disorder.

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  • Rapid Acting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Recruiting

    This study evaluates an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation using a transcranial magnetic stimulation device for treatment-resistant depression. In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled fashion, half the participants will receive accelerated theta-burst stimulation while half will receive sham treatment.

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  • The Effects of Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy on Explicit and Implicit Suicidal Cognition Recruiting

    This study evaluates the effects of an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation, termed Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT), on the neural networks underlying explicit and implicit suicidal cognition in inpatients with major depressive disorder.

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  • Treatment of Acute Mood Depressive Episode in Borderline Personality Disorder With rTMS Recruiting

    This study evaluates the antidepressant effects of an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation, termed accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation (aiTBS), in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or trait and comorbid mood depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar II disorder in a current mood depressive episode (MDE).

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  • Acupuncture for Sleep Disruption in Cancer Survivors Not Recruiting

    The proposed study will recruit 60 women with breast cancer who finished undergoing treatment who complain of persistent insomnia problems that began with onset of their cancer diagnosis. The eligible women would be randomized and stratified by sleep problems to two arms: (Acupuncture Arm vs. Sham Acupuncture) with a goal of having 48 patients complete the study (we anticipate about 20% attrition rate). The study interventions will begin after patients completed their treatment. The placebo control for acupuncture will be a validated sham acupuncture control Assessments will be made with daily diaries and with weekly questionnaires. PSG data will be collected on the subsample of the population. Data will be gathered via pencil-and-paper measures before, during, immediately following, one month following the completion of treatment and six months after the conclusion of treatment. In addition, actigraphy data (objective sleep continuity data) will be acquired prior to and following treatment

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact David Spiegel, (650) 723 - 6421.

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  • Do Community Cancer Support Groups Reduce Physiological Stress in Women With Primary Breast Cancer? Not Recruiting

    Women with primary breast cancer may benefit from participating in supports groups as they cope with treatment and the psychological challenges of survivorship. Studies have documented that these women benefit from support groups run in a university setting; however, no one has documented that they benefit from community cancer support groups. Many community cancer support groups exist and provide service to a large number of women with breast cancer. It is important to know if these groups are providing comparable service to well researched support groups. We conducted this study as the first randomized study of community compared to university-style support groups. Women had a 50/50 chance of being assigned to either a community or a university style support group based on a coin flip. This study took place in two sites The Wellness Community East Bay (Walnut Creek) and San Francisco. Two community groups were studied. i) This study evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of two community-based support group interventions for breast cancer patients [The Wellness (TWC) and Cancer Support (CSC) Communities, in the San Francisco area]. We compared them with a type of therapy developed in the university setting (Stanford's Supportive-Expressive group therapy), studied which aspects are most effective, and who benefits the most. We compared these women on change in emotional distress, means of coping with cancer, and social and family support. In addition, change in physiological response to stress was measured using saliva samples. ii) We were able to achieve recruitment for 6 of 8 groups proposed. We randomized 72 women in blocks of 12 taking consecutive women per site until we accrued 12 for each group. Of those, 61 women actually attended groups, of those 46 women to date completed at least one follow-up and were available for analysis for this report. We screened 108 women, 16 who were screened out on initial phone contact, 20 women began to go through our baseline interviews and assessments and either decided not to enroll or dropped out before we could compose a group for the second S.F. randomization. Our final two follow-up assessments for our final group in the East Bay are being conducted right now (8 month) and will be conducted in October, 2002 (12 month) so they are not available for assay or analysis for this final report. iii) We examined 5 outcome variables for this report and found that women participating in the community groups changed at about the same level over the 4 months of group therapy as the women in the Stanford groups. This was true for depression symptoms, trauma symptoms, social support, self-efficacy, and post-traumatic-growth. These analyses are preliminary until we complete our final follow-up assessments. It is encouraging for the community groups that women benefited at the same rate as they did in the well-researched Stanford groups. Conclusions for this study are somewhat limited because we could not complete the recruitment of our entire sample. However, there is every reason to suppose that community groups are as effective at serving women with primary breast cancer as Stanford's groups though they are based on very different ideas of therapy. It is important to note that all of these groups were led by therapists, and that we may have found other results if the groups had been led by peers or other types of professionals. This study reduces the human and economic cost of breast cancer in California by validating community groups usually offered free to women with breast cancer.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Does a Peer Navigator Improve Quality of Life at Diagnosis for Women With Breast Cancer? Not Recruiting

    Women indicate the greatest needs for counseling at the time of initial diagnosis for primary breast cancer. The time of initial diagnosis is also often the time of greatest need for information for women and their families. However, this is the time when a woman, overwhelmed by shock and trauma, is least likely to absorb information provided or seek new sources of information. An informed peer navigator with carefully trained communication skills can judge the level of information to disclose and pace that information in a way that can be easily absorbed and understood. She will also provide support. WomenCARE, a well-established Santa Cruz agency providing free support services for women with cancer, and the Psychosocial Treatment Lab at Stanford therefore ask whether women newly diagnosed with breast cancer will improve their quality of life by participating in a peer navigator program. WomenCARE's peer navigators provide emotional support, good listening skills, and information on resources for women just diagnosed with breast cancer. Having a peer counselor while a woman goes through treatment may reduce the magnitude of distress or shorten its time course. It may also reduce distress in family members, and improve relationships with medical personnel. This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer navigator program where a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer is carefully matched for 3 to 6 months after diagnosis with a trained volunteer who is herself a breast cancer survivor. Navigators and Sojourners (newly diagnosed women) are matched on things that are important to them. Women often want to be matched on the type of surgery or treatment they have received. We assign half of the women (by a process similar to a coin toss) to our peer navigator program and half to a group that receives standard medical care but no peer navigator. In this way we can compare the groups to see whether those matched with a peer navigator have better quality of life over the 3 to 6 month period. All women who join our study, regardless of the group to which they are assigned, get an extra consultation with a nurse specialist at a local hospital. In this consultation, the nurse reviews the cancer resources available to the woman in Santa Cruz County. This meeting is tailored to the woman's individual diagnosis and situation.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • DVD-Based Training Program in Self-Hypnosis for Children Not Recruiting

    The proposed study is designed to utilize a self-hypnosis DVD home-training program for parents to use with their children to teach self-hypnosis techniques for inducing relaxation and hypnotic analgesia. These relaxation techniques can be employed to manage anticipatory anxiety, distress, and pain during an invasive medical procedure, for example, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). The study will examine the efficacy of this intervention for children undergoing VCUG procedures.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Bita Nouriani, M.S., 650-723-8479.

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  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Hypnosis and Mindfulness Meditation Not Recruiting

    Hypnotic trance and mindfulness meditation have both been shown to have benefits for physical health. The current study seeks to determine if there are distinct patterns of brain activity that correlate with hypnotic trance, mindfulness meditation or both, and to relate these patterns to measurable markers of physical well-being. Precise neuroimaging of heightened attentional states will guide future researchers and practitioners toward more effective techniques of mind/body control.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Matthew P White, MD, 650-725-5598.

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  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessing Affect Reactivity and Regulation in Patients With Stage 0-III Breast Cancer Not Recruiting

    The investigators hope to gain a better understanding of the influence of affect reactivity and regulation on the decision of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to choose bilateral mastectomy. The information gained can help develop an intervention to enable management of cancer-related anxiety by non-surgical means.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Bita Nouriani, 650-723-8479.

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  • Group Psychotherapy for People With HIV Not Recruiting

    This study will examine the effectiveness of supportive-expressive group therapy plus education compared with an educational intervention in improving the quality of life and promoting health-enhancing behavior of men and women living with HIV or AIDS.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Group Therapies for Reducing HIV-risk Behavior in Women Who Have Survived Childhood Sexual Abuse Not Recruiting

    This study will evaluate the effectiveness of trauma-focused group therapy for reducing HIV-risk behavior and revictimization among adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Group Therapy for Primary Breast Cancer Not Recruiting

    The purpose of this study is to determine whether women with primary breast cancer who were randomly assigned to receive a brief group therapy would show a greater reduction in mood disturbance over time compared to those randomized to the control condition. We also hypothesized that women who were highly distressed at baseline would show the greatest benefit from participating in a support group, and that therapists with more training and experience would be most effective in reducing distress.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Intellectual Impairment in Women With Breast Cancer Not Recruiting

    RATIONALE: Breast cancer and its treatment may cause changes in a patient's ability to think, learn, and remember. Gathering information about a woman's genes, brain function, and personal history may help doctors learn more about the disease and plan the best treatment. PURPOSE: 1. To determine changes in brain function that occur following breast cancer chemotherapy. 2. To gain further understanding of the individual differences in brain function changes and recovery based on demographic, medical and treatment variables.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Shelli Kesler, PhD, 650-723-0058.

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  • Management of Insomnia in Breast Cancer Patients Not Recruiting

    To provide preliminary data on the effects of brief behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBT-I) on insomnia in breast cancer patients expecting to receive cancer treatment (unspecified). Participants will be randomized into 4 groups: - Arm 1: Brief Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia (BBT-I) + Armodafinil 150 mg/day. - Arm 2: Behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) + Armodafinil 150 mg/day. - Arm 3: Brief Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia (BBT-I) without pharmaceutical intervention. - Arm 4: Behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) without pharmaceutical intervention.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Oxana Palesh, PhD, MPH, 650-725-7011.

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  • Meditation and Hypnosis for Chronic Depressed Mood Not Recruiting

    This study examined whether meditation or group psychotherapy including hypnosis plus education, compared to an educational control, would ameliorate long-term depressed mood.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Online Automated Self-Hypnosis Program Not Recruiting

    After developing professional quality materials (audio) for an affordable automated self-hypnosis intervention program for facilitating smoking cessation, stress and pain reduction, researchers aim to gain qualitative reviews of this program, and test its initial feasibility and effects on smoking cessation and reduction in pain and stress. In addition, this study seeks to determine whether higher hypnotizability, as measured by the Hypnotic Induction Profile (assessed at baseline), is a moderator of improved outcome in these conditions.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Johnna L Medina, PhD, 650-497-4489.

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  • Psychophysiological Effects of Controlled Respiration and Mindfulness Not Recruiting

    The investigators aim to understand the effectiveness of 3 types of breathwork exercises and a mindfulness meditation control on improving psychological and physiological measures of wellbeing. The interventions will be delivered remotely and effects are monitored through daily surveys and physiological monitoring with WHOOP wristband through a 28-day period. The information gained will help develop the most effective remote interventions for lowering stress and improving wellbeing. The study will be run on a healthy general population. The three breathing conditions were 1) Cyclic Sighing, which emphasizes relatively prolonged exhalations, 2) Box Breathing, which is equal duration of inhalations, breath retentions, exhalations and breath retentions, and 3) Cyclic Hyperventilation with Retention, with longer, more intense inhalations and shorter, passive exhalations. Mindfulness Meditation practice involved passive attention to breath.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Psychosocial Treatment for Improving Chances of Survival in Women With Breast Cancer Not Recruiting

    This study will investigate the influence of psychosocial treatment on psychological outcomes and survival among women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Sleep, Circadian Hormonal Dysregulation, and Breast Cancer Survival Not Recruiting

    Recent research provides evidence that disrupted circadian rhythms, including hormonal patterns and sleep, are associated with increased risk of breast cancer incidence and faster progression to mortality. We have observed that a loss of normal diurnal cortisol rhythm associated with more awakenings during the night predicts early mortality with metastatic breast cancer. Other recent studies have shown that nighttime shift work is associated with higher breast cancer incidence, and in a murine model disrupting circadian cortisol cycles produced a doubling of implanted tumor growth. There is also recent evidence that abnormal clock genes are associated with cancer. However, it is not clear whether sleep disruption per se affects breast cancer progression, or whether such an effect is mediated by hormonal and immune dysregulation of this prevalent and hormone-mediated cancer. We propose to study sleep disruption as a prognostic factor in the progression of metastatic breast cancer. We will also examine sleep patterns in association with disrupted circadian rhythms of cortisol, ACTH, and melatonin as well as measures of immune function known to be salient to breast cancer progression. These are natural killer cell cytoxicity and specific cytokine, IL-6. We plan to recruit 105 women 45 years through 75 years with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer and 20 age and SES-matched controls for a two-week at home sleep study with Actiwatch and two nights of in-home EEG monitoring, followed by 28 hours of continuous blood sampling and one night of EEG sleep monitoring in our lab at Stanford. This will provide a full examination of circadian hormones associated with sleep patterns. We will relate these assessments to the subsequent course of breast cancer progression. Results of this study will provide specific evidence regarding how improved sleep management may affect the course of breast cancer. Aim 1: To study 24-hr diurnal rhythms of HPA axis hormones and melatonin in women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. Hypothesis 1: Women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer will have reduced amplitude and disrupted phase of 24-hr diurnal rhythms of cortisol, ACTH, and melatonin. Aim 2: To describe sleep disruption in women with metastatic breast cancer and examine psychosocial, endocrine, and immune factors that may be associated with sleep disruption. Hypothesis 2: Women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer will have a higher incidence of both at home and laboratory-examined sleep disruption than control women without breast cancer. Hypothesis 3: Poorer sleep quality will be associated with more pain, more emotional suppression in response to stressors, less emotional support, greater depression and anxiety, and greater perceived and traumatic stress. Hypothesis 4: Poorer sleep quality and quantity of sleep and daytime sleepiness and fatigue will be associated with abnormal circadian neuroendocrine (i.e., cortisol, ACTH, and melatonin) and immune patterns (i.e., suppressed day and night time NK activity and loss of NK rhythms; increased day time IL-6 levels and /or loss of IL-6 rhythm). Aim 3: To study the relationship between sleep disruption and survival time among metastatic and recurrent breast cancer patients. Hypothesis 5: Poorer sleep quality and quantity of sleep will predict shorter survival. Hypothesis 6: Reduced diurnal amplitude and an abnormal phase of cortisol will predict shorter survival. Explanatory Aim 4: To investigate whether sleep disruption mediates the relation of psychosocial factors to health outcomes.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Bita Nouriani, (650) 723 - 8479.

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  • Stress, Diurnal Cortisol, and Breast Cancer Survival Not Recruiting

    The purpose of this study is to learn about the effects of stress on hormones, the relationship between these hormones and cancer progression.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Bita Nouriani, (650) 723 - 8479.

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  • Using Hypnosis to Help Children Undergoing a Difficult Medical Procedure Not Recruiting

    This study examined whether a hypnosis intervention, compared to standard care, could help reduce distress and pain for children undergoing an invasive medical procedure.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • COMT Activity and Hypnotizability Not Recruiting

    Hypnosis is an effective pain management tool for surgery that can reduce opioid use up to 40%. COMT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can predict pain sensitivity and opioid use perioperatively, and may also be associated with hypnotizability or response to hypnotic analgesia. Analyzing COMT haplotypes from DNA extracted from saliva or blood using a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) nanotechnology platform may be faster, less expensive, and at least as accurate as pyrosequencing. This study aims to validate a multi-SNP point-of-care (POC) GMR assay for the rapid genotyping of SNPs predictive of COMT activity, and test the feasibility of using COMT activity as a biomarker for hypnotizability and/or response to hypnotic analgesia.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jessie Kittle, MD, 800-000-0000.

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2023-24 Courses


All Publications


  • Tranceformation: Digital dissemination of hypnosis. Neuron Spiegel, D. 2024

    Abstract

    Hypnosis is an underutilized tool despite evidence of efficacy from randomized clinical trials. In this NeuroView, I discuss potential mechanisms in the context of brain networks and propose the use of app-based instruction in self-hypnosis.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.12.010

    View details for PubMedID 38262415

  • Dyadic Investigation of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Daily Sleep Health in Patients with Cancer and their Caregivers. Psychosomatic medicine Tsai, T. C., Mitchell, H. R., Zeitzer, J., Ting, A., Laurenceau, J. P., Spiegel, D., Kim, Y. 2024

    Abstract

    Cancer can be a traumatic experience affecting multidimensional aspects of sleep among patients and caregivers. This study examined the differential associations of cancer-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) with various sleep markers in this population.Patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer (n = 138, mean age = 56.93 years, 31.88% female, 60.14% Hispanic, 6.53 months post-diagnosis) and their sleep-partner caregivers (n = 138, mean age = 55.32 years, 68.12% female, 57.97% Hispanic) completed questionnaires assessing the four PTSS clusters (intrusion, avoidance, alterations in arousal and reactivity, negative alterations in cognitions and mood). Participants also completed daily sleep diaries for 14 consecutive days, from which sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep duration were derived.Actor-partner interdependence model revealed that caregivers' greater alterations in arousal and reactivity were associated with their own longer SOL (b = 14.54, p < .001) and their patients' longer sleep duration (b = 0.47, p = .040), whereas patients' arousal and reactivity were associated with their caregivers' shorter SOL (b = -8.34, p = .047) and WASO (b = -8.12, p = .019). Patients' and caregivers' greater negative alterations in cognitions and mood were associated with patients' longer SOL (b = 8.89, p = .016) and shorter sleep duration (b = -0.40, p = .038), respectively. Caregivers' greater intrusion was related to their own shorter SOL (b = -10.92, p = .002).The four PTSS clusters, particularly arousal and reactivity and negative cognitions and mood, have distinct associations with sleep markers individually and dyadically in patients and caregivers affected by cancer. Investigations of psychosocial and biobehavioral pathways underlying these relations are warranted. Tailored trauma treatments and sleep interventions may improve the well-being of this population.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001283

    View details for PubMedID 38345316

  • The Neural Separability of Emotion Reactivity and Regulation. Affective science Zhang, J. X., Dixon, M. L., Goldin, P. R., Spiegel, D., Gross, J. J. 2023; 4 (4): 617-629

    Abstract

    One foundational distinction in affective science is between emotion reactivity and regulation. This conceptual distinction has long been assumed to be instantiated in spatially separable brain systems (a typical example: amygdala/insula for reactivity and frontoparietal areas for regulation). In this research, we begin by reviewing previous findings that support and contradict the neural separability hypothesis concerning emotional reactivity and regulation. Further, we conduct a direct test of this hypothesis with empirical data. In five studies involving healthy and clinical samples (total n = 336), we assessed neural responses using fMRI while participants were asked to either react naturally or regulate their emotions (using reappraisal) while viewing emotionally evocative stimuli. Across five studies, we failed to find support for the neural separability hypothesis. In univariate analyses, both presumptive "reactivity" and "regulation" brain regions demonstrated equal or greater activation for the reactivity contrast than for the regulation contrast. In multivariate pattern analyses (MVPA), classifiers decoded reactivity (vs. neutral) trials more accurately than regulation (vs. reactivity) trials using multivoxel data in both presumptive "reactivity" and "regulation" regions. These findings suggest that emotion reactivity and regulation-as measured via fMRI-may not be as spatially separable in the brain as previously assumed. Our secondary whole-brain analyses revealed largely consistent results. We discuss the two theoretical possibilities regarding the neural separability hypothesis and offer thoughts for future research.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-023-00227-9.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s42761-023-00227-9

    View details for PubMedID 38156247

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10751283

  • Circadian, hormonal, and sleep rhythms: effects on cancer progression implications for treatment. Frontiers in oncology Jagielo, A. D., Benedict, C., Spiegel, D. 2023; 13: 1269378

    Abstract

    Circadian, hormonal, and sleep rhythm disruptions are commonly experienced concerns among cancer patients throughout the cancer care continuum. This review aims to summarize the existing literature on circadian, hormonal, and sleep rhythms in the oncological population, focusing on circadian disruption and physiological and psychological abnormalities, disease progression, and chronomodulated treatment approaches. The findings demonstrate that subjectively and objectively measured circadian rhythm disruption is associated with adverse mental health and disease outcomes in patients with cancer. Chronomodulated chemotherapy, light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and physical activity have shown evidence of effectiveness in improving sleep, and occasionally, disease outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fonc.2023.1269378

    View details for PubMedID 37746277

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10514358

  • Changing cancer mindsets: A randomized controlled feasibility and efficacy trial. Psycho-oncology Zion, S. R., Schapira, L., Berek, J. S., Spiegel, D., Dweck, C. S., Crum, A. J. 2023

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: A cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment can disrupt the full spectrum of physical, social, emotional, and functional quality of life. But existing psychological treatments are focused primarily on specific psychological symptoms as opposed to improving the overall patient experience. We studied the feasibility and efficacy of a novel digital intervention targeting patient mindsets-core assumptions about the nature and meaning of illness-designed to improve overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in newly diagnosed cancer patients undergoing treatment with curative intent.METHODS: Recently diagnosed (≤150days) adult patients with non-metastatic cancers undergoing systemic treatment (N=361) were recruited from across the United States to participate in this decentralized clinical trial. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive the Cancer Mindset Intervention (CMI) or Treatment as Usual (TAU). Participants in the CMI group completed seven online modules over 10weeks (2.5h total) targeting mindsets about cancer and the body. The primary outcome was overall HRQoL, and secondary outcomes were coping behaviors and symptom distress.RESULTS: Patients in the CMI group reported significant (p<0.001) improvements in adaptive mindsets about cancer and the body over time. Compared with the TAU condition, the CMI group reported significant improvements in overall HRQoL (B=0.60; 95% CI 0.34-0.85; p<0.001), increased engagement in adaptive coping behaviors (B=0.03; 95% CI 0.02-0.04; p<0.001), and reduced distress from physical symptoms (B=-0.29; 95% CI -0.44 to -0.14; p<0.01). Effect sizes of these changes ranged from d=0.42-d=0.54.CONCLUSION: A brief mindset-focused digital intervention was effective at improving physical, social, emotional, and functional HRQoL. increasing adaptive coping behaviors, and reducing physical symptom distress in newly diagnosed cancer patients.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.6194

    View details for PubMedID 37529924

  • Rest-activity rhythm as a clinical biomarker in cancer LANCET HEALTHY LONGEVITY Innominato, P. F., Wreglesworth, N., Karaboue, A., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. A. 2023; 4 (7): E304
  • Emotion regulation and choice of bilateral mastectomy for the treatment of unilateral breast cancer. Cancer medicine Zhang, J. X., Kurian, A. W., Jo, B., Nouriani, B., Neri, E., Gross, J. J., Spiegel, D. 2023

    Abstract

    There has been steadily increasing use of bilateral mastectomy (BMX) in the treatment of primary breast cancer (BC). In this study, we utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the influence of emotion regulation on the decision of newly diagnosed BC patients to choose BMX rather than non-BMX treatments.We recruited 123 women with unilateral BC, 61 of whom received BMX and 62 of whom received non-BMX treatments, and 39 healthy controls. While participants were in the fMRI scanner, we showed them BC-related and non-BC-negative images. In one condition, they were instructed to watch the images naturally. In another, they were instructed to regulate their negative emotion. We compared the fMRI signal during these conditions throughout the brain.With non-BC-negative images as the baseline, BC patients showed greater self-reported reactivity and neural reactivity to BC-related images in brain regions associated with self-reflection than did controls. Among the BC patients, the BMX group showed weaker activation in prefrontal emotion regulation brain regions during emotion regulation than did the non-BMX group.BC patients are understandably emotionally hyper-reactive to BC-related stimuli and those who ultimately received BMX experience more difficulty in regulating BC-related negative emotion than non-BMX BC patients. These findings offer neuropsychological evidence that difficulty in managing anxiety related to the possibility of cancer recurrence is a factor in surgical treatment decision-making and may be an intervention target with the goal of strengthening the management of cancer-related anxiety by nonsurgical means.NCT03050463.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cam4.5963

    View details for PubMedID 37083300

  • Real-Time Semi-Automated and Automated Voxel Placement using fMRI Targets for Repeated Acquisition Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Journal of neuroscience methods Bishop, J. H., Geoly, A., Khan, N., Tischler, C., Krueger, R., Keshava, P., Amin, H., Baltusis, L., Wu, H., Spiegel, D., Williams, N., Sacchet, M. D. 2023: 109853

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Currently, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is dependent on the investigative team to manually prescribe, or demarcate, the desired tissue volume-of-interest. The need for a new method to automate precise voxel placements is warranted to improve the utility and interpretability of MRS data.NEW METHOD: We propose and validate robust and real-time methods to automate MRS voxel placement using functionally defined coordinates within the prefrontal cortex. Data were collected and analyzed using two independent prospective studies: 1) two independent imaging days with each consisting of a multi-session sandwich design (MRS data only collected on one of the days determined based on scan time) and 2) a longitudinal design. Participants with fibromyalgia syndrome (N=50) and major depressive disorder (N=35) underwent neuroimaging. MRS acquisitions were acquired at 3-tesla. Evaluation of the reproducibility of spatial location and tissue segmentation was assessed for: 1) manual, 2) semi-automated, and 3) automated voxel prescription approaches RESULTS: Variability of voxel grey and white matter tissue composition was reduced using automated placement protocols. Spatially, post- to pre-voxel center-of-gravity distance was reduced and voxel overlap increased significantly across datasets using automated compared to manual procedures COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Manual prescription, the current standard in the field, can produce inconsistent data across repeated acquisitions. Using automated voxel placement, we found reduced variability and more consistent voxel placement across multiple acquisitions CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the within subject reliability and reproducibility of a method for reducing variability introduced by spatial inconsistencies during MRS acquisitions. The proposed method is a meaningful advance toward improved consistency of MRS data in neuroscience and can be utilized for multi-session and longitudinal studies.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109853

    View details for PubMedID 37031764

  • POSTER SESSION D: PILOT STUDY OF 'ROADMAP TO PARENTHOOD' DECISION AID AND PLANNING TOOL FOR FAMILY BUILDING AFTER CANCER Benedict, C., Simon, P., Spiegel, D., Kurian, A. W., Alvero, R., Berek, J. S., Philip, E. J., Schapira, L. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2023: S533
  • Changing Cancer Mindsets: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility and Efficacy Trial Zion, S., Schapira, L., Berek, J., Spiegel, D., Dweck, C., Crum, A. WILEY. 2023: 17
  • Point of care testing of enzyme polymorphisms for predicting hypnotizability and postoperative pain. The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD Cortade, D. L., Markovits, J., Spiegel, D., Wang, S. X. 2023

    Abstract

    Hypnotizability is a stable trait that moderates the benefit of hypnosis for treating pain, but limited availability of hypnotizability testing deters widespread use of hypnosis. Inexpensive genotyping of 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) gene was performed using giant magnetoresistive biosensors to determine if hypnotizable individuals can be identified for targeted hypnosis referrals. For individuals with the proposed 'optimal' COMT diplotypes, 89.5% score highly on the Hypnotic Induction Profile (OR = 6.12, 95%CI = 1.26-28.75), which identified 40.5% of the treatable population. Mean hypnotizability scores of the optimal group were significantly higher than the total population (p = 0.015 effect size = 0.60), an effect that was present in females (p = 0.0015, effect size = 0.83), but not in males (p = 0.28). In an exploratory cohort, optimal individuals also reported significantly higher postoperative pain scores (p = 0.00030, effect size = 1.93), indicating a greater need for treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.01.002

    View details for PubMedID 36702396

  • Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell reports. Medicine Balban, M. Y., Neri, E., Kogon, M. M., Weed, L., Nouriani, B., Jo, B., Holl, G., Zeitzer, J. M., Spiegel, D., Huberman, A. D. 2023: 100895

    Abstract

    Controlled breathwork practices have emerged as potential tools for stress management and well-being. Here, we report a remote, randomized, controlled study (NCT05304000) of three different daily 5-min breathwork exercises compared with an equivalent period of mindfulness meditation over 1 month. The breathing conditions are (1) cyclic sighing, which emphasizes prolonged exhalations; (2) box breathing, which is equal duration of inhalations, breath retentions, and exhalations; and (3) cyclic hyperventilation with retention, with longer inhalations and shorter exhalations. The primary endpoints are improvement in mood and anxiety as well as reduced physiological arousal (respiratory rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability). Using a mixed-effects model, we show that breathwork, especially the exhale-focused cyclic sighing, produces greater improvement in mood (p < 0.05) and reduction in respiratory rate (p < 0.05) compared with mindfulness meditation. Daily 5-min cyclic sighing has promise as an effective stress management exercise.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100895

    View details for PubMedID 36630953

  • Marital status and survival in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer medicine Krajc, K., Mirosevic, S., Sajovic, J., Klemenc Ketis, Z., Spiegel, D., Drevensek, G., Drevensek, M. 2022

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little is known about which types of social support promote better survival rates, and which subgroups of cancer patients are more susceptible to the benefits of it. The aim of this study was to identify, organize, and examine studies reporting on the significance of social support in cancer survival.METHODS: The PubMed, CINAHL and EBSCO databases were searched using the keywords social support/marital status, cancer, and survival/mortality. Where possible we used a meta-analytical approach, specifically a random effect model, in order to combine the results of the hazard ratios in studies from which this information could be obtained. When interpreting clinical relevance, we used the number needed to treat (NNT).RESULTS: Better survival was observed in married patients when compared to unmarried (single, never-married, divorced/separated, and widowed) in overall and cancer-specific survival. Gender group differences showed that the association was statistically significant only in cancer-specific survival when comparing divorced/separated male and female cancer patients (p<0.001), thus confirming results from the previous meta-analysis.CONCLUSIONS: Being unmarried is associated with significantly worse overall and cancer-specific survival. The most vulnerable group found in our study were divorced/separated men. The results of this review can motivate physicians, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals to be aware of the importance of patients' social support, especially in the identified sub-group.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cam4.5003

    View details for PubMedID 35789072

  • Effects of hypnosis versus enhanced standard of care on postoperative opioid use after total knee arthroplasty: the HYPNO-TKA randomized clinical trial. Regional anesthesia and pain medicine Markovits, J., Blaha, O., Zhao, E., Spiegel, D. 2022

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Hypnosis decreases perioperative pain and has opioid-sparing potential but has not been rigorously studied in knee arthroplasty. This trial investigates the impact of perioperative hypnosis on inpatient opioid use following total knee arthroplasty.METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at a single academic medical center. The hypnosis arm underwent a scripted 10min hypnosis session prior to surgery and had access to the recorded script. The control arm received hypnosis education only. The primary outcome was opioid use in milligram oral morphine equivalents per 24 hours during hospital admission. A secondary analysis was performed for patients taking opioids preoperatively.RESULTS: 64 primary knee arthroplasty patients were randomized 1:1 to hypnosis (n=31) versus control (n=33) and included in the intent-to-treat analysis. The mean (SD) postoperative opioid use in oral morphine equivalents per 24 hours was 70.5 (48.4) in the hypnosis versus 90.7 (74.4) in the control arm, a difference that was not statistically significant (difference -20.1; 95% CI -51.8 to 11.4; p=0.20). In the subgroup analysis of the opioid-experienced patients, there was a 54% daily reduction in opioid use in the hypnosis group (82.4 (56.2) vs 179.1 (74.5) difference of -96.7; 95% CI -164.4 to -29.0; p=<0.01), equivalent to sparing 65mg of oxycodone per day.CONCLUSION: Perioperative hypnosis significantly reduced inpatient opioid use among opioid-experienced patients only. A larger study examining these findings is warranted.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03308071.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/rapm-2022-103493

    View details for PubMedID 35715013

  • CARDIOVASCULAR COREGULATION TO A SERIES OF ACUTE INTERPERSONAL STRESSORS: INNOVATIVE METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO STUDYING REGULATION TO A CHRONIC ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY Moulder, R., Tsai, T. C., Hurwitz, B., Spiegel, D., Kim, Y. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2022: A38
  • Development of a Web-Based Decision Aid and Planning Tool for Family Building After Cancer (Roadmap to Parenthood): Usability Testing. JMIR cancer Benedict, C., Dauber-Decker, K. L., Ford, J. S., King, D., Spiegel, D., Schapira, L., Simon, P., Diefenbach, M. 2022; 8 (2): e33304

    Abstract

    Owing to gonadotoxic cancer treatments, young adult female survivors often report uncertainty about their fertility, reproductive potential, and family-building options after treatment. Roadmap to Parenthood is a web-based decision aid and planning tool for family building after cancer.As part of a patient-centered development process, this study evaluated the usability of the decision aid website to inform design modifications and improve user experience.In total, 2 rounds of usability testing were conducted with the target population of young adult female cancer survivors. During the testing sessions, participants viewed the website twice; first, as a think-aloud exercise, and second, while a researcher interrupted at key points to obtain user feedback. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to assess website usability. Quantitative measures included the System Usability Scale, WebQual, and eHealth Impact Questionnaire. An exit interview with open-ended questions gathered feedback on likes and dislikes and suggestions for improvement.Participants (N=10) were young adult women, with average age of 30.9 (SD 4.51) years, and average time since treatment was 4.44 (SD 3.56) years. Website usability scores improved on the System Usability Scale from "acceptable" in round 1 to "excellent" in round 2 after making design changes based on user feedback (scores of 68 and 89.4, respectively). WebQual scores showed similar improvement from round 1 to round 2 of testing (mean 5.6 to 6.25; range 1-7). On the eHealth Impact Questionnaire, the information and presentation of the website was perceived as comprehensive, easy to understand, and trustworthy. Participants also reported improved confidence to discuss and manage fertility and family-building issues and felt encouraged to play a more active role in managing their fertility. In all, 3 usability themes were identified from the qualitative feedback: ease of use, visibility and navigation, and informational content and usefulness. Overall feedback was positive, and participants reported intentions to use the decision aid website in the future. In total, 10% (1/10) of the participants reported negative emotions when learning about infertility risks and potential family-building challenges.Website usability improved after design changes were made in response to user feedback. Young adult female survivors reported positive views about the website and indicated that the decision aid would be useful in decision-making about family building after cancer. Future studies will include further design modifications to consider the emotional experiences of users and any additional navigational features or content to optimize the ease of use and support provided by the tool.

    View details for DOI 10.2196/33304

    View details for PubMedID 35639461

  • The longitudinal effects of chronotype on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Journal of psychosomatic research Jung, S., Son, K., Jung, S., Moon, J. Y., Oh, G. H., Yeom, C., Lee, K., Kim, W., Jung, D., Kim, T., Im, S., Lee, K., Spiegel, D., Hahm, B. 2022; 157: 110804

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: The object of this longitudinal cohort study was to investigate whether chronotype affects the incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among patients with breast cancer.METHODS: The study included a total of 203 breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy using a regimen of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide with high emetogenicity. Patients received four cycles of chemotherapy in approximately three months. Patients completed questionnaires including the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) before the first chemotherapy and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Antiemesis Tool (MAT) after each of the four chemotherapy sessions. To confirm the effect of chronotype on CINV during the four cycles, we performed statistical analyses using a generalized estimating equation (GEE).RESULTS: CINV occurred in 108 (53.2%), 112 (55.2%), 102 (50.3%), and 62 (30.5%) patients during four cycles of treatment. In the GEE approach, late and early chronotypes (vs. intermediate chronotype) were associated with an increased risk of CINV (late chronotype: odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-2.99; p<0.001, early chronotype: OR, 1.84; CI, 1.25-2.73; p=0.002), which remained significant even after adjusting for age, BMI, antiemetic treatment, history of nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and sleep quality.CONCLUSION: Chronotype affected CINV across the four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer, suggesting the need to consider chronotype in predicting and managing CINV.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.110804

    View details for PubMedID 35381494

  • Morning Chronotype Decreases the Risk of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Women With Breast Cancer. Journal of Korean medical science Son, K., Jung, D., Lee, K., Yeom, C., Oh, G. H., Kim, T., Im, S., Lee, K., Spiegel, D., Hahm, B. 2022; 37 (5): e34

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: The purpose of this longitudinal prospective cohort study was to investigate the role of chronotype in the incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) among women with breast cancer.METHODS: We recruited women with breast cancer awaiting adjuvant chemotherapy, including four cycles of docetaxel. Participants reported peripheral neuropathy symptoms of numbness/tingling at the baseline, and at 4weeks after completion of chemotherapy. Candidate psychiatric factors associated with CIPN were assessed at the baseline, using the Composite Scale of Morningness, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. To examine the association between chronotype and CIPN, we built logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and other psychiatric variables.RESULTS: Among 48 participants, 29 participants developed CIPN. The morning chronotype was inversely associated with CIPN (odds ratio, 0.06; confidence interval, 0.01-0.74; P = 0.028) after adjusting for age, BMI, education, type of operation, alcohol use, smoking, sleep quality, depression, and anxiety.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the morning chronotype is a protective factor against the development of CIPN in patients with breast cancer who were treated with docetaxel.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01887925.

    View details for DOI 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e34

    View details for PubMedID 35132840

  • Altered Neurochemical Ratio in the Prefrontal Cortex is Associated With Pain in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Bishop, J., Faerman, A., Geoly, A., Maron-Katz, A., Sacchet, M., Spiegel, D., Williams, N. SPRINGERNATURE. 2021: 163
  • Hypnotic predictors of agency: Responsiveness to specific suggestions in hypnosis is associated with involuntariness in fibromyalgia. Consciousness and cognition Faerman, A., Stimpson, K. H., Bishop, J. H., Neri, E., Phillips, A., Gulser, M., Amin, H., Nejad, R., Fotros, A., Williams, N. R., Spiegel, D. 2021; 96: 103221

    Abstract

    Hypnosis is associated with alterations in the sense of agency which can play a role in its utilization as a nonpharmacological option for pain management. The goal of the current study was to examine the relationships between responsiveness to suggestions in hypnosis and alterations of the sense of agency among patients with fibromyalgia. Ninety-eight participants with fibromyalgia underwent two hypnotizability assessments followed by the Sense of Agency Rating Scale. Clinical pain measures were also collected. Involuntariness was predicted by responsiveness to control, ideomotor, and dissociation suggestions. Effortlessness was predicted by responsiveness to control and ideomotor suggestions, and age. Hypnotizability was associated with main clinical pain outcomes, but agency alterations were not. Results suggest a shared mechanism between responsiveness to specific suggestions and the sense of agency in hypnosis. We discuss theoretical and clinical implications for pain management and the need for further research.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.concog.2021.103221

    View details for PubMedID 34695719

  • Impact of assessment frequency of patient-reported outcomes: an observational study using an eHealth platform in cancer patients. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Innominato, P. F., Komarzynski, S., Dallmann, R., Wreglesworth, N. I., Bouchahda, M., Karaboue, A., Ulusakarya, A., Subbe, C. P., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. A. 2021

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND AND AIM: The evaluation of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in cancer has proven relevant positive clinical impact on patients' communication with healthcare professionals, decision-making for management, well-being, and overall survival. However, the optimal frequency of PRO assessment has yet to be defined. Based on the assumption that more frequent sampling would enhance accuracy, we aimed at identifying the optimal sampling frequency that does not miss clinically relevant insight.METHODS: We used pilot data from 31 advanced cancer patients who completed once daily the 19-item MD Anderson Symptom Inventory at home. The resulting dataset allowed us to compare different PRO assessment frequencies to daily sampling, i.e., alternate days (q2d), every third day (q3d), or once a week (q1w). We evaluated the sampling frequencies for two main outcomes: average symptom intensity and identification of severe symptoms.RESULTS: The majority of the differences between corresponding averages of daily data and those for q2d, q3d, and q1w datasets were close to 0, yet the extremes exceeded 5. Clinically meaningful differences, i.e.,>1, were observed in 0.76% of patient items for q2d, in 2.72% for q3d, and in 11.93% for q1w. Moreover, median values of missed instances of a severe symptom (i.e.,>6) were 14.6% for q2d, 27.8% for q3d, and 55.6% for q1w.CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that in patients receiving chemotherapy for advanced cancer, increasing the density of PRO collection enhances the accuracy of PRO assessment to a clinically meaningful extent. This is valid for both computations of averages symptom burden and for the recognition of episodes of severe symptom intensity.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-021-06262-1

    View details for PubMedID 33963910

  • FEASIBILITY OF HYPNOSIS AS ADJUNCTIVE TREATMENT FOR SUBJECTIVE SLEEP DISTURBANCE: A PILOT STUDY AND PROOF OF CONCEPT Zhao, E., Faerman, A., Spiegel, D. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2021: A140-A141
  • Shared cognitive mechanisms of hypnotizability with executive functioning and information salience. Scientific reports Faerman, A., Spiegel, D. 2021; 11 (1): 5704

    Abstract

    In recent years, evidence linked hypnotizability to the executive control and information salience networks, brain structures that play a role in cognitive conflict resolution and perseveration (insisting on applying a previously learned logical rule on a new set). Despite the growing body of neuroimaging evidence, the cognitive phenotype of hypnotizability is not well understood. We hypothesized that higher hypnotizability would correspond to lower perseveration and set-shifting. Seventy-two healthy adults were tested for hypnotizability and executive functions (perseveration and set-shifting). Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the relationship between hypnotizability and perseveration and set-shifting. Higher hypnotizability was associated with lower perseveration after accounting for age and education. Hypnotizability significantly predicted perseveration but not set-shifting. Our results indicate an inverse relationship between trait hypnotizability and perseveration, an executive function that utilizes regions of both the executive control and the salience systems. This suggests that hypnotizability may share a common cognitive mechanism with error evaluation and implementation of logical rules.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-84954-8

    View details for PubMedID 33707531

  • Testing Hypnotizability by Phone: Development and Validation of the Remote Hypnotic Induction Profile (rHIP). The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Kittle, J., Zhao, E., Stimpson, K., Weng, Y., Spiegel, D. 2021; 69 (1): 94–111

    Abstract

    Standard hypnotizability scales require physical contact or direct observation by tester and participant. The authors addressed this limitation by developing and testing the remote Hypnotic Induction Profile (rHIP), a hypnotizability test derived from the Hypnotic Induction Profile that is completed by telephone. To assess the validity of the rHIP, 56 volunteers naive to hypnotizability testing completed both the HIP and the rHIP, with order of testing randomized. Results indicate a strong correlation between HIP and rHIP scores, r s=.71(0.53-0.84), p <.0001, and good concordance, difference=.03(-0.53, 0.59), p =.91, independent of testing order. The rHIP had few complications. Possible advantages of using the rHIP include improving patient expectancy prior to scheduling a hypnosis session, increasing access to hypnotizability testing for remote interventions, and obviating resource-intensive in-person hypnotizability screening for trials that exclude subjects with certain scores.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2021.1827937

    View details for PubMedID 33513064

  • When Physicians Engage in Practices That Threaten the Nation's Health. JAMA Pizzo, P. A., Spiegel, D. n., Mello, M. M. 2021

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jama.2021.0122

    View details for PubMedID 33538765

  • The Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) in Clinical Practice and Research. The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Alexander, J. E., Stimpson, K. H., Kittle, J., Spiegel, D. 2021; 69 (1): 72–82

    Abstract

    The Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) was developed as a brief, yet thorough, assessment of a person's level of trait hypnotizability and their potential to experience a hypnotic state. The HIP quantitatively and qualitatively measures hynotizability by evaluating biological and sensorimotor experiences designed to assess 3 fundamental observable and measurable components of hypnosis: absorption, dissociation, and suggestibility through a guided assessment that takes 5 to 10minutes. From conception, the HIP has been utilized in clinical settings to assess appropriateness for the use of hypnosis in treatment planning and research protocols to stratify research participants. The brevity, accessibility, and reliability of the HIP have allowed it to adapt, not only across settings but through media platforms as technology and remote delivery become increasingly incorporated in the field of hypnosis.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2021.1836646

    View details for PubMedID 33513067

  • Posthypnotic Amnesia in Hypnotizability Assessment: Validation of a New Scoring System for the Hypnotic Induction Profile. The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Faerman, A., Spiegel, D. 2021; 69 (1): 83–93

    Abstract

    The Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) is a standardized assessment of hypnotizability featuring a validated 0-10 scoring system, that does not factor in posthypnotic amnesia. Using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), we compared the 10-point scoring system with a new 12-point system that includes the posthypnotic amnesia item in independent samples of individuals with fibromyalgia (n =98) and healthy adults (n =97). Additionally, we explored associations of the two scoring systems with measures of hypnotic phenomena. CFA results indicate that the 12-point scoring system is a good fit for the 1-factor model of hypnotizability. Posthypnotic amnesia loaded highly on the model in the fibromyalgia sample, and moderately on the model in healthy adults. Furthermore, the 12-point scoring system correlated significantly with measures of hypnotic phenomena. We conclude that the 12-point scoring system is psychometrically equivalent yet conceptually more comprehensive than the 10-point scoring system.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2021.1834860

    View details for PubMedID 33513058

  • Hypnosis: The Most Effective Treatment You Have Yet to Prescribe. The American journal of medicine Kittle, J., Spiegel, D. 2020

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.10.010

    View details for PubMedID 33171103

  • Identification With the Aggressor and Inward and Outward Aggression in Abuse Survivors. Journal of interpersonal violence Lahav, Y., Allende, S., Talmon, A., Ginzburg, K., Spiegel, D. 2020: 886260520938516

    Abstract

    Childhood abuse survivors may display both inward and outward aggression manifested in self-injurious behavior (SIB) and violent acts toward others. Scrutinizing the literature reveals that the relational dynamics between victims and their perpetrators might be involved in these phenomena. Yet, research on this subject matter has been sparse. Filling this gap, this study investigated the contribution of the singular bonds between victims and their perpetrators, known as identification with the aggressor, in explaining survivors' aggression. The study was conducted among 306 Israeli college/university students who reported a history of childhood abuse. Results revealed that levels of adopting the perpetrator's experience, identifying with the perpetrator's aggression, and replacing one's agency with that of the perpetrator were significantly associated with survivors' inward and outward aggression. Moreover, profile type-that is, having high versus low levels of identification with the aggressor-was implicated in participants' SIBs, urge to harm others, and violent acts toward others, above and beyond the effects of gender and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The present findings suggest that identification with the aggressor might make survivors prone to the re-enactment of past abusive dynamics, which, in turn, could eventuate in aggression toward themselves and others.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0886260520938516

    View details for PubMedID 32659159

  • Inviting Scientific Discourse on Traumatic Dissociation: Progress Made and Obstacles to Further Resolution PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW Dalenberg, C. J., Brand, B. L., Loewenstein, R. J., Frewen, P. A., Spiegel, D. 2020
  • DO RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS DIFFER BY RECRUITMENT SOURCE?OBSERVATIONS FROM A STUDY OF NEWLY-DIAGNOSED BREAST CANCER PATIENTS Agrawal, A., Benedict, C., Nouriani, B., Medina, J., Kurian, A. W., Spiegel, D. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: S75
  • International Prevalence and Correlates of Psychological Stress during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic. International journal of environmental research and public health Adamson, M. M., Phillips, A. n., Seenivasan, S. n., Martinez, J. n., Grewal, H. n., Kang, X. n., Coetzee, J. n., Luttenbacher, I. n., Jester, A. n., Harris, O. A., Spiegel, D. n. 2020; 17 (24)

    Abstract

    This study reports perceived stress and associated sociodemographic factors from an international sample of adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) along with socio-demographic questions were conducted between 8 April 2020 and 11 May 2020. The survey was translated from English into five languages. Recruitment was conducted worldwide using social media. A total of 1685 survey responses were collected across 57 countries with eleven countries (≥30 responses/country) included in the sub-analyses. Overall, the mean PSS-10 score was 19.08 (SD = 7.17), reflecting moderate stress compared to previously reported norms. Female gender was associated with a higher PSS score (3.03, p < 0.05) as well as four-year degree holders (3.29, p < 0.05), while adults over 75 years (-7.46, p < 0.05) had lower PSS scores. Personal care composite score (including hours of sleep, exercise, and meditation) was associated with lower PSS scores (-0.39, p < 0.01). Increases in personal care and changes in work expectations were associated with lower PSS scores (-1.30 (p < 0.05) and -0.38 (p < 0.01), respectively). Lower total PSS scores were reported in Germany (-4.82, p < 0.01) compared to the global response sample mean. This information, collected during the initial period of global mitigation orders, provides insight into potential mental health risks and protective factors during crises.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/ijerph17249248

    View details for PubMedID 33321950

  • Evening salivary cortisol as a single stress marker in women with metastatic breast cancer. Psychoneuroendocrinology Allende, S. n., Medina, J. L., Spiegel, D. n., Zeitzer, J. M. 2020; 115: 104648

    Abstract

    Flattened diurnal salivary cortisol patterns predict shorter subsequent survival with breast, lung, and renal cell carcinomas. The underlying cause of this flattened slope is undetermined, though it has been hypothesized to be secondary to a deficit in the amplitude of the circadian clock. To gain greater insight into the portions of the diurnal salivary curve that are associated with cancer survival, we examined (1) which points in the diurnal curve are predictive of the slope of the curve and (2) whether elevated evening cortisol levels alone are associated with reduced HPA-axis feedback inhibition (i.e., decreased sensitivity to the dexamethasone suppression test).We examined study hypotheses on adult women with advanced breast cancer (age = 54.3 ± 9.58 years; n = 99) using non-parametric Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests, Spearman correlation coefficients and an accuracy formula based on a confusion matrix. Cortisol was sampled five times per day for three consecutive days, with dexamethasone administered late on the second day.Salivary cortisol concentrations did not vary between those with flat and steep slopes during the morning (p's > .05), but did vary in the evening (p's < 0.05). Furthermore, the concentration of the 2100h alone was 86% accurate in discriminating between individuals classified as having "flat" or "steep" slopes. Dexamethasone suppression was only associated with diurnal salivary cortisol slope (p = .0042).Evening cortisol levels are a sensitive indicator flattened diurnal cortisol slope, suggesting evening cortisol may also be a useful predictor of breast cancer survival. Future research should focus on determining the causes of abnormally increased evening cortisol.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104648

    View details for PubMedID 32171899

  • Brain and Physiological Markers of Autonomic Function Are Associated With Treatment-Related Improvements in Self-Reported Autonomic Dysfunction in Veterans With Gulf War Illness: An Exploratory Pilot Study. Global advances in health and medicine Mathersul, D. C., Eising, C. M., DeSouza, D. D., Spiegel, D., Bayley, P. J. 2020; 9: 2164956120922812

    Abstract

    Background: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a poorly understood condition characterized by a constellation of mood, cognitive, and physical symptoms. A growing body of evidence demonstrates autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Few published treatment studies exist for GWI.Method: We recently completed a randomized controlled trial comparing a 10-week group yoga intervention to 10-week group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for veterans with GWI. Here, we present exploratory data on ANS biomarkers of treatment response from a small pilot exploratory neurophysiological add-on study (n=13) within that larger study.Results: Findings suggest that veterans with GWI receiving either yoga or CBT for pain improved following treatment and that changes in biological ANS-especially for the yoga group-moved in the direction of healthy profiles: lower heart rate, higher square root of the mean squared differences between successive R-R intervals (RMSSD), greater parasympathetic activation/dominance (increased high-frequency heart rate variability [HF-HRV], decreased low-frequency/high-frequency [LF/HF] ratio), reduced right amygdala volume, and stronger amygdala-default mode/amygdala-salience network connectivity, both immediately posttreatment and at 6-month follow-up. Biological mechanisms of CBT appeared to underlie improvements in more psychologically loaded symptoms such as self-reported fatigue and energy. Higher tonic arousal and/or more sympathetic dominance (higher skin conductance, lower RMSSD, lower HF-HRV, higher LF/HF ratio) pretreatment predicted greater treatment-related improvements in self-reported ANS for both the yoga and CBT group.Conclusion: These exploratory pilot data provide preliminary support for the suggestion that treatment (yoga, CBT) is associated with improvements in both biological and self-reported ANS dysfunctions in GWI. The major limitation for these findings is the small sample size. Larger and more controlled studies are needed to replicate these findings and directly compare biomarkers of yoga versus CBT.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/2164956120922812

    View details for PubMedID 32426178

  • Wrangling with p-values versus effect sizes to improve medical decision-making: A tutorial. The International journal of eating disorders Kraemer, H. C., Neri, E. n., Spiegel, D. n. 2020

    Abstract

    The most pervasive and damaging myth in clinical research is that the smaller the p-value, the stronger the hypothesis. In reality, the p-value primarily reflects the quality of research design decisions. The most common proposal to avoid misleading conclusions from clinical research requires the appropriate use of effect sizes, but which effect size, used when and how, is an open question. A solution is proposed for perhaps the most common problem in clinical research, the comparison between two populations, for example, comparison of two treatments in a randomized clinical trial or comparison of high risk versus low risk individuals in an epidemiological study: the success rate difference or equivalently the number needed to treat/take (NNT).

    View details for DOI 10.1002/eat.23216

    View details for PubMedID 31922284

  • Association between Anterior Cingulate Neurochemical Concentration and Individual Differences in Hypnotizability. Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) DeSouza, D. D., Stimpson, K. H., Baltusis, L. n., Sacchet, M. D., Gu, M. n., Hurd, R. n., Wu, H. n., Yeomans, D. C., Willliams, N. n., Spiegel, D. n. 2020

    Abstract

    Hypnosis is the oldest form of Western psychotherapy and a powerful evidence-based treatment for numerous disorders. Hypnotizability is variable between individuals; however, it is a stable trait throughout adulthood, suggesting that neurophysiological factors may underlie hypnotic responsiveness. One brain region of particular interest in functional neuroimaging studies of hypnotizability is the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Here, we examined the relationships between the neurochemicals, GABA, and glutamate, in the ACC and hypnotizability in healthy individuals. Participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session, whereby T1-weighted anatomical and MEGA-PRESS spectroscopy scans were acquired. Voxel placement over the ACC was guided by a quantitative meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies of hypnosis. Hypnotizability was assessed using the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP), and self-report questionnaires to assess absorption (TAS), dissociation (DES), and negative affect were completed. ACC GABA concentration was positively associated with HIP scores such that the higher the GABA concentration, the more hypnotizable an individual. An exploratory analysis of questionnaire subscales revealed a negative relationship between glutamate and the absorption and imaginative involvement subscale of the DES. These results provide a putative neurobiological basis for individual differences in hypnotizability and can inform our understanding of treatment response to this growing psychotherapeutic tool.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/cercor/bhz332

    View details for PubMedID 32108220

  • Reenacting Past Abuse - Identification with the Aggressor and Sexual Revictimization JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION Lahav, Y., Talmon, A., Ginzburg, K., Spiegel, D. 2019; 20 (4): 378–91
  • Morning chronotype is a protective factor against chemotherapy-induced hot flashes in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Son, K., Jung, D., Lee, K., Hwang, H., Lee, J., Kim, T., Im, S., Lee, K., Spiegel, D., Hahm, B. 2019

    Abstract

    PURPOSE: Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer often causes hot flashes, impairing quality of life. However, the chronobiological or psychiatric factors associated with the development of chemotherapy-induced hot flashes (CIHFs) remain undetermined. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chronotype was associated with the incidence of CIHFs.METHODS: A total of 119 premenopausal women with non-metastatic breast cancer awaiting adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery without hot flashes were included. The presence of CIHF was defined as having moderate to severe hot flashes, as measured by the subscale of hot flashes in the Menopause Rating Scale, at 4weeks after the completion of chemotherapy. Chronotype (Morning/Intermediate/Evening) was assessed with the Composite Scale of Morningness before adjuvant chemotherapy. To examine the association between chronotype and CIHF, we built logistic regression models, adjusting for age, body mass index, sleep quality, and radiation therapy.RESULTS: CIHF occurred in 50.4% of participants. Morning type was inversely associated with CIHF (reference: Intermediate type, odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.94; p=0.040) in the univariate model, and the association remained significant (OR, 0.37; CI, 0.13-0.96; p=0.045) after adjusting for age, body mass index, sleep quality, and radiation therapy.CONCLUSIONS: Morning chronotype is a protective factor against the development of CIHF in patients with breast cancer. Chronotypes should be assessed and considered in the prediction and management of CIHF.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-019-04949-0

    View details for PubMedID 31264189

  • The Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Interview (DSP-I): Development and Psychometric Properties. Journal of trauma & dissociation : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD) Eidhof, M. B., Ter Heide, F. J., van Der Aa, N., Schreckenbach, M., Schmidt, U., Brand, B. L., Lanius, R. A., Loewenstein, R. J., Spiegel, D., Vermetten, E. 2019: 1–18

    Abstract

    The inclusion of the dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-DS) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) reflects the importance of assessing PTSD-DS. We developed the Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Interview (DSP-I). This clinician-administered instrument assesses the presence and severity of PTSD-DS (i.e., symptoms of depersonalization or derealization) and contains a supplementary checklist that enables assessment and differentiation of other trauma-related dissociative symptoms (i.e., blanking out, emotional numbing, alterations in sensory perception, amnesia, and identity confusion). The psychometric properties were tested in 131 treatment-seeking individuals with PTSD and histories of multiple trauma, 17.6 % of whom met criteria for PTSD-DS in accordance with the DSP-I. The checklist was tested in 275 treatment-seeking individuals. Results showed the DSP-I to have high internal consistency, good convergent validity with PTSD-DS items of the CAPS-5, and good divergent validity with scales of somatization, anxiety and depression. The depersonalization and derealization scales were highly associated. Moreover, the DSP-I accounted for an additional variance in PTSD severity scores of 8% over and above the CAPS-5 and number of traumatic experiences. The dissociative experiences of the checklist were more strongly associated with scales of overall distress, somatization, depression, and anxiety than scales of depersonalization and derealization. In conclusion, the DSP-I appears to be a clinically relevant and psychometrically sound instrument that is valuable for use in clinical and research settings.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/15299732.2019.1597806

    View details for PubMedID 31132959

  • PROTEOMIC BIOMARKERS OF CIRCADIAN TIME Ambati, A., Lin, L., Zitting, K., Duffy, J. F., Zeitzer, J., Spiegel, D., Czeisler, C. A., Mignot, E. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2019
  • Reenacting Past Abuse - Identification with the Aggressor and Sexual Revictimization. Journal of trauma & dissociation : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD) Lahav, Y., Talmon, A., Ginzburg, K., Spiegel, D. 2019: 1–14

    Abstract

    Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) poses a risk for sexual revictimization. Additionally, according to theory CSA may lead to identification with the aggressor, expressed by adopting the perpetrator's experience concerning the abuse; identifying with the perpetrator's aggression; replacing one's agency with that of the perpetrator; and becoming hyper-sensitive to the perpetrator. Although clinical impressions suggest that identification with the aggressor underlies reenactment of trauma, this linkage between identification with the aggressor and sexual revictimization remains largely uninvestigated. This study assessed (a) the relationship between identification with the aggressor (total score and four subscales) and sexual revictimization; (b) the unique associations between identification with the aggressor (total score and four subscales) and sexual revictimization, above and beyond chronicity of abuse and PTSD symptoms. Participants were Israeli women students who reported a history of CSA (n=174). Analyses indicated significant correlations between two subscales of identification with the aggressor - replacing one's agency with that of the perpetrator and becoming hyper-sensitive to the perpetrator - and sexual revictimization. These subscales of identification with the aggressor were associated with sexual revictimization, above and beyond the effects of chronicity of the abuse and PTSD symptoms. Nevertheless, these associations were in opposite directions - while replacing one's agency with that of the perpetrator was related with higher occurrence of sexual revictimization, becoming hyper-sensitive to the perpetrator was related with lower levels of revictimization. These results imply that identification with the aggressor may serve as a multifaceted phenomenon in the context of sexual revictimization, comprised of both adaptive and maladaptive aspects.

    View details for PubMedID 30734655

  • Family-building decision aid and planning tool for young adult women after cancer treatment: protocol for preliminary testing of a web-based decision support intervention in a single-arm pilot study. BMJ open Benedict, C. n., Ford, J. S., Schapira, L. n., Simon, P. n., Spiegel, D. n., Diefenbach, M. n. 2019; 9 (12): e033630

    Abstract

    Many young adult female (YA-F) cancer survivors who received gonadotoxic therapy will experience fertility problems. After cancer, having a child will often require assisted reproductive technology (ART), surrogacy or adoption. However, there are significant informational, psychosocial, financial and logistical barriers to pursuing these options. Survivors report high rates of decision uncertainty and distress related to family-building decisions. The aim of this study is to pilot test a web-based decision aid and planning tool for family-building after cancer.The pilot study will use a single-arm trial design to test the feasibility and acceptability (aim 1) and obtain effect size estimates of the decision support intervention (aim 2). The target sample size is 100. Participants will include YA-F survivors (aged 18-45 years) who are post-treatment and have not completed desired family-building. A longitudinal prepost design will be conducted. Participants will complete three psychosocial assessment surveys over a 3-month time period to track decisional conflict (primary outcome) and cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning (secondary outcomes). After completing the baseline survey (T1; pre-intervention), participants will have access to the decision aid website. Postintervention surveys will be administered at 1-month (T2) and 3-month (T3) follow-up time points. Feasibility and acceptability metrics will be analysed. Pairwise t-tests will test mean scores of outcome variables from T1 to T2. Effect size estimates (Cohen's d) will be calculated. Google analytics will evaluate user engagement with the website over the study period. Baseline and follow-up data will examine measures of feasibility, acceptability and intervention effect size.This will be the first test of a supportive intervention to guide YA-F cancer survivors in family-building decisions and early planning. Study findings will inform intervention development. Future directions will include a randomised controlled trial to test intervention efficacy over a longer time period.NCT04059237; Pre-results.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033630

    View details for PubMedID 31888941

  • Dissociative Disorders AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION PUBLISHING TEXTBOOK OF PSYCHIATRY, 7TH EDITION Maldonado, J. R., Spiegel, D., Roberts, L. W. 2019: 437–74
  • "Not just another meta-analysis": Sources of heterogeneity in psychosocial treatment effect on cancer survival. Cancer medicine Mirosevic, S., Jo, B., Kraemer, H. C., Ershadi, M., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. 2019

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Currently, there are eight meta-analyses that address the question whether psychosocial intervention can prolong survival with widely disparate conclusions. One reason for inconsistent findings may be the methods by which previous meta-analyses were conducted.METHODS: Databases were searched to identify valid randomized controlled trials that compared psychosocial intervention with usual care. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their confidence intervals were pooled to estimate the strength of the treatment effect on survival time, and z-tests were performed to assess possible heterogeneity of effect sizes associated with different patient and treatment characteristics.RESULTS: Twelve trials involving 2439 cancer patients that met screening criteria were included. The overall effect favored the treatment group with a HR of 0.71 (95% Cl 0.58-0.88; P=0.002). An effect size favoring treatment group was observed in studies sampling lower vs higher percentage of married patients' (NNT=4.3 vs NNT=15.4), when Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy was applied at early vs late cancer stage (NNT=2.3 vs NNT=-28.6), and among patients' older vs younger than 50 (NNT=4.2 vs NNT=-20.5).CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial interventions may have an important effect on survival. Reviewed interventions appear to be more effective in unmarried patients, patients who are older, and those with an early cancer stage who attend CBT. Limitations of previous meta-analysis are discussed.

    View details for PubMedID 30600642

  • Mindfulness and Meditation in the Management of Psychiatric Disorders LIFESTYLE PSYCHIATRY Yudofsky, L., Spiegel, D., Noordsy, D. L. 2019: 185–99
  • Post-Traumatic Growth, Dissociation, and Sexual Revictimization in Female Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors. Child maltreatment Lahav, Y. n., Ginzburg, K. n., Spiegel, D. n. 2019: 1077559519856102

    Abstract

    Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors are at high risk of sexual revictimization. At the same time, some survivors report positive transformations resulting from the traumatic experience, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Although one might expect PTG to be related to reduced risk of revictimization, the link between PTG and revictimization has not been investigated. Furthermore, mixed findings regarding the associations between PTG and distress imply that the effects of PTG are multifaceted. One potential explanation may be that dissociation shapes the implications of PTG, making it more like denial than adaptive processing of traumatic experience. This longitudinal study explores (a) the associations between PTG and sexual revictimization and (b) the moderating role of dissociation within the associations between PTG and revictimization.Participants were 111 female CSA survivors who participated in a 6-month efficacy trial evaluating the effectiveness of group psychotherapy for CSA survivors with HIV risk factors.Dissociation moderated the associations between PTG and revictimization: Whereas PTG had nonsignificant effects on revictimization in participants with low dissociation, it predicted elevated levels of revictimization in participants with high dissociation.Reports of PTG among some CSA survivors might mirror dissociative beliefs that increase their risk of revictimization.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/1077559519856102

    View details for PubMedID 31248267

  • Virtual environments in cancer care: Pilot-testing a three-dimensional web-based platform as a tool for support in young cancer patients HEALTH INFORMATICS JOURNAL Hoybye, M., Olsen, P., Hansson, H., Spiegel, D., Bennetsen, H., Cheslack-Postava, E. 2018; 24 (4): 419–31
  • Trauma-Related Dissociation Is No Fantasy: Addressing the Errors of Omission and Commission in Merckelbach and Patihis (2018) PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW Brand, B. L., Dalenberg, C. J., Frewen, P. A., Loewenstein, R. J., Schielke, H. J., Brams, J. S., Spiegel, D. 2018; 11 (4): 377–93
  • A Review of the Neurobiological Basis of Trauma-Related Dissociation and Its Relation to Cannabinoid- and Opioid-Mediated Stress Response: a Transdiagnostic, Translational Approach. Current psychiatry reports Lanius, R. A., Boyd, J. E., McKinnon, M. C., Nicholson, A. A., Frewen, P., Vermetten, E., Jetly, R., Spiegel, D. 2018; 20 (12): 118

    Abstract

    Dissociative experiences have been associated with increased disease severity, chronicity, and, in some cases, reduced treatment response across trauma-related and other psychiatric disorders. A better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms through which dissociative experiences occur may assist in identifying novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches. Here, we review emerging work on the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other trauma-related disorders providing evidence for two related overarching neurobiological models of dissociation, the defense cascade model of dissociation and Mobb's threat detection model. In particular, we review neuroimaging studies highlighting alterations in functional connectivity of key brain regions associated with these models, including connectivity between the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala and its complexes, the insula, and the periaqueductal gray. Work implicating the kappa-opioid and endocannabinoid systems in trauma-related dissociative experiences is also reviewed. Finally, we hypothesize mechanisms by which pharmacological modulation of these neurochemical systems may serve as promising transdiagnostic treatment modalities for individuals experiencing clinically significant levels of dissociation. Specifically, whereas kappa-opioid receptor antagonists may serve as a pharmacological vehicle for the selective targeting of dissociative symptoms and associated emotion overmodulation in the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder and transdiagnostically, modulation of the endocannabinoid system may reduce symptoms associated with emotional undermodulation of the fight or flight components of the defense cascade model.

    View details for PubMedID 30402683

  • Circadian rest-activity rhythm as an objective biomarker of patient-reported outcomes in patients with advanced cancer CANCER MEDICINE Innominato, P. F., Komarzynski, S., Palesh, O. G., Dallmann, R., Bjarnason, G. A., Giacchetti, S., Ulusakarya, A., Bouchahda, M., Haydar, M., Ballesta, A., Karaboue, A., Wreglesworth, N. I., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. A. 2018; 7 (9): 4396–4405

    Abstract

    Psychosocial symptoms often cluster together, are refractory to treatment, and impair health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in cancer patients. The contribution of circadian rhythm alterations to systemic symptoms has been overlooked in cancer, despite a causal link shown under jet lag and shift work conditions. We investigated whether the circadian rest-activity rhythm provides a reliable and objective estimate of the most frequent patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).Two datasets were used, each involving concomitant 3-day time series of wrist actigraphy and HR-QoL questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 was completed once by 237 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) was completed daily by 31 patients with advanced cancer on continuous actigraphy monitoring, providing 1015 paired data points. Circadian function was assessed using the clinically validated dichotomy index I < O. Nonparametric tests compared PROMs and I < O. Effect sizes were computed. Sensitivity subgroup and temporal dynamics analyses were also performed.I < O values were significantly lower with increasing symptom severity and worsening HR-QoL domains. Fatigue and anorexia were worse in patients with circadian disruption. The differences were both statistically and clinically significant (P < 0.001; d ≥ 0.33). Physical and social functioning, and global quality/enjoyment of life were significantly better in patients with robust circadian rhythm (P < 0.001; d ≥ 0.26). Sensitivity analyses validated these findings.Objectively determined circadian disruption was consistently and robustly associated with clinically meaningfully severe fatigue, anorexia, and interference with physical and social functioning. This supports an important role of the circadian system in the determination of cancer patients' HR-QoL and symptoms that deserves therapeutic exploitation.

    View details for PubMedID 30088335

  • Modulation of Nociception in Multiple Brain Systems-The Strain in Pain. JAMA neurology Spiegel, D. 2018

    View details for PubMedID 30073248

  • The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Cancer Prognosis: A Systematic and a Comprehensive Review. Journal of oncology De Couck, M., Caers, R., Spiegel, D., Gidron, Y. 2018; 2018: 1236787

    Abstract

    This article reviews the role of the vagus nerve in tumor modulation and cancer prognosis. We present a systematic review of 12 epidemiological studies examining the relationship between heart rate variability, the main vagus nerve index, and prognosis in cancer patients (survival and tumor markers). These studies show that initially high vagal nerve activity predicts better cancer prognosis, and, in some studies, independent of confounders such as cancer stage and treatments. Since the design of the epidemiological studies is correlational, any causal relationship between heart rate variability and cancer prognosis cannot be inferred. However, various semi-experimental cohort studies in humans and experimental studies in animals have examined this causal relationship. The second part of this paper presents a comprehensive review including human and animal cohort and experimental studies showing that vagotomy accelerates tumor growth, while vagal nerve activation improves cancer prognosis. Based on all reviewed studies, it is concluded that the evidence supports a protective role of the vagus nerve in cancer and specifically in the metastatic stage.

    View details for DOI 10.1155/2018/1236787

    View details for PubMedID 30057605

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6051067

  • Serotonin transporter polymorphism, depressive symptoms, and emotional impulsivity among advanced breast cancer patients SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER Kim, Y., Carver, C. S., Hallmayer, J. F., Zeitzer, J. M., Palesh, O., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. 2018; 26 (4): 1181–88

    Abstract

    This study tested a theory linking a marker of low serotonergic function to both depression and impulsivity in a sample of advanced breast cancer patients, among whom elevated depressive symptoms and difficulty regulating emotions are commonly reported.A total of 95 patients provided blood samples for serotonin transporter polymorphic region of the gene (5-HTTLPR) and completed questionnaires that measured depressive symptoms and emotional impulsivity.Structural equation modeling revealed that the s allele of 5-HTTLPR was related to greater depressive symptoms (β = .20, p < .042) but only marginally to greater emotional impulsivity (β = .19, p < .068). Depressive symptoms and emotional impulsivity were positively related (β = .33, p < .003). Further tests explored possible mediation from genotype to one psychological variable via the other. Results suggest that depressive symptoms, particularly perceived interpersonal rejection, may be a pathway linking genotype to emotional impulsivity.Findings provide the first evidence that low serotonergic function contributes to both depression and impulsivity within a clinically meaningful sample. Furthermore, the link of s allele of 5-HTTLPR to emotional impulsivity was mediated by depressive symptoms, particularly perceptions of social rejection. Findings have implications for advanced breast cancer patients' treatment decision.

    View details for PubMedID 29090386

  • MATURITY OF DEFENSES, DIURNAL CORTISOL PROFILES, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WITH PRIMARY BREAST CANCER Rouleau, C., Dutta, N., Li, Y., Sephton, S. E., Tomfohr-Madsen, L., Golant, M., Kronenwetter, C., Spiegel, D., Giese-Davis, J. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2018: A31
  • Trends in Cancer Survival by Health Insurance Status in California From 1997 to 2014 JAMA ONCOLOGY Ellis, L., Canchola, A. J., Spiegel, D., Ladabaum, U., Haile, R., Gomez, S. 2018; 4 (3): 317–23

    Abstract

    There have been substantial improvements in the early detection, treatment, and survival from cancer in the United States, but it is not clear to what extent patients with different types of health insurance have benefitted from these advancements.To examine trends in cancer survival by health insurance status from January 1997 to December 2014.California Cancer Registry (a statewide cancer surveillance system) data were used to estimate population-based survival by health insurance status in 3 calendar periods: January 1997 to December 2002, January 2003 to December 2008, and January 2009 to December 2014 with follow-up through 2014. Overall, 1 149 891 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer, or melanoma in California were included in the study.Five-year all-cause and cancer-specific survival probabilities by insurance category and calendar period for each cancer site and sex; hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for each insurance category (none, Medicare, other public) compared with private insurance in each calendar period.According to data from 1 149 891 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer, or melanoma gathered from the California Cancer Registry, improvements in survival were almost exclusively limited to patients with private or Medicare insurance. For patients with other public or no insurance, survival was largely unchanged or declined. Relative to privately insured patients, cancer-specific mortality was higher in uninsured patients for all cancers except prostate, and disparities were largest from 2009 to 2014 for breast (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.45-2.03), lung (men: HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.31 and women: HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.15-1.50), and colorectal cancer (women: HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.62). Mortality was also higher for patients with other public insurance for all cancers except lung, and disparities were largest from 2009 to 2014 for breast (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17-1.34), prostate (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.31), and colorectal cancer (men: HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.23 and women: HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20).After accounting for patient and clinical characteristics, survival disparities for men with prostate cancer and women with lung or colorectal cancer increased significantly over time, reflecting a lack of improvement in survival for patients with other public or no insurance. To mitigate these growing disparities, all patients with cancer need access to health insurance that covers all the necessary elements of health care, from prevention and early detection to timely treatment according to clinical guidelines.

    View details for PubMedID 29192307

  • Integrating Dissociation AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 2018; 175 (1): 4–5

    View details for PubMedID 29301423

  • Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Survival: The Contribution of Tumor, Sociodemographic, Institutional, and Neighborhood Characteristics JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Ellis, L., Canchola, A. J., Spiegel, D., Ladabaum, U., Haile, R., Gomez, S. 2018; 36 (1): 25-+

    Abstract

    Purpose Racial/ethnic disparities in cancer survival in the United States are well documented, but the underlying causes are not well understood. We quantified the contribution of tumor, treatment, hospital, sociodemographic, and neighborhood factors to racial/ethnic survival disparities in California. Materials and Methods California Cancer Registry data were used to estimate population-based cancer-specific survival for patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer between 2000 and 2013 for each racial/ethnic group (non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and separately each for Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino) compared with non-Hispanic whites. The percentage contribution of factors to overall racial/ethnic survival disparities was estimated from a sequence of multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results In baseline models, black patients had the lowest survival for all cancer sites, and Asian American and Pacific Islander patients had the highest, compared with whites. Mediation analyses suggested that stage at diagnosis had the greatest influence on overall racial/ethnic survival disparities accounting for 24% of disparities in breast cancer, 24% in prostate cancer, and 16% to 30% in colorectal cancer. Neighborhood socioeconomic status was an important factor in all cancers, but only for black and Hispanic patients. The influence of marital status on racial/ethnic disparities was stronger in men than in women. Adjustment for all covariables explained approximately half of the overall survival disparities in breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, but it explained only 15% to 40% of disparities in lung cancer. Conclusion Overall reductions in racial/ethnic survival disparities were driven largely by reductions for black compared with white patients. Stage at diagnosis had the largest effect on racial/ethnic survival disparities, but earlier detection would not entirely eliminate them. The influences of neighborhood socioeconomic status and marital status suggest that social determinants, support mechanisms, and access to health care are important contributing factors.

    View details for PubMedID 29035642

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5756323

  • The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Cancer Prognosis: A Systematic and a Comprehensive Review JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY De Couck, M., Caers, R., Spiegel, D., Gidron, Y. 2018
  • Advancing psychosocial care in cancer patients. F1000Research Grassi, L., Spiegel, D., Riba, M. 2017; 6: 2083

    Abstract

    Cancer is a devastating disease causing significant psychological problems among patients and their families. In the past few decades, there have been growing implementation and dissemination of screening methods for the psychological consequences of cancer, including distress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and demoralisation. Also, guidelines for the management of psychological distress have been developed and endorsed by a number of scientific cancer associations. This review examines some of the most significant related issues, also focusing on recent advances in psychosocial and psychopharmacological interventions as a part of a mandatory, integrated, and comprehensive approach to cancer care.

    View details for DOI 10.12688/f1000research.11902.1

    View details for PubMedID 29259774

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5717468

  • Meta-Analysis of Psychosocial Treatment Effects on Cancer Survival and Sources of Heterogeneity Spiegel, D., Krizanec, S., Kraemer, H., Jo, B., Ershadi, M., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Aasly, L. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. 2017: S331
  • Dynamic Causal Modeling in PTSD and Its Dissociative Subtype: Bottom-Up Versus Top-Down Processing Within Fear and Emotion Regulation Circuitry HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING Nicholson, A. A., Friston, K. J., Zeidman, P., Harricharan, S., McKinnon, M. C., Densmore, M., Neufeld, R. J., Theberge, J., Corrigan, F., Jetly, R., Spiegel, D., Lanius, R. A. 2017; 38 (11): 5551–61

    Abstract

    Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with decreased top-down emotion modulation from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regions, a pathophysiology accompanied by hyperarousal and hyperactivation of the amygdala. By contrast, PTSD patients with the dissociative subtype (PTSD + DS) often exhibit increased mPFC top-down modulation and decreased amygdala activation associated with emotional detachment and hypoarousal. Crucially, PTSD and PTSD + DS display distinct functional connectivity within the PFC, amygdala complexes, and the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a region related to defensive responses/emotional coping. However, differences in directed connectivity between these regions have not been established in PTSD, PTSD + DS, or controls.To examine directed (effective) connectivity among these nodes, as well as group differences, we conducted resting-state stochastic dynamic causal modeling (sDCM) pairwise analyses of coupling between the ventromedial (vm)PFC, the bilateral basolateral and centromedial (CMA) amygdala complexes, and the PAG, in 155 participants (PTSD [n = 62]; PTSD + DS [n = 41]; age-matched healthy trauma-unexposed controls [n = 52]).PTSD was characterized by a pattern of predominant bottom-up connectivity from the amygdala to the vmPFC and from the PAG to the vmPFC and amygdala. Conversely, PTSD + DS exhibited predominant top-down connectivity between all node pairs (from the vmPFC to the amygdala and PAG, and from the amygdala to the PAG). Interestingly, the PTSD + DS group displayed the strongest intrinsic inhibitory connections within the vmPFC.These results suggest the contrasting symptom profiles of PTSD and its dissociative subtype (hyper- vs. hypo-emotionality, respectively) may be driven by complementary changes in directed connectivity corresponding to bottom-up defensive fear processing versus enhanced top-down regulation. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5551-5561, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

    View details for PubMedID 28836726

  • Modulation of the Neural Circuitry Underlying Trait Hypnotizability With Spaced Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation Williams, N., Sudheimer, K., Stimpson, K., Duvio, D., Chung, C., DeSouza, D., Jo, B., Williams, L., Yeomans, D., Spiegel, D. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. 2017: S508–S509
  • NCCN Guidelines (R) Insights Palliative Care, Version 2.2017 Featured Updates to the NCCN Guidelines JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Dans, M., Smith, T., Back, A., Baker, J. N., Bauman, J. R., Beck, A. C., Block, S., Campbell, T., Case, A. A., Dalal, S., Edwards, H., Fitch, T. R., Kapo, J., Kutner, J. S., Kvale, E., Miller, C., Misra, S., Mitchell, W., Portman, D. G., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Szmuilowicz, E., Temel, J., Tickoo, R., Urba, S. G., Weinstein, E., Zachariah, F., Bergman, M., Scavone, J. L. 2017; 15 (8): 989–97

    Abstract

    The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide interdisciplinary recommendations on palliative care for patients with cancer. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize and provide context for the updated guidelines recommendations regarding hospice and end-of-life (EOL) care. Updates for 2017 include revisions to and restructuring of the algorithms that address important EOL concerns. These recommendations were revised to provide clearer guidance for oncologists as they care for patients with cancer who are approaching the transition to EOL care. Recommendations for interventions and reassessment based on estimated life expectancy were streamlined and reprioritized to promote hospice referrals and improved EOL care.

    View details for DOI 10.6004/jnccn.2017.0132

    View details for Web of Science ID 000407058700006

    View details for PubMedID 28784860

  • Physical Activity and Survival in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer. Cancer nursing Palesh, O., Kamen, C., Sharp, S., Golden, A., Neri, E., Spiegel, D., Koopman, C. 2017

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Several empirical investigations have attempted to characterize the effect of physical activity on cancer mortality, but these investigations have rarely focused on patients with advanced breast cancer.OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the hypothesis that greater physical activity is associated with longer survival among women with advanced breast cancer.METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis of a prospective study of 103 patients with stage IV (n = 100) or locally recurrent (n = 3) breast cancer involved in a group psychotherapy trial. Physical activity was assessed at baseline using the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire, and patients were followed until April 1, 2016, at which time 93 of 103 had died.RESULTS: Greater physical activity level at baseline was significantly associated with longer subsequent survival time in a Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio [HR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.97; P < .01). Engaging in 1 additional hour per day of moderate activity reduced the hazard of subsequent mortality by 23% (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.92; P < .01). These results remained significant even after controlling for demographic, medical, cancer, depression, and cortisol variables (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99; P < .05).CONCLUSIONS: Women with advanced breast cancer who engaged in physical activity for 1 or more hours per day at baseline had an increased likelihood of survival compared with those who exercised less than 1 hour per day.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses should consider recommending moderate physical activity for women with advanced breast cancer. Randomized trials of physical activity interventions for this population are needed.

    View details for PubMedID 28727578

  • Hypnosis in Cancer Care. American journal of clinical hypnosis Wortzel, J., Spiegel, D. 2017; 60 (1): 4-17

    Abstract

    Cancer affects a growing proportion of the population as survival improves. The illness and its treatment brings a substantial burden of symptoms, including pain, anxiety, insomnia, and grief. Here, the uses of hypnosis in the treatment of these cancer-related problems will be reviewed. The utility of measuring hypnotizability in the clinical setting will be discussed. The current neurobiology of hypnotizability and hypnosis will be reviewed. Methods and results of using hypnosis for pain control in acute and chronic settings will be presented. Effects of hypnotic analgesia in specific brain regions associated with pain reduction, notably the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the somatosensory cortex, underlies its utility as a potent and side-effect free analgesic. Methods for helping those with cancer to better manage their anxiety, insomnia, and grief will be described. These involve facing disease-related stressors while dissociating the experience from somatic arousal. Given the serious complications of medications widely used to treat pain, anxiety, and insomnia, this article provides methods and an evidence base for wider use of techniques involving hypnosis in cancer care. Altering patients' perception of pain, disease-related stress, and anxiety can help change the reality of their life with cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00029157.2017.1290577

    View details for PubMedID 28557681

  • Late chronotypes are associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in women with breast cancer CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL Lee, K., Jung, D., Hwang, H., Kim, W., Lee, J., Kim, T., Im, S., Lee, K., Spiegel, D., Hahm, B. 2017; 34 (4): 480-491

    Abstract

    Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, that is, the administration of chemotherapy before surgery, has been commonly used for locally advanced breast cancer to improve the surgical outcomes and increase the opportunity for breast-conserving therapy. Women with breast cancer often receive an anthracycline-based regimen as the neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is associated with a high risk of emesis. Despite the development of novel antiemetics, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) has been commonly reported as a major adverse effect, affecting the quality of life of the patients. However, the factors predicting CINV in women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy remain unclear. In this single-institution, prospective, observational study conducted at an outpatient cancer centre in the Republic of Korea from November 2013 to March 2016, we analysed women with breast cancer who planned to be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery. Candidate factors associated with CINV were assessed before neoadjuvant chemotherapy using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. CINV was assessed after chemotherapy by using the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Antiemesis Tool. Of a total of 143 participants, 7 patients were lost to follow-up and 2 patients were excluded due to changes in their treatment plan; thus, 134 patients were finally included in the analyses. Overall, 48.5% of the participants experienced CINV, with delayed CINV prevalence (42.5%) being more common than acute (39.6%). In the univariate analyses, overall CINV was significantly associated with late chronotypes (odds ratio [OR], 3.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-8.87; p = 0.009), a history of nausea/vomiting (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.10-4.37; p = 0.026) and anxiety (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.05-4.81; p = 0.036). In the multivariate analyses, late chronotypes (OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.27-9.79; p = 0.015) and a history of nausea/vomiting (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.31-6.13; p = 0.008) remained significantly associated with CINV. In conclusion, in women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery, late chronotypes were found to have an increased risk of CINV; these data suggest that clinicians need to assess and consider the chronotype in the management of CINV.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/07420528.2017.1295978

    View details for PubMedID 28362229

  • Role of family caregivers' self-perceived preparedness for the death of the cancer patient in long-term adjustment to bereavement PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Kim, Y., Carver, C. S., Spiegel, D., Mitchell, H., Cannady, R. S. 2017; 26 (4): 484–92

    Abstract

    A substantial number of family caregivers go through bereavement because of cancer, but little is known about the bereaved caregivers' long-term adjustment. This study aimed to document levels of bereavement outcomes (prolonged grief symptoms, intense emotional reaction to the loss, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction) among family cancer caregivers 3-5 years post-loss and to investigate how self-rated preparedness for the patient's death predicted those bereavement outcomes.Family members participated in a nationwide survey for cancer caregivers 2 years after the relative's diagnosis (T1). Of those, 109 were identified as bereaved by 5 years post-diagnosis (T2). Of those, 88 continued to participate at 8-year follow-up (T3) and provided valid data for the study variables. Caregivers' distress risk factors were measured at T1, satisfaction with palliative care and preparedness for the death of the patient at T2, and time since death of the patient at T2 or T3.Substantial numbers of family members (18% to 48%) displayed heightened levels of bereavement-related psychological distress years after the loss. Hierarchical general linear modeling revealed that perceived preparedness for the death of the patient concurrently and prospectively predicted better adjustment to bereavement, independent of contributions of other factors studied.Findings underscore the high prevalence of long-lasting bereavement-related distress among family cancer caregivers and the role of preparedness for the relative's death in the level of that distress. Findings suggest that psychosocial programs among caregivers focus on not only caregiving skills per se but also preparedness for the death of the patient. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

    View details for PubMedID 26661137

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer. The lancet. Psychiatry Cordova, M. J., Riba, M. B., Spiegel, D. 2017

    Abstract

    Being diagnosed with and treated for cancer is highly stressful and potentially traumatic. An extensive literature has evaluated the prevalence, predictors, and correlates of cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and diagnoses. In this qualitative review of cancer-related PTSD literature, we highlight conceptual, methodological, and diagnostic issues, and identify clinical implications and areas for future research. Cancer-related PTSD has been documented in a minority of patients with cancer and their family members, is positively associated with other indices of distress and reduced quality of life, and has several correlates and risk factors (eg, prior trauma history, pre-existing psychiatric conditions, poor social support). The literature on treatment of cancer-related PTSD is sparse. Existing literature on cancer-related PTSD has used DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria; the revised DSM-5 PTSD criteria have important implications for the assessment of cancer-related distress. Application of PTSD diagnosis to patients with cancer has been critiqued on conceptual and methodological grounds, and important differential diagnosis considerations should be taken into account. Psychosocial assessment of patients with cancer should include careful evaluation of pre-cancer diagnosis trauma and psychiatric history, and diagnostic interviewing should consider concurrent conditions (eg, adjustment disorder). Treatment of cancer-related PTSD should be approached with caution and be informed by existing evidence-based approaches for traumatic stress.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30014-7

    View details for PubMedID 28109647

  • Psychological Features of Hypnotizability: A First Step Towards Its Empirical Definition INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Facco, E., Testoni, I., Ronconi, L., Casiglia, E., Zanette, G., Spiegel, D. 2017; 65 (1): 98–119

    Abstract

    This study examined the relationship between the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) and several psychological tests: Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), Spontaneity Assessment Inventory-Revised (SAI-R), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Short-Form Boundary Questionnaire (SFBQ), Mini Locus of Control (MLOC), Testoni Death Representation Scale (TDRS), and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Two hundred and forty volunteers were administered the above tests; 78 of them were also administered the HIP, and its scores were compared to those on the other tests. A significant correlation was found among the TAS, DES, SFBQ, and IRI. The HIP was significantly correlated to the DES (r = .19 p1tail = .045), and the IRI-ec subscale (r = .19 p1tail = .044); 14 test items from DES, IRI, TAS, SAIR, and SFBQ were also significantly related to the HIP. The findings suggest that hypnotizability may relate to stronger perception of the inner world, decreased aptitude for managing memory processing, and increased sensitivity and empathy.

    View details for PubMedID 27935462

  • Randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy and body-mind-spirit intervention for Chinese non-metastatic breast cancer patients SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER Ho, R. T., Fong, T. C., Lo, P. H., Ho, S. M., Lee, P. W., Leung, P. P., Spiegel, D., Chan, C. L. 2016; 24 (12): 4929-4937

    Abstract

    This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of supportive-expressive group (SEG) therapy and body-mind-spirit (BMS) intervention on emotional suppression and psychological distress in Chinese breast cancer patients.This three-arm randomized controlled trial assigned 157 non-metastatic breast cancer patients to BMS, SEG, or social support control group. SEG focused on emotional expression and group support, whereas BMS emphasized relaxation and self-care. All groups received 2-h weekly sessions for 8 weeks. The participants completed measurements on emotional suppression, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression at baseline and three follow-up assessments in 1 year.Using latent growth modeling, overall group difference was found for emotional suppression (χ (2)(2) = 8.88, p = 0.012), marginally for perceived stress (χ (2)(2) = 5.70, p = 0.058), but not for anxiety and depression (χ (2)(2) = 0.19-0.94, p > 0.05). Post-hoc analyses revealed a significant and moderate reduction (Cohen d = 0.55, p = 0.007) in emotional suppression in SEG compared to control group, whereas BMS resulted in a marginally significant and moderate fall (d = 0.46, p = 0.024) in perceived stress. Neither SEG nor BMS significantly improved anxiety and depression (d < 0.20, p > 0.05).The present results did not demonstrate overall effectiveness for either BMS or SEG therapy in the present sample of Chinese non-metastatic breast cancer patients. The participants appear to derive only modest benefits in terms of their psychological well-being from either intervention.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-016-3350-8

    View details for Web of Science ID 000387224900013

    View details for PubMedID 27470259

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5082591

  • Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for dying cancer patients - aiding the final trip JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY Spiegel, D. 2016; 30 (12): 1215–17

    View details for PubMedID 27909174

  • Virtual environments in cancer care: Pilot-testing a three-dimensional web-based platform as a tool for support in young cancer patients. Health informatics journal Hoybye, M. T., Olsen, P. R., Hansson, H. E., Spiegel, D., Bennetsen, H., Cheslack-Postava, E. 2016

    Abstract

    Bringing virtual environments into cancer support may offer a particular potential to engage patients and increase adherence to treatment. Developing and pilot-testing an online real-time multi-user three-dimensional platform, this study tested the use of an early prototype of the platform among adolescent and young adult cancer patients. Data were collected with an online questionnaire and using ethnographic methods of participant observation. The adolescent and young adult patients tested basic features of the virtual environment and some conducted brief in-world interactions with fellow patients during hospitalization. They had no reservations about using the technology and shared their ideas about its use. Our pilot test pointed to a number of areas of development for virtual environment applications as potential platforms for medical or behavioral interventions in cancer care. Overall, the results demonstrate the need for high user involvement in the development of such interventions and early testing of intervention designs.

    View details for PubMedID 27895100

  • Longitudinal Association of Poor Sleep Quality With Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Breast Cancer. Psychosomatic medicine Jung, D., Lee, K., Kim, W., Lee, J., Kim, T., Im, S., Lee, K., Spiegel, D., Hahm, B. 2016; 78 (8): 959-965

    Abstract

    Risk factors for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) include older age, female sex, alcohol consumption, and a history of motion sickness. Although gastrointestinal symptoms are found to be related with sleep and mood in other conditions, little is known about their effects on CINV.This prospective observational study recruited patients with early-stage breast cancer who had recovered from surgery before receiving a first cycle of anthracycline and cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy. Candidate factors associated with CINV were assessed before chemotherapy by using the following: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) and chemotherapy-induced vomiting (CIV) were defined according to a numeric rating scale (0-10) as follows: ≥3, nausea; ≥1, vomiting.Between February 2012 and May 2014, data were collected from 198 patients. Chemotherapy-induced nausea occurred in 35.4% of patients, and CIV occurred in 31.3%. Chemotherapy-induced nausea was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR], 2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-5.46; p = 0.024) and pretreatment nausea (OR, 4.81; 95% CI, 1.84-12.62; p = 0.001). Likewise, CIV was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.21-5.78; p = 0.015) and pretreatment nausea (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.23-7.66; p = 0.016).Poor sleep quality increases risk of CINV in patients with breast cancer. Sleep problems should be assessed and considered in the management of CINV.

    View details for PubMedID 27428859

  • Associations between diurnal cortisol patterns and lifestyle factors, psychotic symptoms, and neurological deficits: A longitudinal study on patients with chronic schizophrenia JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH Ho, R. T., Fong, T. C., Wan, A. H., Au-Yeung, F. S., Chen, E. Y., Spiegel, D. 2016; 81: 16-22

    Abstract

    The present study examined the relationships between diurnal cortisol patterns and perceived stress, lifestyle factors, psychotic symptoms, neurological deficits, and daily functioning in patients with chronic schizophrenia. The participants were 149 Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia, who provided salivary cortisol measures upon waking, before lunchtime, and before bedtime at baseline (Time 1). Self-report measures on perceived stress and lifestyle factors such as body-mass index and daily exercise span were recorded at Time 1. Diagnostic assessments on psychotic symptoms, neurological deficits, and daily functioning were made at Time 1 and Time 2 (3 months later). Latent growth modeling and path modeling analysis were performed to investigate the diurnal cortisol patterns and the relationships with the study variables, respectively. Greater perceived stress and body-mass index and less physical activity were significantly linked to reduced cortisol decline. Reduced cortisol decline at Time 1 significantly predicted greater psychotic (positive and negative) symptoms and more severe neurological deficits in motor coordination and sequencing of complex motor acts at Time 2. The present results contribute to a better understanding of the diurnal cortisol patterns among chronic schizophrenia patients and the associations with lifestyle factors, psychotic symptoms, and neurological deficits. The findings lend support to the neural diathesis-stress model and suggest that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may potentially mediate the effects of lifestyle factors on psychotic symptoms and neurological deficits.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.06.014

    View details for Web of Science ID 000384855400003

    View details for PubMedID 27359327

  • Peer-counseling for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized community/research collaboration trial CANCER Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Wittenberg, L., White, J., Star, P., Zhong, L., Cordova, M. J., Houston, D., Spiegel, D. 2016; 122 (15): 2408-2417

    Abstract

    We conducted a randomized controlled trial of peer-counseling for newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients as a community/research collaboration testing an intervention developed jointly by a community-based-organization serving women with cancer and university researchers.We recruited 104 women newly diagnosed with BC at any disease stage. Prior to randomization, all received a one-time visit with an oncology nurse who offered information and resources. Afterwards, we randomized half to receive a match with a Navigator with whom they could have contact for up to 6 months. We recruited, trained, and supervised 30 peer counselors who became "Navigators." They were at least one-year post-diagnosis with BC. Controls received no further intervention. We tested the effect of intervention on breast-cancer-specific well-being and trauma symptoms as primary outcomes, and several secondary outcomes. In exploratory analyses, we tested whether responding to their diagnosis as a traumatic stressor moderated outcomes.We found that, compared with the control group, receiving a peer-counseling intervention significantly improved breast-cancer-specific well-being (p=0.01, Cohen's d=0.41) and maintained marital adjustment (p=0.01, Cohen's d=0.45) more effectively. Experiencing the diagnosis as a traumatic stressor moderated outcomes: those with a peer counselor in the traumatic stressor group improved significantly more than controls on well-being, trauma and depression symptoms, and cancer self-efficacy.Having a peer counselor trained and supervised to recognize and work with trauma symptoms can improve well-being and psychosocial morbidity during the first year following diagnosis of BC. Cancer 2016;122:2408-2417. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cncr.30036

    View details for Web of Science ID 000380058800017

    View details for PubMedID 27198057

  • Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis. Cerebral cortex Jiang, H., White, M. P., Greicius, M. D., Waelde, L. C., Spiegel, D. 2016: -?

    Abstract

    Hypnosis has proven clinical utility, yet changes in brain activity underlying the hypnotic state have not yet been fully identified. Previous research suggests that hypnosis is associated with decreased default mode network (DMN) activity and that high hypnotizability is associated with greater functional connectivity between the executive control network (ECN) and the salience network (SN). We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate activity and functional connectivity among these three networks in hypnosis. We selected 57 of 545 healthy subjects with very high or low hypnotizability using two hypnotizability scales. All subjects underwent four conditions in the scanner: rest, memory retrieval, and two different hypnosis experiences guided by standard pre-recorded instructions in counterbalanced order. Seeds for the ECN, SN, and DMN were left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), respectively. During hypnosis there was reduced activity in the dACC, increased functional connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC;ECN) and the insula in the SN, and reduced connectivity between the ECN (DLPFC) and the DMN (PCC). These changes in neural activity underlie the focused attention, enhanced somatic and emotional control, and lack of self-consciousness that characterizes hypnosis.

    View details for PubMedID 27469596

  • Distress and quality of life in an ethnically diverse sample awaiting breast cancer surgery. Journal of health psychology Rebholz, W. N., Cash, E., Zimmaro, L. A., Bayley-Veloso, R., Phillips, K., Siwik, C., Chagpar, A. B., Dhabhar, F. S., Spiegel, D., Bell, B. S., Sephton, S. E. 2016

    Abstract

    Poor breast cancer-related quality of life is associated with flattened cortisol rhythms and inflammation in breast cancer survivors and women with advanced disease. We explored the associations of cancer-specific distress (Impact of Events Scale), mood (Profile of Mood States), activity/sleep (wake after sleep onset, 24-hour autocorrelation coefficient) and cortisol (diurnal slope) circadian rhythms, and inflammation (interleukin-6) with quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) among patients awaiting breast cancer surgery (N = 57). Models were adjusted for differences in age and cancer stage. Distress and mood disturbance were significantly correlated with lower quality of life. Ethnic differences in the relationship between distress and mood disturbance with global quality of life and subscales of quality of life were observed. Actigraphic measures showed that in comparison with non-Hispanic patients, African Americans had significantly poorer activity/sleep (wake after sleep onset, 24-hour autocorrelation coefficient). Circadian disruption and inflammation were not associated with quality of life. Physiological dysregulation and associated comorbidities may take time to develop over the course of disease and treatment.

    View details for PubMedID 27466289

  • Aberrant nocturnal cortisol and disease progression in women with breast cancer BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT Zeitzer, J. M., Nouriani, B., Rissling, M. B., Sledge, G. W., Kaplan, K. A., Aasly, L., Palesh, O., Jo, B., Neri, E., Dhabhar, F. S., Spiegel, D. 2016; 158 (1): 43-50

    Abstract

    While a relationship between disruption of circadian rhythms and the progression of cancer has been hypothesized in field and epidemiologic studies, it has never been unequivocally demonstrated. We determined the circadian rhythm of cortisol and sleep in women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) under the conditions necessary to allow for the precise measurement of these variables. Women with ABC (n = 97) and age-matched controls (n = 24) took part in a 24-h intensive physiological monitoring study involving polysomnographic sleep measures and high-density plasma sampling. Sleep was scored using both standard clinical metrics and power spectral analysis. Three-harmonic regression analysis and functional data analysis were used to assess the 24-h and sleep-associated patterns of plasma cortisol, respectively. The circadian pattern of plasma cortisol as described by its timing, timing relative to sleep, or amplitude was indistinguishable between women with ABC and age-matched controls (p's > 0.11, t-tests). There was, however, an aberrant spike of cortisol during the sleep of a subset of women, during which there was an eightfold increase in the amount of objectively measured wake time (p < 0.004, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank). This cortisol aberration was associated with cancer progression such that the larger the aberration, the shorter the disease-free interval (time from initial diagnosis to metastasis; r = -0.30, p = 0.004; linear regression). The same aberrant spike was present in a similar percent of women without ABC and associated with concomitant sleep disruption. A greater understanding of this sleep-related cortisol abnormality, possibly a vulnerability trait, is likely important in our understanding of individual variation in the progression of cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10549-016-3864-2

    View details for Web of Science ID 000379494200005

    View details for PubMedID 27314577

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4938753

  • Objective sleep duration (SD) and overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC). Spiegel, D., Levi, F., Bjarnason, G. A., Ulusakarya, A., Palesh, O., Innominato, P. F. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2016
  • Palliative Care Version 1.2016 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Levy, M., Smith, T., Alvarez-Perez, A., Back, A., Baker, J. N., Beck, A. C., Block, S., Dalal, S., Dans, M., Fitch, T. R., Kapo, J., Kutner, J. S., Kvale, E., Misra, S., Mitchell, W., Portman, D. G., Sauer, T. M., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Szmuilowicz, E., Taylor, R. M., Temel, J., Tickoo, R., Urba, S. G., Weinstein, E., Zachariah, F., Bergman, M. A., Scavone, J. L. 2016; 14 (1): 82-113

    Abstract

    The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide interdisciplinary recommendations on palliative care for patients with cancer. The NCCN Guidelines are intended to provide guidance to the primary oncology team on the integration of palliative care into oncology. The NCCN Palliative Care Panel's recommendations seek to ensure that each patient experiences the best quality of life possible throughout the illness trajectory. Accordingly, the NCCN Guidelines outline best practices for screening, assessment, palliative care interventions, reassessment, and after-death care.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000367629000010

  • What I have changed my mind about and why EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY Yehuda, R., Spiegel, D., Southwick, S., Davis, L. L., Neylan, T. C., Krystal, J. H. 2016; 7: 33768

    Abstract

    This paper is based upon a panel discussion "What I Have Changed My Mind About and Why" held on 5 November in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA), as part of the ISTSS 2015 annual meeting "Back to Basics: Integrating Clinical and Scientific Knowledge to Advance the Field of Trauma." The panel was chaired by Professor Dr. Rachel Yehuda of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs, and included five clinician-scholars who exchanged thoughts about what they have changed their minds about over the years: Dr. David Spiegel, Dr. Steven Southwick, Dr. Lori Davis, Dr. Thomas Neylan, and Dr. John Krystal. This paper provides a summary of the salient points made by each expert and the questions and discussion that ensured. Major issues raised included the increasingly clear limitations to the fear-based model that has advanced the field. While treatments for PTSD have improved, there are some aspects of trauma exposure that cannot be entirely repaired. Research providing an evidence base to treatment has led to overly specific treatment guidelines that may obscure more general principles of effective treatment. Treatment might be viewed as a way to increase the plasticity of the brain in the context of processing social cues. A variety of novel and integrative therapies include comprehensive holistic care, exercise, returning to competitive work, logotherapy, mindfulness, enhancing well-being and resilience, and medications with novel mechanisms, such as ketamine.

    View details for PubMedID 27837585

  • Disintegrated Experience DISSOCIATION AND STRESS TRAUMA- AND STRESSOR- RELATED DISORDERS: A HANDBOOK FOR CLINICIANS Spiegel, D., Casey, P. R., Strain, J. J. 2016: 119–32
  • Illustrating the Multi-Faceted Dimensions of Group Therapy and Support for Cancer Patients. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Giese-Davis, J., Brandelli, Y., Kronenwetter, C., Golant, M., Cordova, M., Twirbutt, S., Chang, V., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. 2016; 4 (3)

    Abstract

    In cancer support groups, choice of therapy model, leadership style, and format can impact patients' experiences and outcomes. Methodologies that illustrate the complexity of patients' group experiences might aid in choosing group style, or testing therapeutic mechanisms. We used this naturalistic study as a beginning step to explore methods for comparing cancer group contexts by first modifying a group-experience survey to be cancer-specific (Group Experience Questionnaire (GEQ)). Hypothesizing that therapist-led (TL) would differ from non-therapist-led (NTL), we explored the GEQ's multiple dimensions. A total of 292 patients attending three types of groups completed it: 2 TL groups differing in therapy style ((1) Supportive-Expressive (SET); (2) The Wellness Community (TWC/CSC)); (3) a NTL group. Participants rated the importance of "Expressing True Feelings" and "Discussing Sexual Concerns" higher in TL than NTL groups and "Discussing Sexual Concerns" higher in SET than other groups. They rated "Developing a New Attitude" higher in TWC/CSC compared to NTL. In addition, we depict the constellation of group qualities using radar-charts to assist visualization. These charts facilitate a quick look at a therapy model's strengths and weaknesses. Using a measure like the GEQ and this visualization technique could enable health-service decision making about choice of therapy model to offer.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/healthcare4030048

    View details for PubMedID 27490581

  • Aberrant Nocturnal Cortisol as a Vulnerability Trait for More Rapid Progression of Advanced Breast Cancer Zeitzer, J., Nouriani, B., Rissling, M., Sledge, G., Palesh, O., Jo, B., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. 2015: S194–S195
  • 2015 Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium (October 9-10, 2015) Abstracts JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Innominato, P. F., Palesh, O., Bjarnason, G. A., Ulusakarya, A., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. 2015; 33 (29)
  • Symptoms associated with circadian rest-activity rhythm disruption in 237 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Innominato, P. F., Palesh, O., Bjarnason, G. A., Ulusakarya, A., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2015
  • Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., Spiegel, D. 2015; 57 (4): 378-385

    Abstract

    This article describes the history, rationale, and guidelines for developing a new definition of hypnosis by the Society of Psychological Hypnosis, Division 30 of the American Psychological Association. The definition was developed with the aim of being concise, being heuristic, and allowing for alternative theories of the mechanisms (to be determined in empirical scientific study). The definition of hypnosis is presented as well as definitions of the following related terms: hypnotic induction, hypnotizability, and hypnotherapy. The implications for advancing research and practice are discussed. The definitions are presented within the article.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00029157.2015.1011465

    View details for PubMedID 25928776

  • The association between partner support and psychological distress among prostate cancer survivors in a nationwide study JOURNAL OF CANCER SURVIVORSHIP Kamen, C., Mustian, K. M., Heckler, C., Janelsins, M. C., Peppone, L. J., Mohile, S., McMahon, J. M., Lord, R., Flynn, P. J., Weiss, M., Spiegel, D., Morrow, G. R. 2015; 9 (3): 492-499

    Abstract

    Up to 38 % of prostate cancer survivors experience significant psychological distress; 6-16 % are diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders. Support from a relationship partner can ameliorate psychological distress, but many studies treat relationship status as a dichotomous predictor without accounting for level of support provided by the partner.The current study is a secondary analysis of a sample of 292 prostate cancer survivors recruited by nine Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) sites around the USA to a larger randomized controlled trial. Self-reported distress was measured at a baseline visit using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and partner support was measured using the Social Network and Support Assessment (SNSA). Post hoc groups consisting of unmarried survivors, married survivors with low partner support (SNSA scores below the median), and married survivors with high partner support (SNSA scores above the median) were compared on distress using univariate and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analyses.Married prostate cancer survivors with high partner support reported significantly lower levels of psychological distress than the other two groups on the total distress scale (16.20-19.19 points lower, p < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, this pattern was also seen for subscales of distress.This study highlights the importance of assessing both partner support and marital status when evaluating a survivor's psychosocial functioning and support network.Assessing support could improve understanding of the association between partner support and prostate cancer survivors' psychological distress and could lead to interventions to bolster support and reduce distress.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11764-015-0425-3

    View details for Web of Science ID 000359745900013

    View details for PubMedID 25603949

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4510042

  • Existential Psychotherapy for Patients With Advanced Cancer: Facing the Future and the Past JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Spiegel, D. 2015; 33 (24): 2713

    View details for PubMedID 26195719

  • Circadian disruption and biomarkers of tumor progression in breast cancer patients awaiting surgery BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY Cash, E., Sephton, S. E., Chagpar, A. B., Spiegel, D., Rebholz, W. N., Zimmaro, L. A., Tillie, J. M., Dhabhar, F. S. 2015; 48: 102-114

    Abstract

    Psychological distress, which can begin with cancer diagnosis and continue with treatment, is linked with circadian and endocrine disruption. In turn, circadian/endocrine factors are potent modulators of cancer progression. We hypothesized that circadian rest-activity rhythm disruption, distress, and diurnal cortisol rhythms would be associated with biomarkers of tumor progression in the peripheral blood of women awaiting breast cancer surgery. Breast cancer patients (n=43) provided actigraphic data on rest-activity rhythm, cancer-specific distress (IES, POMS), saliva samples for assessment of diurnal cortisol rhythm, cortisol awakening response (CAR), and diurnal mean. Ten potential markers of tumor progression were quantified in serum samples and grouped by exploratory factor analysis. Analyses yielded three factors, which appear to include biomarkers reflecting different aspects of tumor progression. Elevated factor scores indicate both high levels and strong clustering among serum signals. Factor 1 included VEGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β; suggesting tumor invasion/immunosuppression. Factor 2 included IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6R, MCP-1; suggesting inflammation/chemotaxis. Factor 3 included IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ; suggesting inflammation/TH1-type immunity. Hierarchical regressions adjusting age, stage and socioeconomic status examined associations of circadian, distress, and endocrine variables with these three factor scores. Patients with poor circadian coordination as measured by rest-activity rhythms had higher Factor 1 scores (R(2)=.160, p=.038). Patients with elevated CAR also had higher Factor 1 scores (R(2)=.293, p=.020). These relationships appeared to be driven largely by VEGF concentrations. Distress was not related to tumor-relevant biomarkers, and no other significant relationships emerged. Women with strong circadian activity rhythms showed less evidence of tumor promotion and/or progression as indicated by peripheral blood biomarkers. The study was not equipped to discern the cause of these associations. Circadian/endocrine aberrations may be a manifestation of systemic effects of aggressive tumors. Alternatively, these results raise the possibility that, among patients with active breast tumors, disruption of circadian activity rhythms and elevated CAR may facilitate tumor promotion and progression.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.017

    View details for Web of Science ID 000358460700013

  • Circadian disruption and biomarkers of tumor progression in breast cancer patients awaiting surgery. Brain, behavior, and immunity Cash, E., Sephton, S. E., Chagpar, A. B., Spiegel, D., Rebholz, W. N., Zimmaro, L. A., Tillie, J. M., Dhabhar, F. S. 2015; 48: 102-14

    Abstract

    Psychological distress, which can begin with cancer diagnosis and continue with treatment, is linked with circadian and endocrine disruption. In turn, circadian/endocrine factors are potent modulators of cancer progression. We hypothesized that circadian rest-activity rhythm disruption, distress, and diurnal cortisol rhythms would be associated with biomarkers of tumor progression in the peripheral blood of women awaiting breast cancer surgery. Breast cancer patients (n=43) provided actigraphic data on rest-activity rhythm, cancer-specific distress (IES, POMS), saliva samples for assessment of diurnal cortisol rhythm, cortisol awakening response (CAR), and diurnal mean. Ten potential markers of tumor progression were quantified in serum samples and grouped by exploratory factor analysis. Analyses yielded three factors, which appear to include biomarkers reflecting different aspects of tumor progression. Elevated factor scores indicate both high levels and strong clustering among serum signals. Factor 1 included VEGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β; suggesting tumor invasion/immunosuppression. Factor 2 included IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6R, MCP-1; suggesting inflammation/chemotaxis. Factor 3 included IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ; suggesting inflammation/TH1-type immunity. Hierarchical regressions adjusting age, stage and socioeconomic status examined associations of circadian, distress, and endocrine variables with these three factor scores. Patients with poor circadian coordination as measured by rest-activity rhythms had higher Factor 1 scores (R(2)=.160, p=.038). Patients with elevated CAR also had higher Factor 1 scores (R(2)=.293, p=.020). These relationships appeared to be driven largely by VEGF concentrations. Distress was not related to tumor-relevant biomarkers, and no other significant relationships emerged. Women with strong circadian activity rhythms showed less evidence of tumor promotion and/or progression as indicated by peripheral blood biomarkers. The study was not equipped to discern the cause of these associations. Circadian/endocrine aberrations may be a manifestation of systemic effects of aggressive tumors. Alternatively, these results raise the possibility that, among patients with active breast tumors, disruption of circadian activity rhythms and elevated CAR may facilitate tumor promotion and progression.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.017

    View details for PubMedID 25728235

  • Experiences of Mothers Who Are Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Qualitative Exploration JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Cavanaugh, C. E., Harper, B., Classen, C. C., Palesh, O., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 2015; 24 (5): 506-525

    Abstract

    Child sexual abuse has been associated with a number of problems affecting women over their lifespan, including difficulties with parenting. However, there is a modest number of qualitative studies examining the impact of child sexual abuse on survivors who are mothers. There is a particular need for qualitative investigations that ask survivors who are mothers general questions about the impact of child sexual abuse on their lives rather than those that specifically ask about the impact of child sexual abuse on parenting. The former approach would allow survivors to describe effects that may impact parenting but that survivors do not consciously link to affecting their parenting. Such information may inform interventions to assist this population of survivors. This secondary data analysis examined themes revealed in interviews with 44 survivors of child sexual abuse who were mothers. Participants were seeking treatment for their child sexual abuse and completed an in-person interview in which they were asked open-ended questions about the sexual abuse they experienced as a child and how their abuse affects them now as adults. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. The following six themes emerged from the narratives: (a) being a parent, (b) family of origin dysfunction, (c) the impact of abuse, (d) the abuse history and response to abuse, (e) coping, and (f) hopes and desires for the future. This study highlights several ways in which child sexual abuse impacts survivors who are mothers, areas for further study, and the need for interventions to assist this population in meeting the challenges they face as mothers.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/10538712.2015.1042186

    View details for Web of Science ID 000360454900004

  • Higher Vagal Activity as Related to Survival in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer: An Analysis of Autonomic Dysregulation PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE Giese-Davis, J., Wilhelm, F. H., Tamagawa, R., Palesh, O., Neri, E., Taylor, C. B., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. 2015; 77 (4): 346-355

    Abstract

    High levels of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), related to parasympathetic-nervous-system functioning, have been associated with longer survival in patients with myocardial infarction and acute trauma and in patients undergoing palliative care. From animal studies linking higher vagal activity with better immune system functioning and reduced metastases, we hypothesized that higher HF-HRV would predict longer survival in patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer (MRBC).Eighty-seven patients with MRBC participated in a laboratory task including a 5-minute resting baseline electrocardiogram. HF-HRV was computed as the natural logarithm of the summed power spectral density of R-R intervals (0.15-0.50 Hz). In this secondary analysis of a study testing whether diurnal cortisol slope predicted survival, we tested the association between resting baseline HF-HRV on survival using Cox proportional hazards models.A total of 50 patients died during a median follow-up of 7.99 years. Higher baseline HF-HRV predicted significantly longer survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.60-0.92, p = .006). Visceral metastasis status and baseline heart rate were related to both HF-HRV and survival. However, a combination of HF-HRV and heart rate further improved survival prediction, with a hazard ratio of 0.64 (95% confidence interval = 0.48-0.85, p = .002).Vagal activity of patients with MRBC strongly predicted their survival, extending the known predictive window of HF-HRV in cancer beyond palliative care. Vagal activity can be altered by behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical interventions and may be a promising target for extending life expectancy in patients with metastasizing cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000167

    View details for Web of Science ID 000354553000001

    View details for PubMedID 25886831

  • Hypnotic Responsivity and the Treatment of Flying Phobia AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D., Maruffi, B., Frischholz, E. J., Spiegel, H. 2015; 57 (2): 156-164

    Abstract

    Systematic follow-up data are reported for 178 consecutive flying phobia patients treated with a single 45-minute session involving hypnosis and a problem restructuring strategy. One hundred fifty-eight (89%) of the patients completed follow-up questionnaires between six months and ten and one half years after treatment. Results showed that hypnotizable patients were over two and one half times more likely to report some positive treatment impact than those who were found to be nonhypnotizable on the Hypnotic Induction Profile. In addition, the patients' previous experiences with psychotherapy were found to be significantly associated with treatment outcome. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00029157.2015.967086

    View details for Web of Science ID 000344396800010

  • The Hypnotic Induction Profile and Absorption AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Frischholz, E. J., Spiegel, D., Trentalange, M. J., Spiegel, H. 2015; 57 (2): 122-128

    Abstract

    This study examined the relationship between scores on the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) and the trait of absorption in three different clinical groups: Smokers (n = 226), Phobics (n = 95), and patients with Chronic Pain (n = 65). Two hypotheses were investigated. The first predicted that both the Eye-Roll sign (ERS) and Induction Score (IND) of the HIP would correlate similarly (r = .30) with scores on the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), as has been previously reported with other measures of hypnotic responsivity in student samples. The second was that using a combination of both ERS and IND scores to predict TAS scores would result in a significant increase in forecasting accuracy over using either HIP measure alone. Both hypotheses were supported in all three clinical groups. Correlations between HIP and Absorption scores ranged from .33 to .53. Clinical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00029157.2015.967065

    View details for Web of Science ID 000344396800005

  • Subjective sleep and overall survival in chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer SLEEP MEDICINE Innominato, P. F., Spiegel, D., Ulusakarya, A., Giacchetti, S., Bjarnason, G. A., Levi, F., Palesh, O. 2015; 16 (3): 391-398

    Abstract

    Sleep disorders are prevalent in patients with advanced cancer. Their impact on clinical outcomes is not well understood.A post-hoc analysis was conducted in 361 chemo-naïve patients with metastatic colorectal cancer completing twice the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire within a randomized international phase III trial. The study assessed the effect on overall survival (OS) of subjective sleep complaint, used as a normal or a time-dependent covariate (TDC), using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Prognostic analysis was conducted on the whole study population and separately in each treatment arm (conventional FOLFOX2, or chronomodulated chronoFLO4).Sleep problems were reported by 202 patients (56%) at baseline and by 188 (52%) on treatment. Sleep problems at baseline were independently associated with a higher risk of earlier death (HR: 1.36; p = 0.011), progression (HR: 1.43; p = 0.002) and poor treatment response (RR: 0.58; p = 0.016). TDC analysis confirmed the independent prognostic effect of sleep problems on OS (HR: 1.37; p = 0.008), while on treatment this effect was only observed using univariate analysis. The negative prognostic value of sleep problems on OS at baseline, on treatment, and as a TDC was greatest on chronoFLO4 compared to FOLFOX2.Subjective sleep problems are associated with poor clinical outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer patients and affect chronotherapy effectiveness. There is a need for a well-tuned circadian timing system in order to increase chronotherapy activity. Prospective studies are needed for determining the impact of therapeutic approaches on sleep disorders upon quality of life and survival of cancer patients.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.sleep.2014.10.022

    View details for Web of Science ID 000351714400016

    View details for PubMedID 25678361

  • Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., Spiegel, D. 2015; 63 (1): 1-9

    Abstract

    This article describes the history, rationale, and guidelines for developing a new definition of hypnosis by the Society of Psychological Hypnosis, Division 30 of the American Psychological Association. The definition was developed with the aim of being concise, heuristic, and allowing for alternative theories of the mechanisms (to be determined in empirical scientific study). The definition of hypnosis is presented as well as definitions of the following related terms: hypnotic induction, hypnotizability, and hypnotherapy. The implications for advancing research and practice are discussed. The definitions are presented within the article.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2014.961870

    View details for Web of Science ID 000343985800001

    View details for PubMedID 25365125

  • Managing Anxiety and Depression During Treatment BREAST JOURNAL Spiegel, D., Riba, M. B. 2015; 21 (1): 97-103

    Abstract

    Here, we review the prevalence and treatment of anxiety and depression among patients with breast cancer. Cancer-related symptoms include similarities to responses to traumatic stress. Well-developed screening devices for identifying and tracking psychiatric comorbidity are discussed. Basic principles of psychopharmacology, and individual and group psychotherapy are presented. Finally, effects of effective treatment of anxiety and depression on quality of life and overall survival are reviewed.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/tbj.12355

    View details for Web of Science ID 000347841300013

    View details for PubMedID 25377647

  • Tranceformation: hypnosis in brain and body Spiegel, D. KARGER. 2015: 67
  • Experiences of Mothers Who Are Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Qualitative Exploration. Journal of child sexual abuse Cavanaugh, C. E., Harper, B., Classen, C. C., Palesh, O., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 2015; 24 (5): 506-525

    Abstract

    Child sexual abuse has been associated with a number of problems affecting women over their lifespan, including difficulties with parenting. However, there is a modest number of qualitative studies examining the impact of child sexual abuse on survivors who are mothers. There is a particular need for qualitative investigations that ask survivors who are mothers general questions about the impact of child sexual abuse on their lives rather than those that specifically ask about the impact of child sexual abuse on parenting. The former approach would allow survivors to describe effects that may impact parenting but that survivors do not consciously link to affecting their parenting. Such information may inform interventions to assist this population of survivors. This secondary data analysis examined themes revealed in interviews with 44 survivors of child sexual abuse who were mothers. Participants were seeking treatment for their child sexual abuse and completed an in-person interview in which they were asked open-ended questions about the sexual abuse they experienced as a child and how their abuse affects them now as adults. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. The following six themes emerged from the narratives: (a) being a parent, (b) family of origin dysfunction, (c) the impact of abuse, (d) the abuse history and response to abuse, (e) coping, and (f) hopes and desires for the future. This study highlights several ways in which child sexual abuse impacts survivors who are mothers, areas for further study, and the need for interventions to assist this population in meeting the challenges they face as mothers.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/10538712.2015.1042186

    View details for PubMedID 26301437

  • Hypnotic responsivity and the treatment of flying phobia. American journal of clinical hypnosis Spiegel, D., Maruffi, B., Frischholz, E. J., Spiegel, H. 2015; 57 (2): 156-164

    Abstract

    Systematic follow-up data are reported for 178 consecutive flying phobia patients treated with a single 45-minute session involving hypnosis and a problem restructuring strategy. One hundred fifty-eight (89%) of the patients completed follow-up questionnaires between six months and ten and one half years after treatment. Results showed that hypnotizable patients were over two and one half times more likely to report some positive treatment impact than those who were found to be nonhypnotizable on the Hypnotic Induction Profile. In addition, the patients' previous experiences with psychotherapy were found to be significantly associated with treatment outcome. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00029157.2015.967086

    View details for PubMedID 25928602

  • The hypnotic induction profile and absorption. American journal of clinical hypnosis Frischholz, E. J., Spiegel, D., Trentalange, M. J., Spiegel, H. 2015; 57 (2): 122-128

    Abstract

    This study examined the relationship between scores on the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) and the trait of absorption in three different clinical groups: Smokers (n = 226), Phobics (n = 95), and patients with Chronic Pain (n = 65). Two hypotheses were investigated. The first predicted that both the Eye-Roll sign (ERS) and Induction Score (IND) of the HIP would correlate similarly (r = .30) with scores on the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), as has been previously reported with other measures of hypnotic responsivity in student samples. The second was that using a combination of both ERS and IND scores to predict TAS scores would result in a significant increase in forecasting accuracy over using either HIP measure alone. Both hypotheses were supported in all three clinical groups. Correlations between HIP and Absorption scores ranged from .33 to .53. Clinical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00029157.2015.967065

    View details for PubMedID 25928597

  • Brain Activity and Connectivity Underlying Hypnosis Jiang, H., White, M., Greicius, M., Waelde, L., Spiegel, D. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. 2014: S477–S478
  • Targeting the Psychosexual Challenges Faced by Couples with Breast Cancer: Can Couples Group Psychotherapy Help? Journal of women's health care Lagana, L., Fobair, P., Spiegel, D. 2014; 3 (6)

    Abstract

    The need for the psychosexual rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors and their intimate partners is underscored by the high prevalence of multiple psychosexual difficulties encountered by this patient population. Concerns about health, sexuality, and emotional distress are common among women with breast cancer and are often related to the side effects of cancer treatment. Additionally, both intimate relationship problems and partners' distress are likely to influence patients' psychosexual health. A clearer understanding of these complex clinical issues is needed in order to implement effective psychosexual rehabilitation interventions. In this article, we extended the use of the manualized and empirically validated Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) model to target the specific psychosexual needs of couples with breast (as well as other types of) cancer. In view of the pertinent literature in this area and based on our clinical experience utilizing this group therapy model with different patient populations, we have discussed how clinicians involved in the psychosexual care of oncology patients could apply such a model within a couples group therapy format.

    View details for PubMedID 27239398

  • Palliative Care, Version 1.2014 Featured Updates to the NCCN Guidelines JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Levy, M. H., Smith, T., Alvarez-Perez, A., Back, A., Baker, J. N., Block, S., Codada, S. N., Dalal, S., Dans, M., Kutner, J. S., Kvale, E., Misra, S., Mitchell, W., Sauer, T. M., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Taylor, R. M., Temel, J., Tickoo, R., Urba, S. G., Van Zyl, C., Weinstein, S. M., Bergman, M. A., Scavone, J. L. 2014; 12 (10): 1379-1388

    Abstract

    The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide interdisciplinary recommendations on palliative care for patients with cancer. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the NCCN panel's discussions and guideline updates from 2013 and 2014. These include modifications/additions to palliative care screening and assessment protocols, new considerations for discussing the benefits and risks of anticancer therapy, and approaches to advance care planning. Recent updates focus on enhanced patient-centered care and seek to promote earlier integration of palliative care and advance care planning in oncology.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000343275600004

  • Palliative care, Version 1.2014. Featured updates to the NCCN Guidelines. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Levy, M. H., Smith, T., Alvarez-Perez, A., Back, A., Baker, J. N., Block, S., Codada, S. N., Dalal, S., Dans, M., Kutner, J. S., Kvale, E., Misra, S., Mitchell, W., Sauer, T. M., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Taylor, R. M., Temel, J., Tickoo, R., Urba, S. G., Van Zyl, C., Weinstein, S. M., Bergman, M. A., Scavone, J. L. 2014; 12 (10): 1379-1388

    Abstract

    The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide interdisciplinary recommendations on palliative care for patients with cancer. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the NCCN panel's discussions and guideline updates from 2013 and 2014. These include modifications/additions to palliative care screening and assessment protocols, new considerations for discussing the benefits and risks of anticancer therapy, and approaches to advance care planning. Recent updates focus on enhanced patient-centered care and seek to promote earlier integration of palliative care and advance care planning in oncology.

    View details for PubMedID 25313178

  • Wrist actimetry circadian rhythm as a robust predictor of colorectal cancer patients survival CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL Levi, F., Dugue, P., Innominato, P., Karaboue, A., Dispersyn, G., Parganiha, A., Giacchetti, S., Moreau, T., Focan, C., Waterhouse, J., Spiegel, D. 2014; 31 (8): 891-900

    Abstract

    The disruption of the circadian timing system (CTS), which rhythmically controls cellular metabolism and proliferation, accelerated experimental cancer progression. A measure of CTS function in cancer patients could thus provide novel prediction information for outcomes, and help to identify novel specific therapies. The rest-activity circadian rhythm is a reliable and non-invasive CTS biomarker, which was monitored using a wrist watch accelerometer for 2 days in 436 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The relative percentage of activity in-bed versus out-of-bed (I < O) constituted the tested CTS measure, whose prognostic value for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was determined in a pooled analysis of three patient cohorts with different treatment exposures. Median OS was 21.6 months [17.8-25.5] for patients with I < O above the median value of 97.5% as compared to 11.9 months [10.4-13.3] for those with a lower I < O (Log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses retained continuous I < O as a joint predictor of both OS and PFS, with respective hazard ratios (HR) of 0.954 (p < 0.001) and 0.970 (p < 0.001) for each 1% increase in I < O. HRs had similar values in all the patient subgroups tested. The circadian physiology biomarker I < O constitutes a robust and independent quantitative predictor of cancer patient outcomes, that can be easily and cost-effectively measured during daily living. Interventional studies involving 24-h schedules of clock-targeted drugs, light intensity, exercise and/or meals are needed for testing the relevance of circadian synchronization for the survival of patients with disrupted rhythms.

    View details for DOI 10.3109/07420528.2014.924523

    View details for Web of Science ID 000341754000003

    View details for PubMedID 24927369

  • Minding the body: Psychotherapy and cancer survival BRITISH JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Spiegel, D. 2014; 19 (3): 465-485

    Abstract

    This article reviews evidence regarding effects of psychotherapy on overall cancer survival time. Special emphasis is given to research on adverse effects of depression on cancer survival, breast cancer, and mediating psychophysiological pathways linking psychosocial support to longer survival.It reviews all published clinical trials addressing effects of psychotherapy on cancer survival, emphasizing depression, breast cancer, and psychophysiological evidence linking stress, depression, and support to cancer survival.Systematic literature review and synthesis.Eight of 15 published trials indicate that psychotherapy enhances cancer survival time. No studies show an adverse effect of psychotherapy on cancer survival. Potential psychophysiological mechanisms linking stress to shorter survival include dysregulation of diurnal cortisol, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced natural killer cell activity, shorter telomeres and lower telomerase activity, glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of p53 and BrCA1 gene expression, and sympathetic nervous system activation of vascular endothelial growth factor.Stress and support affect the course of cancer progression.What is known? Stress and support have been thought to be related to cancer risk and progression, but evidence has been mixed. Depression is a natural co-morbid condition with cancer. It has not been clear how stress and support could physiologically affect the rate of cancer progression. Immune function was not thought to have much relevance to cancer progression. Few other physiological mechanisms linking stress to cancer progression were known. What does this paper add? There is evidence from 15 RCTs indicating that effective psychosocial support improves quantity as well as quality of life with cancer. There is evidence that chronic depression predicts poorer prognosis with cancer. Dysregulated circadian cortisol patterns predict more rapid cancer progression. Inflammatory processes affect cancer growth and progression. Sympathetic nervous system activity, telomere length, telomerase activity, and oncogene expression are affected by stress and can affect cancer growth.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/bjhp.12061

    View details for Web of Science ID 000339715400002

    View details for PubMedID 23980690

  • A New Perspective on Distress During the Pelvic Examination: The Role of Traumatic Hyperarousal in Women with Histories of Sexual Violence VIOLENCE AND GENDER Khan, C. T., Greene, C. J., Strauss, J. L., Spiegel, D., Weitlauf, J. C. 2014; 1 (3): 117–23
  • An Ingeneious Study of Intergenerational Transmission of the Effects of PTSD AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 2014; 171 (8): 811–13
  • Dispelling myths about dissociative identity disorder treatment: an empirically based approach. Psychiatry Brand, B. L., Loewenstein, R. J., Spiegel, D. 2014; 77 (2): 169-189

    Abstract

    Objective: Some claim that treatment for dissociative identity disorder (DID) is harmful. Others maintain that the available data support the view that psychotherapy is helpful. Method: We review the empirical support for both arguments. Results: Current evidence supports the conclusion that phasic treatment consistent with expert consensus guidelines is associated with improvements in a wide range of DID patients' symptoms and functioning, decreased rates of hospitalization, and reduced costs of treatment. Research indicates that poor outcome is associated with treatment that does not specifically involve direct engagement with DID self-states to repair identity fragmentation and to decrease dissociative amnesia. Conclusions: The evidence demonstrates that carefully staged trauma-focused psychotherapy for DID results in improvement, whereas dissociative symptoms persist when not specifically targeted in treatment. The claims that DID treatment is harmful are based on anecdotal cases, opinion pieces, reports of damage that are not substantiated in the scientific literature, misrepresentations of the data, and misunderstandings about DID treatment and the phenomenology of DID. Given the severe symptomatology and disability associated with DID, iatrogenic harm is far more likely to come from depriving DID patients of treatment that is consistent with expert consensus, treatment guidelines, and current research.

    View details for DOI 10.1521/psyc.2014.77.2.169

    View details for PubMedID 24865199

  • Posttraumatic growth and diurnal cortisol slope among women with metastatic breast cancer. Psychoneuroendocrinology Diaz, M., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Spiegel, D. 2014; 44: 83-87

    Abstract

    A cancer diagnosis leads to increased psychological and emotional distress. However, in the aftermath of a traumatic event, such as being diagnosed with breast cancer, an individual may also experience beneficial changes in life perspective, relationships with others, and more. These changes are collectively known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Studies have demonstrated that cortisol levels have been linked with cancer survival, yet an investigation of the relationship between PTG and cortisol has yet to be conducted among cancer patients.The relationship of PTG to cortisol levels was examined among 99 metastatic breast cancer patients.We found a significant correlation between PTG and diurnal cortisol slope (Spearman's rho=-0.21, p<0.05), indicating a link between positive psychological changes and healthier endocrine functioning in cancer patients.PTG in response to the stress of cancer was related to more normal (i.e., steeper) diurnal cortisol patterns. Longitudinal studies are recommended to investigate these mechanisms in relationship to cancer survival.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.001

    View details for PubMedID 24767622

  • The circadian timing system in clinical oncology. Annals of medicine Innominato, P. F., Roche, V. P., Palesh, O. G., Ulusakarya, A., Spiegel, D., LĂ©vi, F. A. 2014; 46 (4): 191-207

    Abstract

    Abstract The circadian timing system (CTS) controls several critical molecular pathways for cancer processes and treatment effects over the 24 hours, including drug metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. This results in the circadian time dependency of whole-body and cellular pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anticancer agents. However, CTS robustness and phase varies among cancer patients, based on circadian monitoring of rest- activity, body temperature, sleep, and/or hormonal secretion rhythms. Circadian disruption has been further found in up to 50% of patients with metastatic cancer. Such disruption was associated with poor outcomes, including fatigue, anorexia, sleep disorders, and short progression-free and overall survival. Novel, minimally invasive devices have enabled continuous CTS assessment in non-hospitalized cancer patients. They revealed up to 12-hour differences in individual circadian phase. Taken together, the data support the personalization of chronotherapy. This treatment method aims at the adjustment of cancer treatment delivery according to circadian rhythms, using programmable-in-time pumps or novel release formulations, in order to increase both efficacy and tolerability. A fixed oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin chronotherapy protocol prolonged median overall survival in men with metastatic colorectal cancer by 3.3 months as compared to conventional delivery, according to a meta-analysis (P = 0.009). Further analyses revealed the need for the prevention of circadian disruption or the restoration of robust circadian function in patients on chronotherapy, in order to further optimize treatment effects. The strengthening of external synchronizers could meet such a goal, through programmed exercise, meal timing, light exposure, improved social support, sleep scheduling, and the properly timed administration of drugs that target circadian clocks. Chrono-rehabilitation warrants clinical testing for improving quality of life and survival in cancer patients.

    View details for DOI 10.3109/07853890.2014.916990

    View details for PubMedID 24915535

  • Reality versus fantasy: reply to Lynn et al. (2014). Psychological bulletin Dalenberg, C. J., Brand, B. L., Loewenstein, R. J., Gleaves, D. H., Dorahy, M. J., Cardeña, E., Frewen, P. A., Carlson, E. B., Spiegel, D. 2014; 140 (3): 911-920

    Abstract

    We respond to Lynn et al.'s (2014) comments on our review (Dalenberg et al., 2012) demonstrating the superiority of the trauma model (TM) over the fantasy model (FM) in explaining the trauma-dissociation relationship. Lynn et al. conceded that our meta-analytic results support the TM hypothesis that trauma exposure is a causal risk factor for the development of dissociation. Although Lynn et al. suggested that our meta-analyses were selective, we respond that each omitted study failed to meet inclusion criteria; our meta-analyses thus reflect a balanced view of the predominant trauma-dissociation findings. In contrast, Lynn et al. were hypercritical of studies that supported the TM while ignoring methodological problems in studies presented as supportive of the FM. We clarify Lynn et al.'s misunderstandings of the TM and demonstrate consistent superiority in prediction of time course of dissociative symptoms, response to psychotherapy of dissociative patients, and pattern of relationships of trauma to dissociation. We defend our decision not to include studies using the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Comparison, a rarely used revision of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that shares less than 10% of the variance with the original scale. We highlight several areas of agreement: (a) Trauma plays a complex role in dissociation, involving indirect and direct paths; (b) dissociation-suggestibility relationships are small; and (c) controls and measurement issues should be addressed in future suggestibility and dissociation research. Considering the lack of evidence that dissociative individuals simply fantasize trauma, future researchers should examine more complex models of trauma and valid measures of dissociation.

    View details for DOI 10.1037/a0036685

    View details for PubMedID 24773506

  • Top-Down Regulation of Left Temporal Cortex by Hypnotic Amusia for Rhythm: A Pilot Study on Mismatch Negativity INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Facco, E., Ermani, M., Rampazzo, P., Tikhonoff, V., Saladini, M., Zanette, G., Casiglia, E., Spiegel, D. 2014; 62 (2): 129–44

    Abstract

    To evaluate the effect of hypnotically induced amusia for rhythm (a condition in which individuals are unable to recognize melodies or rhythms) on mismatch negativity (MMN), 5 highly (HH) and 5 poorly (LH) hypnotizable nonmusician volunteers underwent MMN recording before and during a hypnotic suggestion for amusia. MMN amplitude was recorded using a 19-channel montage and then processed using the low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) to localize its sources. MMN amplitude was significantly decreased during hypnotic amusia (p < .04) only in HH, where the LORETA maps of MMN showed a decreased source amplitude in the left temporal lobe, suggesting a hypnotic top-down regulation of activity of these areas and that these changes can be assessed by neurophysiological investigations.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2014.869124

    View details for Web of Science ID 000331785000001

    View details for PubMedID 24568321

  • Psychological reactivity to laboratory stress is associated with hormonal responses in postmenopausal women JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH Fang, C. Y., Egleston, B. L., Manzur, A. M., Townsend, R. R., Stanczyk, F. Z., Spiegel, D., Dorgan, J. F. 2014; 42 (2): 444-456

    Abstract

    The present study examined associations between psychological reactivity and hormonal responses to a standardized laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) in postmenopausal women.Postmenopausal women aged 50-74 years undertook anxiety and mood assessments prior to and following the TSST. Blood samples were drawn at multiple timepoints for assessment of cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).Forty postmenopausal women completed the assessments. As expected, significant increases in anxiety and negative affect and decreases in positive affect were observed after the TSST; however, the magnitude of change in anxiety and mood varied considerably across individuals. Analyses indicated that greater increases in anxiety and negative affect after the TSST were associated with higher levels of cortisol, ACTH and DHEA after controlling for race, age, body mass index and smoking status. Changes in positive affect were not associated with cortisol, ACTH or DHEA.These findings suggest that enhanced reactivity to stress is associated with higher hormone levels among postmenopausal women, which could have potential implications for health.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0300060513504696

    View details for Web of Science ID 000333007000021

    View details for PubMedID 24595153

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4046251

  • BIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF MARITAL STATUS IN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED BREAST CANCER PATIENTS Sephton, S. E., Cash, E., Chagpar, A. B., Spiegel, D., Rebholz, W. N., Bayley, R. C., Zimmaro, L. A., Dhabhar, F. S. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2014: A19–A20
  • THERAPEUTIC MECHANISMS OF CHANGE IN BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS: DOES WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT IN SESSIONS MATTER TO IMPROVEMENT IN TRAUMA SYMPTOMS AND EMOTIONAL SELF-EFFICACY? Giese-Davis, J., Brandelli, Y., Dumanowski, B., Li, Y., Golant, M., Spiegel, D. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2014: A41
  • Bedtime misalignment and progression of breast cancer. Chronobiology international Hahm, B., Jo, B., Dhabhar, F. S., Palesh, O., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Bajestan, S. N., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D., Zeitzer, J. M. 2014; 31 (2): 214-221

    Abstract

    Disruption of circadian rhythms, which frequently occurs during night shift work, may be associated with cancer progression. The effect of chronotype (preference for behaviors such as sleep, work, or exercise to occur at particular times of day, with an associated difference in circadian physiology) and alignment of bedtime (preferred vs. habitual), however, have not yet been studied in the context of cancer progression in women with breast cancer. Chronotype and alignment of actual bedtime with preferred chronotype were examined using the Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MEQ) and sleep-wake log among 85 women with metastatic breast cancer. Their association with disease-free interval (DFI) was retrospectively examined using the Cox proportional hazards model. Median DFI was 81.9 months for women with aligned bedtimes ("going to bed at preferred bedtime") (n = 72), and 46.9 months for women with misaligned bedtimes ("going to bed later or earlier than the preferred bedtime") (n = 13) (log rank p = 0.001). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, after controlling for other significant predictors of DFI, including chronotype (morning type/longer DFI; HR = 0.539, 95% CI = 0.320-0.906, p = 0.021), estrogen receptor (ER) status at initial diagnosis (negative/shorter DFI; HR = 2.169, 95% CI = 1.124-4.187, p = 0.028) and level of natural-killer cell count (lower levels/shorter DFI; HR = 1.641, 95% CI = 1.000-2.695, p = 0.050), misaligned bedtimes was associated with shorter DFI, compared to aligned bedtimes (HR = 3.180, 95% CI = 1.327-7.616, p = 0.018). Our data indicate that a misalignment of bedtime on a daily basis, an indication of circadian disruption, is associated with more rapid breast cancer progression as measured by DFI. Considering the limitations of small sample size and study design, a prospective study with a larger sample is necessary to explore their causal relationship and underlying mechanisms.

    View details for DOI 10.3109/07420528.2013.842575

    View details for PubMedID 24156520

  • Which symptoms matter? Self-report and observer discrepancies in repressors and high-anxious women with metastatic breast cancer. Journal of behavioral medicine Giese-Davis, J., Tamagawa, R., Yutsis, M., Twirbutt, S., Piemme, K., Neri, E., Taylor, C. B., Spiegel, D. 2014; 37 (1): 22-36

    Abstract

    Clinicians working with cancer patients listen to them, observe their behavior, and monitor their physiology. How do we proceed when these indicators do not align? Under self-relevant stress, non-cancer repressors respond with high arousal but report low anxiety; the high-anxious report high anxiety but often have lower arousal. This study extends discrepancy research on repressors and the high-anxious to a metastatic breast cancer sample and examines physician rating of coping. Before and during a Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), we assessed affect, autonomic reactivity, and observers coded emotional expression from TSST videotapes. We compared non-extreme (N = 40), low-anxious (N = 16), high-anxious (N = 19), and repressors (N = 19). Despite reported low anxiety, repressors expressed significantly greater Tension or anxiety cues. Despite reported high anxiety, the high-anxious expressed significantly greater Hostile Affect rather than Tension. Physicians rated both groups as coping significantly better than others. Future research might productively study physician-patient interaction in these groups.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10865-012-9461-x

    View details for PubMedID 23085787

  • Review of psychotherapeutic interventions on depression in cancer patients and their impact on disease progression INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY Barrera, I., Spiegel, D. 2014; 26 (1): 31–43

    Abstract

    Depression, ranging from mild to severe, is the most frequently found psychological symptom among individuals with cancer. Depression in cancer patients has been known to mitigate emotional distress, quality of life, adherence to medical treatment, and overall health outcomes. Specifically, depression has been associated with impaired immune response and with poorer survival in patients with cancer. Various studies have found that psychotherapeutic interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of depression, which in turn could affect disease progression and mortality. This paper provides updated information on psychotherapeutic interventions geared towards cancer patients suffering from depressive disorders, and its impact on disease progression. PubMed, Cochrane Library database, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES databases were searched from January 1980 through August 2013 using key words: psychotherapy, treatment, oncology, cancer, psycho-oncology, psychosocial issues, psychosocial stress, depression, mood disorder, and psychoneuroimmunology.

    View details for DOI 10.3109/09540261.2013.864259

    View details for Web of Science ID 000332130100004

    View details for PubMedID 24716499

  • Trauma and dissociation: implications for borderline personality disorder. Current psychiatry reports Vermetten, E., Spiegel, D. 2014; 16 (2): 434-?

    Abstract

    Psychological trauma can have devastating consequences on emotion regulatory capacities and lead to dissociative processes that provide subjective detachment from overwhelming emotional experience during and in the aftermath of trauma. Dissociation is a complex phenomenon that comprises a host of symptoms and factors, including depersonalization, derealization, time distortion, dissociative flashbacks, and alterations in the perception of the self. Dissociation occurs in up to two thirds of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The neurobiology of traumatic dissociation has demonstrated a heterogeneity in posttraumatic stress symptoms that, over time, can result in different types of dysregulated emotional states. This review links the concepts of trauma and dissociation to BPD by illustrating different forms of emotional dysregulation and their clinical relevance to patients with BPD.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11920-013-0434-8

    View details for PubMedID 24442670

  • Patient-reported sleep disruption as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in metastatic colorectal cancer Ulusakarya, A., Palesh, O., Bjarnason, G. A., Deguzman, C., Haitz, K., Giacchetti, S., Spiegel, D., Levi, F., Innominato, P. F. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2014
  • The circadian timing system in clinical oncology. Annals of Medicine Innominato, P. F., Roche, V. P., Palesh, O., Ulusakaraya, A., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. 2014; 46
  • Dissociative Disorders and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders GABBARD'S TREATMENTS OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, 5TH EDITION Spiegel, D., Gabbard, G. 2014: 437–38
  • Cortisol, cytokines, and hippocampal volume interactions in the elderly. Frontiers in aging neuroscience Sudheimer, K. D., O'Hara, R., Spiegel, D., Powers, B., Kraemer, H. C., Neri, E., Weiner, M., Hardan, A., Hallmayer, J., Dhabhar, F. S. 2014; 6: 153-?

    Abstract

    Separate bodies of literature report that elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and cortisol negatively affect hippocampal structure and cognitive functioning, particularly in older adults. Although interactions between cytokines and cortisol occur through a variety of known mechanisms, few studies consider how their interactions affect brain structure. In this preliminary study, we assess the impact of interactions between circulating levels of IL-1Beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and waking cortisol on hippocampal volume. Twenty-eight community-dwelling older adults underwent blood draws for quantification of circulating cytokines and saliva collections to quantify the cortisol awakening response. Hippocampal volume measurements were made using structural magnetic resonance imaging. Elevated levels of waking cortisol in conjunction with higher concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were associated with smaller hippocampal volumes. In addition, independent of cortisol, higher levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were also associated with smaller hippocampal volumes. These data provide preliminary evidence that higher cortisol, in conjunction with higher IL-6 and TNF-alpha, are associated with smaller hippocampal volume in older adults. We suggest that the dynamic balance between the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and inflammation processes may explain hippocampal volume reductions in older adults better than either set of measures do in isolation.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00153

    View details for PubMedID 25071562

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4079951

  • In memoriam: Edward J. Frischholz, PhD, January 14, 1956-May 10, 2014. International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Spiegel, D., Lipman, L. S., Vermetten, E., Marquis, R., Scheflin, A. W. 2014; 62 (4): 395-398

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2014.932158

    View details for PubMedID 25084615

  • Cortisol, cytokines, and hippocampal volume interactions in the elderly. Frontiers in aging neuroscience Sudheimer, K. D., O'Hara, R., Spiegel, D., Powers, B., Kraemer, H. C., Neri, E., Weiner, M., Hardan, A., Hallmayer, J., Dhabhar, F. S. 2014; 6: 153-?

    Abstract

    Separate bodies of literature report that elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and cortisol negatively affect hippocampal structure and cognitive functioning, particularly in older adults. Although interactions between cytokines and cortisol occur through a variety of known mechanisms, few studies consider how their interactions affect brain structure. In this preliminary study, we assess the impact of interactions between circulating levels of IL-1Beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and waking cortisol on hippocampal volume. Twenty-eight community-dwelling older adults underwent blood draws for quantification of circulating cytokines and saliva collections to quantify the cortisol awakening response. Hippocampal volume measurements were made using structural magnetic resonance imaging. Elevated levels of waking cortisol in conjunction with higher concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were associated with smaller hippocampal volumes. In addition, independent of cortisol, higher levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were also associated with smaller hippocampal volumes. These data provide preliminary evidence that higher cortisol, in conjunction with higher IL-6 and TNF-alpha, are associated with smaller hippocampal volume in older adults. We suggest that the dynamic balance between the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and inflammation processes may explain hippocampal volume reductions in older adults better than either set of measures do in isolation.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00153

    View details for PubMedID 25071562

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4079951

  • Correspondence of plasma and salivary cortisol patterns in women with breast cancer. Neuroendocrinology Zeitzer, J. M., Nouriani, B., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. 2014; 100 (2-3): 153-161

    Abstract

    The 'diurnal slope' of salivary cortisol has been used as a measure of stress and circadian function in a variety of reports with several detailing its association with cancer progression. The relationship of this slope, typically a negative value from high morning concentrations to low evening concentrations, to the underlying daily variation in total plasma cortisol throughout the 24-hour cycle, however, has never been reported.To examine the relationship between the diurnal salivary cortisol slope and the underlying pattern of plasma cortisol in individuals with cancer, we examined a cohort of women with advanced breast cancer (n = 97) who had saliva and plasma collected during a modified 24-hour, constant posture protocol.We found that the steepness of the diurnal slope of salivary cortisol was correlated with the amplitude of plasma cortisol rhythm when the slope was calculated from samples taken at wake + 30 min and 9 PM (r = -0.29, p > 0.05). Other variants of salivary slope calculations were not significantly correlated with the amplitude of the plasma cortisol rhythm. Diurnal salivary cortisol slope steepness was not correlated with the time between habitual waking and the computed circadian peak of cortisol, but there was a correlation between diurnal slope steepness and the time between habitual waking and the time of the awakening spike of morning cortisol (r values <-0.23, p values <0.05).It therefore appears that in women with advanced breast cancer, diurnal salivary cortisol slope primarily represents aspects of the cortisol awakening response in relation to evening levels more than the circadian rhythm of total plasma cortisol. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

    View details for DOI 10.1159/000367925

    View details for PubMedID 25228297

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4304942

  • Actigraphy-Measured Sleep Disruption as a Predictor of Survival among Women with Advanced Breast Cancer. Sleep Palesh, O., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Zeitzer, J. M., Koopman, C., Neri, E., Giese-Davis, J., Jo, B., Kraemer, H., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. 2014; 37 (5): 837-842

    Abstract

    Poor sleep, prevalent among cancer survivors, is associated with disrupted hormonal circadian rhythms and poor quality of life. Using a prospective research design, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between objective measures of sleep efficiency and sleep disruption with survival among women with advanced breast cancer.We examined sleep quality and duration via wrist-worn actigraphy and sleep diaries for 3 days among 97 women in whom advanced breast cancer was diagnosed (age = 54.6 ± 9.8 years). Sleep efficiency was operationalized using actigraphy as the ratio of total sleep time to total sleep time plus wake after sleep onset.As hypothesized, better sleep efficiency was found to predict a significant reduction in overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.98; P < 0.001) at median 6 y follow-up. This relationship remained significant (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.91-0.97; P < 0.001) even after adjusting for other known prognostic factors (age, estrogen receptor status, cancer treatment, metastatic spread, cortisol levels, and depression). Secondary hypotheses were also supported (after adjusting for baseline prognostic factors) showing that less wake after sleep onset (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.25-0.67; P < 0.001), fewer wake episodes, (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98; P = 0.007); and shorter wake episode duration (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.58; P < 0.001) also contributed to reductions in overall mortality.These findings show that better sleep efficiency and less sleep disruption are significant independent prognostic factors in women with advanced breast cancer. Further research is needed to determine whether treating sleep disruption with cognitive behavioral and/or pharmacologic therapy could improve survival in women with advanced breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.5665/sleep.3642

    View details for PubMedID 24790261

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3985107

  • Actigraphy Measured Sleep Disruption as a Predictor of Survival Among Women with Advanced Breast Cancer Spiegel, D., Palesh, O., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Zeitzer, J., Koopman, C., Giese-Davis, J., Jo, B., Kraemer, H., Neri, E., Nouriani, B. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. 2013: S352–S353
  • Psychosocial correlates of sleep quality and architecture in women with metastatic breast cancer. Sleep medicine Aldridge-Gerry, A., Zeitzer, J. M., Palesh, O. G., Jo, B., Nouriani, B., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. 2013; 14 (11): 1178-1186

    Abstract

    Sleep disturbance is prevalent among women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Our study examined the relationship of depression and marital status to sleep assessed over three nights of polysomnography (PSG).Women with MBC (N=103) were recruited; they were predominately white (88.2%) and 57.8±7.7 years of age. Linear regression analyses assessed relationships among depression, marital status, and sleep parameters.Women with MBC who reported more depressive symptoms had lighter sleep (e.g., stage 1 sleep; P<.05), less slow-wave sleep (SWS) (P<.05), and less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (P<.05). Single women had less total sleep time (TST) (P<.01), more wake after sleep onset (WASO) (P<.05), worse sleep efficiency (SE) (P<.05), lighter sleep (e.g., stage 1; P<.05), and less REM sleep (P<.05) than married women. Significant interactions indicated that depressed and single women had worse sleep quality than partnered women or those who were not depressed.Women with MBC and greater symptoms of depression had increased light sleep and reduced SWS and REM sleep, and single women had worse sleep quality and greater light sleep than married counterparts. Marriage was related to improved sleep for women with more depressive symptoms.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.07.012

    View details for PubMedID 24074694

  • Psychosocial correlates of sleep quality and architecture in women with metastatic breast cancer SLEEP MEDICINE Aldridge-Gerry, A., Zeitzer, J. M., Palesh, O. G., Jo, B., Nouriani, B., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. 2013; 14 (11): 1178-1186

    Abstract

    Sleep disturbance is prevalent among women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Our study examined the relationship of depression and marital status to sleep assessed over three nights of polysomnography (PSG).Women with MBC (N=103) were recruited; they were predominately white (88.2%) and 57.8±7.7 years of age. Linear regression analyses assessed relationships among depression, marital status, and sleep parameters.Women with MBC who reported more depressive symptoms had lighter sleep (e.g., stage 1 sleep; P<.05), less slow-wave sleep (SWS) (P<.05), and less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (P<.05). Single women had less total sleep time (TST) (P<.01), more wake after sleep onset (WASO) (P<.05), worse sleep efficiency (SE) (P<.05), lighter sleep (e.g., stage 1; P<.05), and less REM sleep (P<.05) than married women. Significant interactions indicated that depressed and single women had worse sleep quality than partnered women or those who were not depressed.Women with MBC and greater symptoms of depression had increased light sleep and reduced SWS and REM sleep, and single women had worse sleep quality and greater light sleep than married counterparts. Marriage was related to improved sleep for women with more depressive symptoms.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.07.012

    View details for Web of Science ID 000326625400021

    View details for PubMedID 24074694

  • Fatigue and weight loss predict survival on circadian chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer CANCER Innominato, P. F., Giacchetti, S., Moreau, T., Bjarnason, G. A., Smaaland, R., Focan, C., Garufi, C., Iacobelli, S., Tampellini, M., Tumolo, S., Carvalho, C., Karaboue, A., Poncet, A., Spiegel, D., Levi, F. 2013; 119 (14): 2564-2573

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia has been associated with prolonged survival selectively in patients on a conventional schedule (combined 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin [FOLFOX2]) but not on a chronomodulated schedule of the same drugs administered at specific circadian times (chronoFLO4). The authors hypothesized that the early occurrence of chemotherapy-induced symptoms correlated with circadian disruption would selectively hinder the efficacy of chronotherapy. METHODS: Fatigue and weight loss (FWL) were considered to be associated with circadian disruption based on previous data. Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (n = 543) from an international phase 3 trial comparing FOLFOX2 with chronoFLO4 were categorized into 4 subgroups according to the occurrence of FWL or other clinically relevant toxicities during the initial 2 courses of chemotherapy. Multivariate Cox models were used to assess the role of toxicity on the time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The proportions of patients in the 4 subgroups were comparable in both treatment arms (P = .77). No toxicity was associated with TTP or OS on FOLFOX2. The median OS on FOLFOX2 ranged from 16.4 (95% confidence limits [CL], 7.2-25.6 months) to 19.8 months (95% CL, 17.7-22.0 months) according to toxicity subgroup (P = .45). Conversely, FWL, but no other toxicity, independently predicted for significantly shorter TTP (P < .0001) and OS (P = .001) on chronoFLO4. The median OS on chronoFLO4 was 13.8 months (95% CL, 10.4-17.2 months) or 21.1 months (95% CL, 19.0-23.1 months) according to presence or absence of chemotherapy-induced FWL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early onset chemotherapy-induced FWL was an independent predictor of poor TTP and OS only on chronotherapy. Dynamic monitoring to detect early chemotherapy-induced circadian disruption could allow the optimization of rapid chronotherapy and concomitant improvements in safety and efficacy. Cancer 2013;. © 2013 American Cancer Society.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cncr.28072

    View details for Web of Science ID 000325864500010

    View details for PubMedID 23633399

  • An Eye for an I: A 35-Year-Old Woman With Fluctuating Oculomotor Deficits and Dissociative Identity Disorder JOURNAL OF YOUTH STUDIES Bhuvaneswar, C., Spiegel, D. 2013; 16 (4): 351-370

    Abstract

    Abstract Physiologic changes, including neurological or pseudo-neurological symptoms, occur across identity states in dissociative identity disorder (DID) and can be objectively measured. The idea that dissociative phenomena might be associated with changes in brain function is consistent with research on the brain effects of hypnosis. The authors report a case of psycho-physiologic differences among 4 alter personalities manifested by a 35-year-old woman with DID. Differences in visual acuity, frequency of pendular nystagmus, and handedness were observed in this patient both when the alter personalities appeared spontaneously and when elicited under hypnosis. The authors consider several diagnostic possibilities for these findings and discuss whether prevailing treatment recommendations for DID patients could possibly be modified to ameliorate such visual and neurologic symptoms.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2013.784115

    View details for Web of Science ID 000319377100008

  • Actigraphy measured sleep disruption as a predictor of survival in advanced breast cancer Palesh, O., Gerry, A., Zeitzer, J. M., Koopman, C., Jo, B., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2013
  • Losing sleep over cancer: Relationships with negative affect, blood pressure, and disease-free interval among women with metastatic breast cancer. Gerry, A., Palesh, O., Rissling, M., Zeitzer, J. M., Dhabhar, F. S., Jo, B., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2013
  • The impact of positive spousal support on trauma symptoms and sleep disturbance among prostate cancer survivors Kamen, C., Peoples, A., Tejani, M., Palesh, O., Mustian, K., Peppone, L., Janelsins, M., Kamen, F., Lord, R. S., Flynn, P. J., Weiss, M., Spiegel, D., Morrow, G. R. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2013
  • Patients with DID are found and researched more widely than Boysen and VanBergen recognized. journal of nervous and mental disease Brand, B. L., Loewenstein, R. J., Spiegel, D. 2013; 201 (5): 440-?

    View details for DOI 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31828e10d1

    View details for PubMedID 23639895

  • A Systematic Review of PTSD Prevalence and Trajectories in DSM-5 Defined Trauma Exposed Populations: Intentional and Non-Intentional Traumatic Events PLOS ONE Santiago, P. N., Ursano, R. J., Gray, C. L., Pynoos, R. S., Spiegel, D., Lewis-Fernandez, R., Friedman, M. J., Fullerton, C. S. 2013; 8 (4)

    Abstract

    We conducted a systematic review of the literature to explore the longitudinal course of PTSD in DSM-5-defined trauma exposed populations to identify the course of illness and recovery for individuals and populations experiencing PTSD.We reviewed the published literature from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2010 for longitudinal studies of directly exposed trauma populations in order to: (1) review rates of PTSD in the first year after a traumatic event; (2) examine potential types of proposed DSM-5 direct trauma exposure (intentional and non-intentional); and (3) identify the clinical course of PTSD (early onset, later onset, chronicity, remission, and resilience). Of the 2537 identified articles, 58 articles representing 35 unique subject populations met the proposed DSM-5 criteria for experiencing a traumatic event, and assessed PTSD at two or more time points within 12 months of the traumatic event.The mean prevalence of PTSD across all studies decreases from 28.8% (range =3.1-87.5%) at 1 month to 17.0% (range =0.6-43.8%) at 12 months. However, when traumatic events are classified into intentional and non-intentional, the median prevalences trend down for the non-intentional trauma exposed populations, while the median prevalences in the intentional trauma category steadily increase from 11.8% to 23.3%. Across five studies with sufficient data, 37.1% of those exposed to intentional trauma develop PTSD. Among those with PTSD, about one third (34.8%) remit after 3 months. Nearly 40% of those with PTSD (39.1%) have a chronic course, and only a very small fraction (3.5%) of new PTSD cases appears after three months.Understanding the trajectories of PTSD over time, and how it may vary by type of traumatic event (intentional vs. non-intentional) will assist public health planning and treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0059236

    View details for Web of Science ID 000317383200003

    View details for PubMedID 23593134

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3623968

  • Disinformation about dissociation: Dr Joel Paris's notions about dissociative identity disorder. journal of nervous and mental disease Brand, B., Loewenstein, R. J., Spiegel, D. 2013; 201 (4): 354-356

    View details for DOI 10.1097/NMD.0b013e318288d2ee

    View details for PubMedID 23538984

  • CIRCADIAN DISRUPTION AND TUMOR PROMOTION/PROGRESSION SIGNALS IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED BREAST CANCER PATIENTS Cash, E., Sephton, S. E., Chagpar, A. B., Spiegel, D., Rebholz, W. N., Dhabhar, F. S. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2013: A139
  • TRANCEFORMATIONS: HYPNOSIS IN BRAIN AND BODY DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Spiegel, D. 2013; 30 (4): 342-352

    Abstract

    In this review, the role of hypnosis and related psychotherapeutic techniques are discussed in relation to the anxiety disorders. In particular, anxiety is addressed as a special form of mind/body problem involving reverberating interaction between mental and physical distress. The history of hypnosis as a therapeutic discipline is reviewed, after which neurobiological evidence of the effect of hypnosis on modulation of perception in the brain. Specific brain regions involved in hypnosis are reviewed, notably the dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The importance of hypnotizability as a trait, stable variability in hypnotic responsiveness, is discussed. Analogies between the hypnotic state and dissociative reactions to trauma are presented, and the uses of hypnosis in treating posttraumatic stress disorder, stressful situations, and phobias as well as outcome data are reviewed. Effects of hypnosis on control of somatic processes are discussed, and then effects of psychosocial support involving Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy and hypnosis on survival time for cancer patients are evaluated. The evidence indicates an important role for hypnosis in managing anxiety disorders and anxiety related to medical illness.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.22046

    View details for Web of Science ID 000317600800008

    View details for PubMedID 23423952

  • Diurnal cortisol rhythm as a predictor of lung cancer survival BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY Sephton, S. E., Lush, E., Dedert, E. A., Floyd, A. R., Rebholz, W. N., Dhabhar, F. S., Spiegel, D., Salmon, P. 2013; 30: S163-S170

    Abstract

    Poorly coordinated diurnal cortisol and circadian rest-activity rhythms predict earlier mortality in metastatic breast and colorectal cancer, respectively. We examined the prognostic value of the diurnal cortisol rhythm in lung cancer.Lung cancer patients (n=62, 34 female) were within 5 years of diagnosis and had primarily non small-cell lung cancer, with disease stage ranging from early to advanced. Saliva collected over two days allowed calculation of the diurnal cortisol slope and the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Lymphocyte numbers and subsets were measured by flow cytometry. Survival data were obtained for 57 patients. Cox Proportional Hazards analyses were used to test the prognostic value of the diurnal cortisol rhythm on survival calculated both from study entry and from initial diagnosis.The diurnal cortisol slope predicted subsequent survival over three years. Early mortality occurred among patients with higher slopes, or relatively "flat" rhythms indicating lack of normal diurnal variation (Cox Proportional Hazards p=.009). Cortisol slope also predicted survival time from initial diagnosis (p=.012). Flattened profiles were linked with male gender (t=2.04, df=59, p=.046) and low total and cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte counts (r=-.39 and -.30, p=.004 and .035, respectively). After adjustment for possible confounding factors, diurnal slope remained a significant, independent predictor of survival.Flattening of the diurnal cortisol rhythm predicts early lung cancer death. Data contribute to growing evidence that circadian disruption accelerates tumor progression.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.019

    View details for Web of Science ID 000316510800019

    View details for PubMedID 22884416

  • Diurnal cortisol rhythm as a predictor of lung cancer survival. Brain, behavior, and immunity Sephton, S. E., Lush, E., Dedert, E. A., Floyd, A. R., Rebholz, W. N., Dhabhar, F. S., Spiegel, D., Salmon, P. 2013; 30: S163-70

    Abstract

    Poorly coordinated diurnal cortisol and circadian rest-activity rhythms predict earlier mortality in metastatic breast and colorectal cancer, respectively. We examined the prognostic value of the diurnal cortisol rhythm in lung cancer.Lung cancer patients (n=62, 34 female) were within 5 years of diagnosis and had primarily non small-cell lung cancer, with disease stage ranging from early to advanced. Saliva collected over two days allowed calculation of the diurnal cortisol slope and the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Lymphocyte numbers and subsets were measured by flow cytometry. Survival data were obtained for 57 patients. Cox Proportional Hazards analyses were used to test the prognostic value of the diurnal cortisol rhythm on survival calculated both from study entry and from initial diagnosis.The diurnal cortisol slope predicted subsequent survival over three years. Early mortality occurred among patients with higher slopes, or relatively "flat" rhythms indicating lack of normal diurnal variation (Cox Proportional Hazards p=.009). Cortisol slope also predicted survival time from initial diagnosis (p=.012). Flattened profiles were linked with male gender (t=2.04, df=59, p=.046) and low total and cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte counts (r=-.39 and -.30, p=.004 and .035, respectively). After adjustment for possible confounding factors, diurnal slope remained a significant, independent predictor of survival.Flattening of the diurnal cortisol rhythm predicts early lung cancer death. Data contribute to growing evidence that circadian disruption accelerates tumor progression.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.019

    View details for PubMedID 22884416

  • NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELL DIURNAL RHYTHMS AND SLEEP DISRUPTION IN METASTATIC BREAST CANCER Dhabhar, F. S., Jo, B., Neri, E., Zeitzer, J., Bricker, N. M., Nouriani, B., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2013: S160
  • POSITIVE SPOUSAL SUPPORT MATTERS FOR TRAUMA SYMPTOMS AND SLEEP DISTURBANCE IN PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVORS Kamen, C. S., Peoples, A., Tejani, M., Palesh, O., Spiegel, D., Lord, R., Flynn, P., Weiss, M., Morrow, G. SPRINGER. 2013: S9
  • BIO-BEHAVIORAL CONNECTIONS TO OBJECTIVE SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN BREAST CANCER Aldridge-Gerry, A., Palesh, O., Dhabhar, F., Rissling, M., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2013: S159
  • OBESITY IN WOMEN WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER IS ASSOCIATED WITH DISRUPTED CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, POOR SLEEP, DEPRESSION AND REDUCED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Palesh, O., Koopman, C., Zeitzer, J., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Neri, E., Mustian, K., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2013: S160
  • CANCER PROGRESSION AND ALTERATIONS OF SLEEP ARCHITECTURE IN WOMEN WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER Aldridge-Gerry, A., Zeitzer, J., Palesh, O., Dhabhar, F., Jo, B., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2013: S159
  • Dissociation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Evidence from the World Mental Health Surveys BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY Stein, D. J., Koenen, K. C., Friedman, M. J., Hill, E., McLaughlin, K. A., Petukhova, M., Ruscio, A. M., Shahly, V., Spiegel, D., Borges, G., Bunting, B., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., de Girolamo, G., Demyttenaere, K., Florescu, S., Maria Haro, J., Karam, E. G., Kovess-Masfety, V., Lee, S., Matschinger, H., Mladenova, M., Posada-Villa, J., Tachimori, H., Viana, M. C., Kessler, R. C. 2013; 73 (4): 302-312

    Abstract

    Although the proposal for a dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in DSM-5 is supported by considerable clinical and neurobiological evidence, this evidence comes mostly from referred samples in Western countries. Cross-national population epidemiologic surveys were analyzed to evaluate generalizability of the subtype in more diverse samples.Interviews were administered to 25,018 respondents in 16 countries in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess 12-month DSM-IV PTSD and other common DSM-IV disorders. Items from a checklist of past-month nonspecific psychological distress were used to assess dissociative symptoms of depersonalization and derealization. Differences between PTSD with and without these dissociative symptoms were examined across a variety of domains, including index trauma characteristics, prior trauma history, childhood adversity, sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity, functional impairment, and treatment seeking.Dissociative symptoms were present in 14.4% of respondents with 12-month DSM-IV/Composite International Diagnostic Interview PTSD and did not differ between high and low/middle income countries. Symptoms of dissociation in PTSD were associated with high counts of re-experiencing symptoms and net of these symptom counts with male sex, childhood onset of PTSD, high exposure to prior (to the onset of PTSD) traumatic events and childhood adversities, prior histories of separation anxiety disorder and specific phobia, severe role impairment, and suicidality.These results provide community epidemiologic data documenting the value of the dissociative subtype in distinguishing a meaningful proportion of severe and impairing cases of PTSD that have distinct correlates across a diverse set of countries.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.08.022

    View details for Web of Science ID 000314634000004

    View details for PubMedID 23059051

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3589990

  • Using the Science of Psychosocial Care to Implement the New American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Distress Screening Standard JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Wagner, L. I., Spiegel, D., Pearman, T. 2013; 11 (2): 214-221

    Abstract

    The American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) has advanced a new patient-centered accreditation standard requiring programs to implement psychosocial distress screening and referral for psychosocial care. The field of psychosocial oncology has advocated for routine distress screening as an integral component of quality cancer care since the NCCN Distress Management Panel first recommended this practice in 1999. Accreditation standards have a significant impact on practice patterns and quality of care. The new ACoS CoC Psychosocial Distress Screening Standard provides a unique opportunity to integrate the science of psychosocial care into clinical practice. National organizations, including the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, the Association of Oncology Social Work, the Cancer Support Community, and LIVESTRONG, can offer valuable guidance and resources. This article reviews ACoS CoC requirements, highlighting key research findings and providing practical considerations to guide programs with implementation. Although screening for distress encompasses many domains, this article reviews the evidence linking depression-one aspect of distress-and cancer outcomes to highlight the profound influence psychosocial care delivery can have on promoting medical outcomes and quality cancer survivorship. The authors describe distress screening program accomplishments at Northwestern University, including the electronic administration of NIH Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System computerized adaptive testing item banks. Electronic medical record integration facilitates real-time scoring, interpretation, provider notification, and triage for psychosocial care. Roughly one-third of patients have requested assistance with psychosocial needs. As ACoS CoC programs implement psychosocial distress screening and management, the emerging field of implementation science can guide future clinical program developments and research priorities.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000314795200011

    View details for PubMedID 23411387

  • Dissociative Disorders in DSM-5 ANNUAL REVIEW OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, VOL 9 Spiegel, D., Lewis-Fernandez, R., Lanius, R., Vermetten, E., Simeon, D., Friedman, M. 2013; 9: 299-326

    Abstract

    The rationale, research literature, and proposed changes to the dissociative disorders and conversion disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are presented. Dissociative identity disorder will include reference to possession as well as identity fragmentation, to make the disorder more applicable to culturally diverse situations. Dissociative amnesia will include dissociative fugue as a subtype, since fugue is a rare disorder that always involves amnesia but does not always include confused wandering or loss of personality identity. Depersonalization disorder will include derealization as well, since the two often co-occur. A dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), defined by the presence of depersonalization or derealization in addition to other PTSD symptoms, is being recommended, based upon new epidemiological and neuroimaging evidence linking it to an early life history of adversity and a combination of frontal activation and limbic inhibition. Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) will likely remain with the somatic symptom disorders, despite considerable dissociative comorbidity.

    View details for DOI 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050212-185531

    View details for Web of Science ID 000321742100013

    View details for PubMedID 23394228

  • Hahm, BJ., Dhabhar, F., Palesh, O., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Bajestan, S., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D., Zeitzer, J. Bedtime misalignment and progression of Bedtime misalignment and progression of breast cancer Hahm, B. J., Dhabhar, F., Palesh, O., Aldridge-Gerry, A., Bajestan, S., Neri, E., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D., Zeitzer, J. 2013
  • An eye for an I: a 35-year-old woman with fluctuating oculomotor deficits and dissociative identity disorder. International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Bhuvaneswar, C., Spiegel, D. 2013; 61 (3): 351-370

    Abstract

    Abstract Physiologic changes, including neurological or pseudo-neurological symptoms, occur across identity states in dissociative identity disorder (DID) and can be objectively measured. The idea that dissociative phenomena might be associated with changes in brain function is consistent with research on the brain effects of hypnosis. The authors report a case of psycho-physiologic differences among 4 alter personalities manifested by a 35-year-old woman with DID. Differences in visual acuity, frequency of pendular nystagmus, and handedness were observed in this patient both when the alter personalities appeared spontaneously and when elicited under hypnosis. The authors consider several diagnostic possibilities for these findings and discuss whether prevailing treatment recommendations for DID patients could possibly be modified to ameliorate such visual and neurologic symptoms.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2013.784115

    View details for PubMedID 23679117

  • Introduction to Special Issue of Psychoneuroendocrinology "Enduring effects of Traumatic Stress: Molecular and Hormonal Mechanisms" Psychoneuroendocrinology Yehuda, R. n., Hildebrandt, T. n., Spiegel, D. n. 2013

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.018

    View details for PubMedID 23849599

  • Palliative Care JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Levy, M. H., Adolph, M. D., Back, A., Block, S., Codada, S. N., Dalal, S., Deshields, T. L., Dexter, E., Dy, S. M., Knight, S. J., Misra, S., Ritchie, C. S., Sauer, T. M., Smith, T., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Taylor, R. M., Temel, J., Thomas, J., Tickoo, R., Urba, S. G., Von Roenn, J. H., Weems, J. L., Weinstein, S. M., Freedman-Cass, D. A., Bergman, M. A. 2012; 10 (10): 1284-1309

    Abstract

    These guidelines were developed and updated by an interdisciplinary group of experts based on clinical experience and available scientific evidence. The goal of these guidelines is to help patients with cancer experience the best quality of life possible throughout the illness trajectory by providing guidance for the primary oncology team for symptom screening, assessment, palliative care interventions, reassessment, and afterdeath care. Palliative care should be initiated by the primary oncology team and augmented by collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of palliative care experts.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000309901900009

    View details for PubMedID 23054879

  • Functional Brain Basis of Hypnotizability ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY Hoeft, F., Gabrieli, J. D., Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., Haas, B. W., Bammer, R., Menon, V., Spiegel, D. 2012; 69 (10): 1064-1072

    Abstract

    Focused hypnotic concentration is a model for brain control over sensation and behavior. Pain and anxiety can be effectively alleviated by hypnotic suggestion, which modulates activity in brain regions associated with focused attention, but the specific neural network underlying this phenomenon is not known.To investigate the brain basis of hypnotizability.Cross-sectional, in vivo neuroimaging study performed from November 2005 through July 2006.Academic medical center at Stanford University School of Medicine.Twelve adults with high and 12 adults with low hypnotizability.Functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure functional connectivity networks at rest, including default-mode, salience, and executive-control networks; structural T1 magnetic resonance imaging to measure regional gray and white matter volumes; and diffusion tensor imaging to measure white matter microstructural integrity.High compared with low hypnotizable individuals had greater functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an executive-control region of the brain, and the salience network composed of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, amygdala, and ventral striatum, involved in detecting, integrating, and filtering relevant somatic, autonomic, and emotional information using independent component analysis. Seed-based analysis confirmed elevated functional coupling between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in high compared with low hypnotizable individuals. These functional differences were not due to any variation in brain structure in these regions, including regional gray and white matter volumes and white matter microstructure.Our results provide novel evidence that altered functional connectivity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex may underlie hypnotizability. Future studies focusing on how these functional networks change and interact during hypnosis are warranted.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000309412800009

    View details for PubMedID 23026956

  • THE DISSOCIATIVE SUBTYPE OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: RATIONALE, CLINICAL AND NEUROBIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE, AND IMPLICATIONS DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Lanius, R. A., Brand, B., Vermetten, E., Frewen, P. A., Spiegel, D. 2012; 29 (8): 701-708

    Abstract

    Clinical and neurobiological evidence for a dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has recently been documented. A dissociative subtype of PTSD is being considered for inclusion in the forthcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to address the symptoms of depersonalization and derealization found among a subset of patients with PTSD. This article reviews research related to the dissociative subtype including antecedent, concurrent, and predictive validators as well as the rationale for recommending the dissociative subtype.The relevant literature pertaining to the dissociative subtype of PTSD was reviewed.Latent class analyses point toward a specific subtype of PTSD consisting of symptoms of depersonalization and derealization in both veteran and civilian samples of PTSD. Compared to individuals with PTSD, those with the dissociative subtype of PTSD also exhibit a different pattern of neurobiological response to symptom provocation as well as a differential response to current cognitive behavioral treatment designed for PTSD.We recommend that consideration be given to adding a dissociative subtype of PTSD in the revision of the DSM. This facilitates more accurate analysis of different phenotypes of PTSD, assist in treatment planning that is informed by considering the degree of patients' dissociativity, will improve treatment outcome, and will lead to much-needed research about the prevalence, symptomatology, neurobiology, and treatment of individuals with the dissociative subtype of PTSD.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.21889

    View details for Web of Science ID 000307012000005

    View details for PubMedID 22431063

  • DIVIDED CONSCIOUSNESS: DISSOCIATION IN DSM-5 DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Spiegel, D. 2012; 29 (8): 667-670

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.21984

    View details for Web of Science ID 000307012000001

    View details for PubMedID 23150141

  • Stress, Coping, and Circadian Disruption Among Women Awaiting Breast Cancer Surgery ANNALS OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE Dedert, E., Lush, E., Chagpar, A., Dhabhar, F. S., Segerstrom, S. C., Spiegel, D., Dayyat, E., Daup, M., McMasters, K., Sephton, S. E. 2012; 44 (1): 10-20

    Abstract

    Psychological distress and coping related to a breast cancer diagnosis can profoundly affect psychological adjustment, possibly resulting in the disruption of circadian rest/activity and cortisol rhythms, which are prognostic for early mortality in metastatic colorectal and breast cancers, respectively.This study aims to explore the relationships of cancer-specific distress and avoidant coping with rest/activity and cortisol rhythm disruption in the period between diagnosis and breast cancer surgery.Fifty-seven presurgical breast cancer patients provided daily self-reports of cancer-specific distress and avoidant coping as well as actigraphic and salivary cortisol data.Distress and avoidant coping were related to rest/activity rhythm disruption (daytime sedentariness, inconsistent rhythms). Patients with disrupted rest/activity cycles had flattened diurnal cortisol rhythms.Maladaptive psychological responses to breast cancer diagnosis were associated with disruption of circadian rest/activity rhythms. Given that circadian cycles regulate tumor growth, we need greater understanding of possible psychosocial effects in cancer-related circadian disruption.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12160-012-9352-y

    View details for Web of Science ID 000308822700005

    View details for PubMedID 22450856

  • Mind matters in cancer survival PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Spiegel, D. 2012; 21 (6): 588-593

    Abstract

    The very name "psycho-oncology" implies interaction between brain and body. One of the most intriguing scientific questions for the field is whether or not living better may also mean living longer.Randomized intervention trials examining this question will be reviewed.The majority show a survival advantage for patients randomized to psychologically effective interventions for individuals with a variety of cancers, including breast, melanoma, gastrointestinal, lymphoma, and lung cancers. Importantly, for breast and other cancers, when aggressive anti-tumor treatments are less effective, supportive approaches appear to become more useful. This is highlighted by a recent randomized clinical trial of palliative care for non-small cell lung cancer patients.There is growing evidence that disruption of circadian rhythms, including rest-activity patterns and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, affects cancer risk and progression. Women with metastatic breast cancer have flatter diurnal cortisol patterns than normal, and the degree of loss of daily variation in cortisol predicts earlier mortality. Mechanisms by which abnormal cortisol patterns affect metabolism, gene expression, and immune function are reviewed. The HPA hyperactivity associated with depression can produce elevated levels of cytokines that affect the brain. Tumor cells can, in turn, co-opt certain mediators of inflammation such as NFkB, interleukin-6, and angiogenic factors to promote metastasis. Also, exposure to elevated levels of norepinephrine triggers release of vascular endothelial growth factor, which facilitates tumor growth.Therefore, the stress of advancing cancer and management of it is associated with endocrine, immune, and autonomic dysfunction that has consequences for host resistance to cancer progression.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.3067

    View details for Web of Science ID 000304813800003

    View details for PubMedID 22438289

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3370072

  • Psychosocial correlates of sleep architecture in women with advanced breast cancer. 48th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Clinical-Oncology (ASCO) Gerry, A. A., Jo, B., Palesh, O., Zeitzer, J., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2012
  • Circadian rest-activity rhythm as a predictor of survival in metastatic colorectal cancer Spiegel, D., Dugue, P., Innominato, P. F., Karaboue, A., Dispersyn, G., Parganiha, A., Giacchetti, S., Moreau, T., Focan, C. J., Waterhouse, J., Levi, F. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2012
  • Circadian rest-activity rhythm as a predictor of survival in metastatic colorectal cancer Spiegel, D., Dugue, P., Innominato, P. F., Karaboue, A., Dispersyn, G., Parganiha, A., Giacchetti, S., Moreau, T., Focan, C. J., Waterhouse, J., Levi, F. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2012
  • Evaluation of the Evidence for the Trauma and Fantasy Models of Dissociation PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN Dalenberg, C. J., Brand, B. L., Gleaves, D. H., Dorahy, M. J., Loewenstein, R. J., Cardena, E., Frewen, P. A., Carlson, E. B., Spiegel, D. 2012; 138 (3): 550-588

    Abstract

    The relationship between a reported history of trauma and dissociative symptoms has been explained in 2 conflicting ways. Pathological dissociation has been conceptualized as a response to antecedent traumatic stress and/or severe psychological adversity. Others have proposed that dissociation makes individuals prone to fantasy, thereby engendering confabulated memories of trauma. We examine data related to a series of 8 contrasting predictions based on the trauma model and the fantasy model of dissociation. In keeping with the trauma model, the relationship between trauma and dissociation was consistent and moderate in strength, and remained significant when objective measures of trauma were used. Dissociation was temporally related to trauma and trauma treatment, and was predictive of trauma history when fantasy proneness was controlled. Dissociation was not reliably associated with suggestibility, nor was there evidence for the fantasy model prediction of greater inaccuracy of recovered memory. Instead, dissociation was positively related to a history of trauma memory recovery and negatively related to the more general measures of narrative cohesion. Research also supports the trauma theory of dissociation as a regulatory response to fear or other extreme emotion with measurable biological correlates. We conclude, on the basis of evidence related to these 8 predictions, that there is strong empirical support for the hypothesis that trauma causes dissociation, and that dissociation remains related to trauma history when fantasy proneness is controlled. We find little support for the hypothesis that the dissociation-trauma relationship is due to fantasy proneness or confabulated memories of trauma.

    View details for DOI 10.1037/a0027447

    View details for Web of Science ID 000303301500008

    View details for PubMedID 22409505

  • Where Are We Going? An Update on Assessment, Treatment, and Neurobiological Research in Dissociative Disorders as We Move Toward the DSM-5 JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION Brand, B. L., Lanius, R., Vermetten, E., Loewenstein, R. J., Spiegel, D. 2012; 13 (1): 9-31

    Abstract

    This article provides an overview of the process of developing the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association with a focus on issues related to the trauma-related disorders, particularly the dissociative disorders (DD). We also discuss the highlights of research within the past 5 years in the assessment, treatment, and neurobiological basis of trauma disorders. Recent research shows that DD are associated with severe symptoms as well as a higher rate of utilization of mental health treatment compared with other psychiatric disorders. As a result, DD, like other complex posttraumatic disorders, exact a high economic as well as personal burden for patients and society. The latest research indicates that DD patients show a suboptimal response to standard exposure-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder as well as high levels of attrition from treatment. An emerging body of research on DD treatment, primarily of naturalistic and open trials, indicates that patients who receive specialized treatment that addresses their trauma-based, dissociative symptoms show improved functioning and reduced symptoms. Recent studies of the underlying neurobiological basis for dissociation support a model of excessive limbic inhibition in DD that is consistent with the phenomenology and clinical presentation of these patients. We are optimistic that the forthcoming DSM-5 will stimulate research on dissociation and the DD and suggest areas for future studies.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/15299732.2011.620687

    View details for Web of Science ID 000302222900002

    View details for PubMedID 22211439

  • Sleep, diurnal cortisol, and survival among women with metastatic breast cancer Spiegel, D., Hahm, B. CO-ACTION PUBLISHING. 2012
  • Lower peak numbers, blunted diurnal rhythms of immune cell distribution, and sleep disruption in metastatic breast cancer Dhabhar, F. S., Jo, B., Neri, E., Zeitzer, J., Tillie, J. M., Bricker, N. M., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. CO-ACTION PUBLISHING. 2012
  • Psychiatric disorders among cancer patients. Handbook of clinical neurology Ciaramella, A., Spiegel, D. 2012; 106: 557-572

    View details for DOI 10.1016/B978-0-444-52002-9.00033-4

    View details for PubMedID 22608644

  • Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Depression and anxiety Spiegel, D., Loewenstein, R. J., Lewis-Fernández, R., Sar, V., Simeon, D., Vermetten, E., Cardeña, E., Brown, R. J., Dell, P. F. 2011; 28 (12): E17-45

    Abstract

    We present recommendations for revision of the diagnostic criteria for the Dissociative Disorders (DDs) for DSM-5. The periodic revision of the DSM provides an opportunity to revisit the assumptions underlying specific diagnoses and the empirical support, or lack of it, for the defining diagnostic criteria.This paper reviews clinical, phenomenological, epidemiological, cultural, and neurobiological data related to the DDs in order to generate an up-to-date, evidence-based set of DD diagnoses and diagnostic criteria for DSM-5. First, we review the definitions of dissociation and the differences between the definitions of dissociation and conceptualization of DDs in the DSM-IV-TR and the ICD-10, respectively. Also, we review more general conceptual issues in defining dissociation and dissociative disorders. Based on this review, we propose a revised definition of dissociation for DSM-5 and discuss the implications of this definition for understanding dissociative symptoms and disorders.We make the following recommendations for DSM-5: 1. Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) should include derealization symptoms as well. 2. Dissociative Fugue should become a subtype of Dissociative Amnesia (DA). 3. The diagnostic criteria for DID should be changed to emphasize the disruptive nature of the dissociation and amnesia for everyday as well as traumatic events. The experience of possession should be included in the definition of identity disruption. 4. Dissociative Trance Disorder should be included in the Unspecified Dissociative Disorder (UDD) category.There is a growing body of evidence linking the dissociative disorders to a trauma history, and to specific neural mechanisms.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.20923

    View details for PubMedID 22134959

  • P1-01-15: Do Serum Cytokines Predict Breast Cancer Behavior? Lush, E., Dedert, E., Daup, M., Dhabhar, F., Spiegel, D., Tillie, J., McMasters, K., Sephton, S. E., Chagpar, A. AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. 2011
  • Dissociative disorders in DSM-5 DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Spiegel, D., Loewenstein, R. J., Lewis-Fernandez, R., Sar, V., Simeon, D., Vermetten, E., Cardena, E., Dell, P. F. 2011; 28 (12): E17-E45

    Abstract

    We present recommendations for revision of the diagnostic criteria for the Dissociative Disorders (DDs) for DSM-5. The periodic revision of the DSM provides an opportunity to revisit the assumptions underlying specific diagnoses and the empirical support, or lack of it, for the defining diagnostic criteria.This paper reviews clinical, phenomenological, epidemiological, cultural, and neurobiological data related to the DDs in order to generate an up-to-date, evidence-based set of DD diagnoses and diagnostic criteria for DSM-5. First, we review the definitions of dissociation and the differences between the definitions of dissociation and conceptualization of DDs in the DSM-IV-TR and the ICD-10, respectively. Also, we review more general conceptual issues in defining dissociation and dissociative disorders. Based on this review, we propose a revised definition of dissociation for DSM-5 and discuss the implications of this definition for understanding dissociative symptoms and disorders.We make the following recommendations for DSM-5: 1. Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) should include derealization symptoms as well. 2. Dissociative Fugue should become a subtype of Dissociative Amnesia (DA). 3. The diagnostic criteria for DID should be changed to emphasize the disruptive nature of the dissociation and amnesia for everyday as well as traumatic events. The experience of possession should be included in the definition of identity disruption. 4. Dissociative Trance Disorder should be included in the Unspecified Dissociative Disorder (UDD) category.There is a growing body of evidence linking the dissociative disorders to a trauma history, and to specific neural mechanisms.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.20923

    View details for Web of Science ID 000297552900001

  • Conversion Disorder: Current problems and potential solutions for DSM-5 JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH Stone, J., LaFrance, W. C., Brown, R., Spiegel, D., Levenson, J. L., Sharpe, M. 2011; 71 (6): 369-376

    Abstract

    Conversion disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) describes neurological symptoms, including weakness, numbness and events resembling epilepsy or syncope, which can be positively identified as not being due to recognised neurological disease. This review combines perspectives from psychiatry, psychology and neurology to identify and discuss key problems with the current diagnostic DSM-IV criteria for conversion disorder and to make the following proposals for DSM-5: (a) abandoning the label "conversion disorder" and replacing it with an alternative term that is both theoretically neutral and potentially more acceptable to patients and practitioners; (b) relegating the requirements for "association of psychological factors" and the "exclusion of feigning" to the accompanying text; (c) adding a criterion requiring clinical findings of internal inconsistency or incongruity with recognised neurological or medical disease and altering the current 'disease exclusion' criteria to one in which the symptom must not be 'better explained' by a disease if present, (d) adding a 'cognitive symptoms' subtype. We also discuss whether conversion symptoms are better classified with other somatic symptom disorders or with dissociative disorders and how we might address the potential heterogeneity of conversion symptoms in classification.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2011.07.005

    View details for Web of Science ID 000297830100001

    View details for PubMedID 22118377

  • Cortisol Outcomes among Caucasian and Latina/Hispanic Women Caring for a Family Member with Dementia: A Preliminary Examination of Psychosocial Predictors and Effects of a Psychoeducational Intervention STRESS AND HEALTH Holland, J. M., Thompson, L. W., Cucciare, M. A., Tsuda, A., Okamura, H., Spiegel, D., Rasgon, N. L., Gallagher-Thompson, D. 2011; 27 (4): 334-346

    View details for DOI 10.1002/smi.1375

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295876000007

  • A REVIEW OF ACUTE STRESS DISORDER IN DSM-5 DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Bryant, R. A., Friedman, M. J., Spiegel, D., Ursano, R., Strain, J. 2011; 28 (9): 802-817

    Abstract

    Acute stress disorder (ASD) was introduced into DSM-IV to describe acute stress reactions (ASRs) that occur in the initial month after exposure to a traumatic event and before the possibility of diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to identify trauma survivors in the acute phase who are high risk for PTSD. This review considers ASD in relation to other diagnostic approaches to acute stress responses, critiques the evidence of the predictive power of ASD, and discusses ASD in relation to Adjustment Disorder. The evidence suggests that ASD does not adequately identify most people who develop PTSD. This review presents a number of options and preliminary considerations to be considered for DSM-5. It is proposed that ASD be limited to describing severe ASRs (that are not necessarily precursors of PTSD). The evidence suggests that the current emphasis on dissociation may be overly restrictive and does not recognize the heterogeneity of early posttraumatic stress responses. It is proposed that ASD may be better conceptualized as the severity of acute stress responses that does not require specific clusters to be present.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.20737

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295105100006

    View details for PubMedID 21910186

  • DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS IN DSM-5 DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Spiegel, D., Loewenstein, R. J., Lewis-Fernandez, R., Sar, V., Simeon, D., Vermetten, E., Cardena, E., Dell, P. F. 2011; 28 (9): 824-852

    Abstract

    We present recommendations for revision of the diagnostic criteria for the Dissociative Disorders (DDs) for DSM-5. The periodic revision of the DSM provides an opportunity to revisit the assumptions underlying specific diagnoses and the empirical support, or lack of it, for the defining diagnostic criteria.This paper reviews clinical, phenomenological, epidemiological, cultural, and neurobiological data related to the DDs in order to generate an up-to-date, evidence-based set of DD diagnoses and diagnostic criteria for DSM-5. First, we review the definitions of dissociation and the differences between the definitions of dissociation and conceptualization of DDs in the DSM-IV-TR and the ICD-10, respectively. Also, we review more general conceptual issues in defining dissociation and dissociative disorders. Based on this review, we propose a revised definition of dissociation for DSM-5 and discuss the implications of this definition for understanding dissociative symptoms and disorders.We make the following recommendations for DSM-5: 1. Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) should derealization symptoms as well. 2. Dissociative Fugue should become a subtype of Dissociative Amnesia (DA). 3. The diagnostic criteria for DID should be changed to emphasize the disruptive nature of the dissociation and amnesia for everyday as well as traumatic events. The experience of possession should be included in the definition of identity disruption. 4. Should Dissociative Trance Disorder should be included in the Unspecified Dissociative Disorder (UDD) category.There is a growing body of evidence linking the dissociative disorders to a trauma history, and to specific neural mechanisms.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.20874

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295105100008

    View details for PubMedID 21910187

  • CLASSIFICATION OF TRAUMA AND STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS IN DSM-5 DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY Friedman, M. J., Resick, P. A., Bryant, R. A., Strain, J., Horowitz, M., Spiegel, D. 2011; 28 (9): 737-749

    Abstract

    This review examines the question of whether there should be a cluster of disorders, including the adjustment disorders (ADs), acute stress disorder (ASD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the dissociative disorders (DDs), in a section devoted to abnormal responses to stress and trauma in the DSM-5. Environmental risk factors, including the individual's developmental experience, would thus become a major diagnostic consideration. The relationship of these disorders to one another is examined and also their relationship to other anxiety disorders to determine whether they are better grouped with anxiety disorders or a new specific grouping of trauma and stressor-related disorders. First how stress responses have been classified since DSM-III is reviewed. The major focus is on PTSD because it has received the most attention, regarding its proper placement among the psychiatric diagnoses. It is discussed whether PTSD should be considered an anxiety disorder, a stress-induced fear circuitry disorder, an internalizing disorder, or a trauma and stressor-related disorder. Then, ASD, AD, and DD are considered from a similar perspective. Evidence is examined pro and con, and a conclsion is offered recommending inclusion of this cluster of disorders in a section entitled "Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders." The recommendation to shift ASD and PTSD out of the anxiety disorders section reflects increased recognition of trauma as a precipitant, emphasizing common etiology over common phenomenology. Similar considerations are addressed with regard to AD and DD.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/da.20845

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295105100002

    View details for PubMedID 21681870

  • Racial disparities in traumatic stress in prostate cancer patients: secondary analysis of a National URCC CCOP Study of 317 men SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER Purnell, J. Q., Palesh, O. G., Heckler, C. E., Adams, M. J., Chin, N., Mohile, S., Peppone, L. J., Atkins, J. N., Moore, D. F., Spiegel, D., Messing, E., Morrow, G. R. 2011; 19 (7): 899-907

    Abstract

    African American men have the highest rates of prostate cancer of any racial group, but very little is known about the psychological functioning of African American men in response to prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.In this secondary analysis of a national trial testing a psychological intervention for prostate cancer patients, we report on the traumatic stress symptoms of African American and non-African American men.This analysis includes 317 men (African American: n = 30, 9%; non-African American: n = 287, 91%) who were enrolled in the intervention trial, which included 12 weeks of group psychotherapy and 24 months of follow-up. Using mixed model analysis, total score on the Impact of Events Scale (IES) and its Intrusion and Avoidance subscales were examined to determine mean differences in traumatic stress across all time points (0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months). In an additional analysis, relevant psychosocial, demographic, and clinical variables were added to the model.Results showed significantly higher levels of traumatic stress for African American men compared to non-African American men in all models independently of the intervention arm, demographics, and relevant clinical variables. African Americans also had a consistently higher prevalence of clinically significant traumatic stress symptoms (defined as IES total score ≥ 27). These elevations remained across all time points over 24 months.This is the first study to show a racial disparity in traumatic stress specifically as an aspect of overall psychological adjustment to prostate cancer. Recommendations are made for appropriate assessment, referral, and treatment of psychological distress in this vulnerable population.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-010-0880-3

    View details for Web of Science ID 000291357100005

    View details for PubMedID 20414685

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3110634

  • A Comparison of Trauma-Focused and Present-Focused Group Therapy for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Randomized Controlled Trial PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY Classen, C. C., Palesh, O. G., Cavanaugh, C. E., Koopman, C., Kaupp, J. W., Kraemer, H. C., Aggarwal, R., Spiegel, D. 2011; 3 (1): 84-93

    View details for DOI 10.1037/a0020096

    View details for Web of Science ID 000289034000012

  • Mind Matters in Cancer Survival JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Spiegel, D. 2011; 305 (5): 502-503

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jama.2011.69

    View details for Web of Science ID 000286810700025

    View details for PubMedID 21285429

  • Psychiatric and Psychological Issues BREAST SURGICAL TECHNIQUES AND INTERDISCIPLINARY MANAGEMENT Spiegel, D., Dirbas, F. M., ScottConner, C. E. 2011: 327–35
  • Marital Status Predicts Change in Distress and Well-being in Women Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer and Their Peer Counselors BREAST JOURNAL Wittenberg, L., Yutsis, M., Taylor, S., Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Star, P., Spiegel, D. 2010; 16 (5): 481-489

    Abstract

    We conducted a nonrandomized study matching 42 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (sojourners) with 39 trained breast cancer survivors (navigators) who provided one-on-one peer counseling for 3-6 months. Because little is known about how marital status might impact participants in such an intervention, we tested whether being married/partnered buffered navigators and sojourners from distress at baseline and over time. We examined baseline and slopes over time for change in depression and trauma symptoms, and emotional well-being. We were particularly concerned that being matched with a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient might trigger a re-experiencing of trauma symptoms for the navigator, so we examined a re-experiencing subscale. All participants completed baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month assessments. Our hypotheses were tested in separate Analyses of Variance (married versus not) for the 39 sojourners and 34 navigators who provided baseline assessments, and the 29 sojourners and 24 navigators who were matched and provided at least one follow-up. We found no significant baseline associations for navigators or sojourners. Being single/not married was associated with increasing depression symptoms over time in both navigators and sojourners compared with being married/partnered. By 12 months, these increases crossed above the clinical cut-off for significant depression symptoms. Single status did not predict increasing trauma symptoms over time. However, being single/not married predicted a significant increase in navigators' re-experiencing of trauma symptoms. Over time, married sojourners increased significantly in emotional well-being, whereas single/not married navigators did not differ from married navigators. In addition to providing ongoing training and emotional support to navigators, our findings indicate the importance of providing additional support for women who are not married or partnered.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2010.00964.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000281667100005

    View details for PubMedID 20642458

  • Regulation of circadian rhythms and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: an overlooked interaction in cancer LANCET ONCOLOGY Innominato, P. F., Palesh, O., Dhabhar, F. S., Levi, F., Spiegel, D. 2010; 11 (9): 816-817

    View details for Web of Science ID 000282412000011

    View details for PubMedID 20816374

  • Sexual Violence, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and the Pelvic Examination: How Do Beliefs About the Safety, Necessity, and Utility of the Examination Influence Patient Experiences? JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH Weitlauf, J. C., Frayne, S. M., Finney, J. W., Moos, R. H., Jones, S., Hu, K., Spiegel, D. 2010; 19 (7): 1271-1280

    Abstract

    Sexual violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to increased reports of distress and pain during the pelvic examination. Efforts to more fully characterize these reactions and identify core factors (i.e., beliefs about the examination) that may influence these reactions are warranted.This descriptive, cross-sectional study examines the relationship between sexual violence, PTSD, and women's negative reactions to the pelvic examination. Additional analyses highlight how maladaptive beliefs about the safety, necessity, and utility of the pelvic examination may contribute to these reactions. Materials andA total of 165 eligible women veterans were identified via medical record review and mailed a survey that assessed: (1) background information; (2) history of sexual violence; (3) current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder; (4) fear, embarrassment, distress, and pain during the pelvic examination; and (5) core beliefs about the examination. Ninety women (55% response rate) completed the survey.Women with both sexual violence and PTSD reported the highest levels of examination related fear: chi(2) = 18.8, p < .001; embarrassment: chi(2) = 21.2, p < .001; and distress: chi(2) = 18.2, p < .001. Beliefs that the examination was unnecessary or unsafe or not useful were more commonly reported in this group and were associated with higher levels of examination-related fear and embarrassment.Women with sexual violence and PTSD find the pelvic examination distressing, embarrassing, and frightening. Efforts to develop interventions to help reduce distress during the examination are warranted.

    View details for DOI 10.1089/jwh.2009.1673

    View details for Web of Science ID 000279428800007

    View details for PubMedID 20509787

  • Emotion Modulation in PTSD: Clinical and Neurobiological Evidence for a Dissociative Subtype AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Lanius, R. A., Vermetten, E., Loewenstein, R. J., Brand, B., Schmahl, C., Bremner, J. D., Spiegel, D. 2010; 167 (6): 640-647

    Abstract

    In this article, the authors present evidence regarding a dissociative subtype of PTSD, with clinical and neurobiological features that can be distinguished from nondissociative PTSD. The dissociative subtype is characterized by overmodulation of affect, while the more common undermodulated type involves the predominance of reexperiencing and hyperarousal symptoms. This article focuses on the neural manifestations of the dissociative subtype in PTSD and compares it to those underlying the reexperiencing/hyperaroused subtype. A model that includes these two types of emotion dysregulation in PTSD is described. In this model, reexperiencing/hyperarousal reactivity is viewed as a form of emotion dysregulation that involves emotional undermodulation, mediated by failure of prefrontal inhibition of limbic regions. In contrast, the dissociative subtype of PTSD is described as a form of emotion dysregulation that involves emotional overmodulation mediated by midline prefrontal inhibition of the same limbic regions. Both types of modulation are involved in a dynamic interplay and lead to alternating symptom profiles in PTSD. These findings have important implications for treatment of PTSD, including the need to assess patients with PTSD for dissociative symptoms and to incorporate the treatment of dissociative symptoms into stage-oriented trauma treatment.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000278269500008

    View details for PubMedID 20360318

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3226703

  • Compassionate care during the endless hours. The journal of supportive oncology Rabow, M. W., Spiegel, D., Rosenbaum, E. H. 2010; 8 (3): 134-136

    View details for PubMedID 20552927

  • NATURAL PROGRESSION OF SLEEP DISTURBANCE IN 667 BREAST CANCER (BC) AND PROSTATE CANCER (PC) SURVIVORS OVER A TWO YEAR FOLLOW-UP: A URCC CCOP Palesh, O., Pumell, J., Peppone, L., Mustian, K., Janelsins, M., Mohile, S., Spiegel, D., Morrow, G. SPRINGER. 2010: 50
  • Dissociation in the DSM5 JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION Spiegel, D. 2010; 11 (3): 261-265

    View details for DOI 10.1080/15299731003780788

    View details for Web of Science ID 000279449600001

    View details for PubMedID 20603761

  • Hypnosis testing MEDICAL HYPNOSIS PRIMER: CLINICAL AND RESEARCH EVIDENCE Spiegel, D., Barabasz, A. F., Olness, K., Boland, R., Kahn, S. 2010: 11–18
  • HYPNOTIZABILITY, POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN METASTATIC BREAST CANCER INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Keuroghlian, A. S., Butler, L. D., Neri, E., Spiegel, D. 2010; 58 (1): 39-52

    Abstract

    This study assessed whether high hypnotizability is associated with posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in a sample of 124 metastatic breast cancer patients. Hypnotic Induction Profile Scores were dichotomized into low and high categories; posttraumatic intrusion and avoidance symptoms were measured with the Impact of Events Scale (IES); hyperarousal symptoms with items from the Profile of Mood States; and depressive symptoms with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. High hypnotizability was significantly related to greater IES total, IES intrusion symptoms, and depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model showed that IES total predicts high hypnotizability after adjusting for depressive symptoms and hyperarousal. The authors relate these results to findings in other clinical populations and discuss implications for the psychosocial treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207140903310790

    View details for Web of Science ID 000274085500003

    View details for PubMedID 20183737

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3655698

  • PERCEIVED BENEFITS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES OF A BRIEF EXISTENTIAL FAMILY INTERVENTION FOR CANCER PATIENTS/SURVIVORS OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING Garlan, R. W., Butler, L. D., Rosenbaum, E., Siegel, A., Spiegel, D. 2010; 62 (3): 243-268

    Abstract

    This study assessed a range of benefits from participation in a brief existential intervention consisting of a semi-structured videotaped interview with cancer patients and their families designed to illuminate a life legacy for the family (the Life Tape Project [LTP]). Results indicated the majority reported intervention-specific benefits, especially in the areas of symbolic immortality (passing on personal values and philosophy), self-reflection and growth, and improved family cohesion and communication. Participants, particularly those who had perceived their cancer as a threat of death, serious injury, or threat to their physical integrity, and responded with intense fear or helplessness, also reported more general reductions in mood disturbance, improvements in aspects of well-being (including overall quality of life), satisfaction with the understanding they received, and enhanced cancer-related posttraumatic growth. In short, the LTP is a brief, inexpensive, existential intervention that can yield broad positive psychosocial changes for a majority of participants.

    View details for DOI 10.2190/OM.62.3.c

    View details for Web of Science ID 000288501600003

    View details for PubMedID 21495534

  • Does improving mood in depressed patients alter factors that may affect cardiovascular disease risk? JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH Taylor, C. B., Conrad, A., Wilhelm, F. H., Strachowski, D., Khaylis, A., Neri, E., Giese-Davis, J., Roth, W. T., Cooke, J. P., Kraemer, H., Spiegel, D. 2009; 43 (16): 1246-1252

    Abstract

    To determine if improvement in mood would ameliorate autonomic dysregulation, HPA dysfunction, typical risk factors and C-reactive protein in depressed patients with elevated cardiovascular disease risk (CVD), 48 depressed participants with elevated cardiovascular risk factors were randomized to a cognitive behavioral intervention (CBT) or a waiting list control (WLC) condition. Twenty non-depressed age and risk-matched controls were also recruited. Traditional risk factors (e.g., lipids, blood pressure) and C-reactive protein were assessed pre- and post-treatment six months later. Subjects also underwent a psychophysiological stress test while cardiovascular physiology was measured. Salivary cortisol was measured during the day and during the psychological stress test. At post-treatment, the CBT subjects were significantly less depressed than WLC subjects. There was no significant difference in change scores on any of the traditional risk factors or C-reactive protein, cortisol measures, or cardiovascular physiology, except for triglyceride levels and heart rate, which were significantly lower in treatment compared to control subjects. The normal controls exhibited no change in the variables measured during the same time. A significant improvement in mood may have little impact on most traditional or atypical risk factors, cortisol or cardiophysiology.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.05.006

    View details for Web of Science ID 000272860300002

    View details for PubMedID 19577757

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2783820

  • Depression, cortisol, and suppressed cell-mediated immunity in metastatic breast cancer BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY Sephton, S. E., Dhabhar, F. S., Keuroghlian, A. S., Giese-Davis, J., McEwen, B. S., Ionan, A. C., Spiegel, D. 2009; 23 (8): 1148-1155

    Abstract

    Cancer treatment is known to have significant immuno-suppressive/dysregulatory effects. Psychological distress and depression, which often accompany cancer diagnosis and treatment, can also suppress or dysregulate endocrine and immune function. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is critical for protection against a host of pathogens to which cancer patients may be particularly susceptible. CMI is also important for defense against some tumors. This study explored relationships among depressive symptoms, cortisol secretion, and CMI responses in 72 women with metastatic breast cancer. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Saliva was sampled throughout the day over a 3-day period to obtain a physiologic index of diurnal cortisol concentrations and rhythmicity, which is associated with breast cancer survival time. CMI for specific antigens was measured following intradermal administration of seven commonly encountered antigens (tuberculin, tetanus, diphtheria, Streptococcus, Candida, Trichophyton, and Proteus). Analyses adjusting for relevant medical and treatment variables indicated that women reporting more depressive symptoms showed suppressed immunity as measured by lower average induration size. Women with higher mean diurnal cortisol concentrations also showed suppressed immunity as indicated by a decreased number of antigens to which positive reactions were measured. This study highlights the relationships among depression, stress, and immune function in the context of advanced breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbi.2009.07.007

    View details for Web of Science ID 000271754700016

    View details for PubMedID 19643176

  • Regional Brain Activation during Verbal Declarative Memory in Metastatic Breast Cancer CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH Kesler, S. R., Bennett, F. C., Mahaffey, M. L., Spiegel, D. 2009; 15 (21): 6665-6673

    Abstract

    To determine the neurofunctional basis of verbal memory dysfunction in women with metastatic breast cancer. This objective was based on previous research suggesting memory and other cognitive deficits in this population. We attempted to determine if verbal memory impairments were related to the most commonly studied disease parameters including adjuvant chemotherapy and chronic stress-related disruption of limbic system structures.We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to test our hypothesis that women with breast cancer would show significantly lower brain activation during verbal declarative memory tasks compared with age and education-matched healthy female controls. We also assessed several stress-related variables including diurnal cortisol levels to test our hypothesis that women with breast cancer would show higher stress and this would contribute to brain activation deficits during memory tasks.Women with breast cancer had significantly lower prefrontal cortex activation during the memory encoding condition compared with controls. However, the breast cancer group showed significantly greater activation than controls during the recall condition in multiple, diffuse brain regions. There were no significant differences between the groups in stress-related variables. Women who were treated with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy showed lower prefrontal cortex activation during memory encoding.These results suggest that women with metastatic breast cancer may be at risk for verbal memory impairments as a result of altered functional brain activation profiles. These findings may be associated with chemotherapy type and/or other aspects of the breast cancer disease process.

    View details for DOI 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-1227

    View details for Web of Science ID 000271300200024

    View details for PubMedID 19843664

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2859687

  • Effects of Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy on Pain in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Clinical-and-Experimental-Hypnosis Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Neri, E., Giese-Davis, J., Palesh, O., Thorne-Yocam, K. A., DiMiceli, S., Chen, X., Fobair, P., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. 2009: 579–87

    Abstract

    To examine whether a group intervention including hypnosis can reduce cancer pain and trait hypnotizability would moderate these effects.This randomized clinical trial examined the effects of group therapy with hypnosis (supportive-expressive group therapy) plus education compared to an education-only control condition on pain over 12 months among 124 women with metastatic breast cancer.Pain and suffering, frequency of pain, and degree of constant pain were assessed at baseline and 4-month intervals. Those in the treatment group also reported on their experiences using the hypnosis exercises.Intention-to-treat analyses indicated that the intervention resulted in significantly less increase in the intensity of pain and suffering over time, compared to the education-only group, but had no significant effects on the frequency of pain episodes or amount of constant pain, and there was no interaction of the intervention with hypnotizability. Within the intervention group, highly hypnotizable participants, compared to those less hypnotizable, reported greater benefits from hypnosis, employed self-hypnosis more often outside of group, and used it to manage other symptoms in addition to pain.These results augment the growing literature supporting the use of hypnosis as an adjunctive treatment for medical patients experiencing pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1037/a0016124

    View details for Web of Science ID 000269832800009

    View details for PubMedID 19751084

  • Shame, Guilt, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse at Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Group Psychotherapy Treatment JOURNAL OF NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASE Ginburg, K., Butler, L. D., Giese-Davis, J., Cavanaugh, C. E., Neri, E., Koopman, C., Classen, C. C., Spiegel, D. 2009; 197 (7): 536-542

    Abstract

    This study evaluated the effectiveness of group psychotherapy in reducing levels of shame and guilt in adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse at risk for HIV, and whether such reductions would mediate the effects of treatment on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. One hundred sixty-six women were randomized into 3 conditions: a trauma-focused group, a present-focused group, and a waitlist group. Women received 6 months of treatment and were assessed at pretreatment (T1), immediately posttreatment (T2), and 6 months posttreatment (T3). Both treatment conditions resulted in reduced shame and guilt. The treatment effect on PTSD symptoms was mediated by changes in shame, but it was not associated with changes in guilt. These findings suggest that, when treating childhood sexual abuse survivors' PTSD, it is important to address the negative self-appraisals, such as shame, that commonly accompany such symptoms.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181ab2ebd

    View details for Web of Science ID 000268040900010

    View details for PubMedID 19597362

  • A phase III randomized prospective trial of the effect of psychotherapy on distress in 287 prostate cancer patients: A URCC CCOP Study Palesh, O., Mustian, K., Heckler, C., Purnell, J., Peppone, L., Weiss, M., Atkins, J. N., Dakhil, S. R., Spiegel, D., Morrow, G. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2009: CP28–U221
  • Sexual Adjustment and Body Image Scale (SABIS): A New Measure for Breast Cancer Patients BREAST JOURNAL Dalton, E. J., Rasmussen, V. N., Classen, C. C., Grumann, M., Palesh, O. G., Zarcone, J., Kraemer, H. C., Kirshner, J. J., Colman, L. K., Morrow, G. R., Spiegel, D. 2009; 15 (3): 287-290

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a self-report measure of body image and sexual adjustment in breast cancer patients: the Sexual Adjustment and Body Image Scale (SABIS). Three hundred and fifty three women diagnosed with primary breast cancer that had completed initial surgical treatment completed the SABIS and five measures of psychological, psychosocial, and sexual functioning. Psychometric properties of the SABIS were examined and it was found to be a reliable and valid means of assessing body image and sexuality in breast cancer patients following surgery.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2009.00718.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000265899300011

    View details for PubMedID 19645784

  • Psychosocial Predictors of Resilience After the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks JOURNAL OF NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASE Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Azarow, J., Blasey, C. M., Magdalene, J. C., DiMiceli, S., Seagraves, D. A., Hastings, T. A., Chen, X., Garlan, R. W., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. 2009; 197 (4): 266-273

    Abstract

    The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 inflicted distress beyond those directly exposed, thereby providing an opportunity to examine the contributions of a range of factors (cognitive, emotional, social support, coping) to psychological resilience for those indirectly exposed. In an Internet convenience sample of 1281, indices of resilience (higher well-being, lower distress) at baseline (2.5-12 weeks post-attack) were each associated with less emotional suppression, denial and self-blame, and fewer negative worldview changes. After controlling for initial outcomes, baseline negative worldview changes and aspects of social support and coping all remained significant predictors of 6-month outcomes, with worldview changes bearing the strongest relationship to each. These findings highlight the role of emotional, coping, social support, and particularly, cognitive variables in adjustment after terrorism.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31819d9334

    View details for Web of Science ID 000265249600008

    View details for PubMedID 19363383

  • Palliative Care JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Levy, M. H., Back, A., Benedetti, C., Billings, J. A., Block, S., Boston, B., Bruera, E., Dy, S., Eberle, C., Foley, K. M., Karver, S. B., Knight, S. J., Misra, S., Ritchie, C. S., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Urba, S., Von Roenn, J. H., Weinstein, S. M. 2009; 7 (4): 436-473
  • Vagal regulation, cortisol, and sleep disruption in women with metastatic breast cancer. Journal of clinical sleep medicine Palesh, O., Zeitzer, J. M., Conrad, A., Giese-Davis, J., Mustian, K. M., Popek, V., Nga, K., Spiegel, D. 2008; 4 (5): 441-449

    Abstract

    To determine the relationship between hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) dysregulation, vagal functioning, and sleep problems in women with metastatic breast cancer.Sleep was assessed by means of questionnaires and wrist actigraphy for 3 consecutive nights. The ambulatory, diurnal variation in salivary cortisol levels was measured at 5 time points over 2 days. Vagal regulation was assessed via respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA(TF)) during the Trier Social Stress Task.Ninety-nine women (54.6 +/- 9.62 years) with metastatic breast cancer.Longer nocturnal wake episodes (r = 0.21, p = 0.04, N=91) were associated with a flatter diurnal cortisol slope. Sleep disruption was also associated with diminished RSA(TF). Higher RSA baseline scores were significantly correlated with higher sleep efficiency (r = 0.39, p = 0.001, N=68) and correspondingly lower levels of interrupted sleep (waking after sleep onset, WASO; r = -0.38, p = 0.002, N=68), lower average length of nocturnal wake episodes (r = -0.43, p < 0.001, N=68), and a lower self-reported number of hours of sleep during a typical night (r = -0.27, p = 0.02, N=72). Higher RSA AUC was significantly related to higher sleep efficiency (r = 0.45, p < 0.001, N=64), and a correspondingly lower number of wake episodes (r = -0.27, p = 0.04, N=64), lower WASO (r = -0.40, p = 0.001, N=64), and with lower average length of nocturnal wake episodes (r = -0.41, p = 0.001, N=64). While demographics, disease severity, and psychological variables all explained some portion of the development of sleep disruption, 4 of the 6 sleep parameters examined (sleep efficiency, WASO, mean number of waking episodes, average length of waking episode) were best explained by RSA.These data provide preliminary evidence for an association between disrupted nocturnal sleep and reduced RSA the subsequent day, confirming an association between disrupted nocturnal sleep and flattened diurnal cortisol rhythm in women with metastatic breast cancer. They suggest that the stress-buffering effects of sleep may be associated with improved parasympathetic tone and normalized cortisol patterns during the day.

    View details for PubMedID 18853702

  • Breast cancer and psychosocial factors: Early stressful life events, social support, and well-being PSYCHOSOMATICS Ginzburg, K., Wrensch, M., Rice, T., Farren, G., Spiegel, D. 2008; 49 (5): 407-412

    Abstract

    The allostasis theory postulates that stress causes the body to activate physiologic systems in order to maintain stability.The authors sought to examine the relationship between earlier stress and later development of breast cancer (BC).Authors correlated discrete and interactive relationships of stressful life events, social support, and well-being during childhood and adolescence with the occurrence of BC in adulthood among 300 women with primary BC and 305 matched control subjects.BC patients and control subjects reported similar childhood experiences. Yet, although childhood stressful life events were associated with reports of less family support and well being among the controls, those in the BC group who experienced high stress in early childhood actually expressed higher levels of family support and well-being than did those who had experienced lower levels of stress.These findings may reflect a tendency toward a repressive coping style among the BC group, which may be either a risk factor for the disease or a result of having it.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000259590500006

    View details for PubMedID 18794509

  • Meditation with yoga, group therapy with hypnosis, and psychoeducation for long-term depressed mood: A randomized pilot trial JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Butler, L. D., Waelde, L. C., Hastl, T. A., Chen, X., Symons, B., Marshall, J., Kaufman, A., Nagy, T. F., Blasey, C. M., Seibert, E. O., Spiegel, D. 2008; 64 (7): 806-820

    Abstract

    This randomized pilot study investigated the effects of meditation with yoga (and psychoeducation) versus group therapy with hypnosis (and psychoeducation) versus psychoeducation alone on diagnostic status and symptom levels among 46 individuals with long-term depressive disorders. Results indicate that significantly more meditation group participants experienced a remission than did controls at 9-month follow-up. Eight hypnosis group participants also experienced a remission, but the difference from controls was not statistically significant. Three control participants, but no meditation or hypnosis participants, developed a new depressive episode during the study, though this difference did not reach statistical significance in any case. Although all groups reported some reduction in symptom levels, they did not differ significantly in that outcome. Overall, these results suggest that these two interventions show promise for treating low- to moderate-level depression.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/jclp.20496

    View details for Web of Science ID 000256994900002

    View details for PubMedID 18459121

  • Circadian affective, cardiopulmonary, and cortisol variability in depressed and nondepressed individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH Conrad, A., Wilhelm, F. H., Roth, W. T., Spiegel, D., Taylor, C. B. 2008; 42 (9): 769-777

    Abstract

    Depression is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) perhaps mediated by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis or vagal dysregulation. We investigated circadian mood variation and HPA-axis and autonomic function in older (55 years) depressed and nondepressed volunteers at risk for CVD by assessing diurnal positive and negative affect (PA, NA), cortisol, and cardiopulmonary variables in 46 moderately depressed and 19 nondepressed volunteers with elevated CVD risk. Participants sat quietly for 5-min periods (10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00, 19:00, and 21:00), and then completed an electronic diary assessing PA and NA. Traditional and respiration-controlled heart rate variability (HRV) variables were computed for these periods as an index of vagal activity. Salivary cortisols were collected at waking, waking+30min, 12:00, 17:00, and 21:00h. Cortisol peaked in the early morning after waking, and gradually declined over the day, but did not differ between groups. PA was lower and NA was higher in the depressed group throughout the day. HRV did not differ between groups. Negative emotions were inversely related to respiratory sinus arrhythmia in nondepressed participants. We conclude that moderately depressed patients do not show abnormal HPA-axis function. Diurnal PA and NA distinguish depressed from nondepressed individuals at risk for CVD, while measures of vagal regulation, even when controlled for physical activity and respiratory confounds, do not. Diurnal mood variations of older individuals at risk for CVD differ from those reported for other groups and daily fluctuations in NA are not related to cardiac autonomic control in depressed individuals.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2007.08.003

    View details for Web of Science ID 000256651600009

    View details for PubMedID 17884093

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2478702

  • Beneficial effects of hypnosis and adverse effects of empathic attention during percutaneous tumor treatment: When being nice does not suffice JOURNAL OF VASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Lang, E. V., Berbaum, K. S., Pauker, S. G., Faintuch, S., Salazar, G. M., Lutgendorf, S., Laser, E., Logan, H., Spiegel, D. 2008; 19 (6): 897-905

    Abstract

    To determine how hypnosis and empathic attention during percutaneous tumor treatments affect pain, anxiety, drug use, and adverse events.For their tumor embolization or radiofrequency ablation, 201 patients were randomized to receive standard care, empathic attention with defined behaviors displayed by an additional provider, or self-hypnotic relaxation including the defined empathic attention behaviors. All had local anesthesia and access to intravenous medication. Main outcome measures were pain and anxiety assessed every 15 minutes by patient self-report, medication use (with 50 mug fentanyl or 1 mg midazolam counted as one unit), and adverse events, defined as occurrences requiring extra medical attention, including systolic blood pressure fluctuations (> or =50 mm Hg change to >180 mm Hg or <105 mm Hg), vasovagal episodes, cardiac events, and respiratory impairment.Patients treated with hypnosis experienced significantly less pain and anxiety than those in the standard care and empathy groups at several time intervals and received significantly fewer median drug units (mean, 2.0; interquartile range [IQR], 1-4) than patients in the standard (mean, 3.0; IQR, 1.5-5.0; P = .0147) and empathy groups (mean, 3.50; IQR, 2.0-5.9; P = .0026). Thirty-one of 65 patients (48%) in the empathy group had adverse events, which was significantly more than in the hypnosis group (eight of 66; 12%; P = .0001) and standard care group (18 of 70; 26%; P = .0118).Procedural hypnosis including empathic attention reduces pain, anxiety, and medication use. Conversely, empathic approaches without hypnosis that provide an external focus of attention and do not enhance patients' self-coping can result in more adverse events. These findings should have major implications in the education of procedural personnel.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jvir.2008.01.027

    View details for Web of Science ID 000256416300014

    View details for PubMedID 18503905

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2967354

  • Losing sleep over cancer JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Spiegel, D. 2008; 26 (15): 2431-2432

    View details for DOI 10.1200/JCO.2008.16.2008

    View details for Web of Science ID 000255970300005

    View details for PubMedID 18487562

  • Emotional well-being does not predict survival in head and neck cancer patients - A Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Study CANCER Spiegel, D., Kraemer, H. C. 2008; 112 (10): 2326-2327

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cncr.23435

    View details for Web of Science ID 000255437300034

    View details for PubMedID 18338746

  • What is the placebo worth? BMJ (Clinical research ed.) Spiegel, D., Harrington, A. 2008; 336 (7651): 967-968

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmj.39535.344201.BE

    View details for PubMedID 18390494

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2364808

  • Supportive-expressive group therapy for primary breast cancer patients: a randomized prospective multicenter trial PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Classen, C. C., Kraemer, H. C., Blasey, C., Giese-Davis, J., Koopman, C., Palesh, O. G., Atkinson, A., DiMiceli, S., Stonisch-Riggs, G., Westendorp, J., Morrow, G. R., Spiegel, D. 2008; 17 (5): 438-447

    Abstract

    The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a manualized 12-week supportive-expressive group therapy program among primary breast cancer patients treated in community settings, to determine whether highly distressed patients were most likely to benefit and whether therapist's training or experience was related to outcome.Three hundred and fifty-three women within one year of diagnosis with primary breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive supportive-expressive group therapy or to an education control condition. Participants were recruited from two academic centers and nine oncology practices, which were members of NCI's Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and were followed over 2 years.A 2x2x19 analysis of variance was conducted with main effects of treatment condition, cohort, and baseline distress and their interactions. There was no main effect for treatment condition after removing one subject with an extreme score. Highly distressed women did not derive a greater benefit from treatment. Therapist training and psychotherapy experience were not associated with a treatment effect.This study provides no evidence of reduction in distress as the result of a brief supportive-expressive intervention for women with primary breast cancer. Future studies might productively focus on women with higher initial levels of distress.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.1280

    View details for Web of Science ID 000256463200003

    View details for PubMedID 17935144

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3037799

  • Pride following an acute stressor is associated with healthier physiology Giese-Davis, J., Maya, Y., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2008: S125–S125
  • Behavioral medicine interventions for persons with chronic and life-threatening disease: A look at the past and inspiration for the future Lechner, S. C., Schneiderman, N., Williams, R. B., Spiegel, D., Spring, B. SPRINGER. 2008: S88–S88
  • Back to the future: Psychosocial intervention research with cancer patients Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2008: S89
  • Talking about empowerment with a peer counselor predicts increased marital satisfaction in women with breast cancer Wittenberg, L., Yutsis, M., Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Star, P., Houston, D., Conger, J., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2008: S151–S151
  • Process of discussions with peer counselors predicts reduction in trauma symptoms in matched newly diagnosed women with breast cancer Yutsis, M., Wittenberg, L., Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Cordova, M., Star, P., Houston, D., Conger, J. T., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2008: S150–S150
  • Peer counseling improves quality of life for women with breast cancer: A randomized trial Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Lynne, W., Yutsis, M., Star, P., Cordova, M., Houston, D., Conger, J. T., Spiegel, D. SPRINGER. 2008: S74–S74
  • Exploring emotion-regulation and autonomic physiology in metastatic breast cancer patients: Repression, suppression, and restraint of hostility 20th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Behavioral-Medicine Giese-Davis, J., Conrad, A., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. 2008: 226–37

    Abstract

    We examined relationships between three emotion-regulation constructs and autonomic physiology in metastatic breast cancer patients (N = 31). Autonomic measures are not often studied in breast cancer patients and may provide evidence of an increase in allostatic load. Patients included participated as part of a larger clinical trial of supportive-expressive group therapy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were assessed at a semi-annual follow-up. We averaged 3 resting assessments and used measures of Repression, Suppression, Restraint of Hostility, and Body Mass Index as predictors of autonomic response. We found that higher repression was significantly associated with higher diastolic blood pressure, while higher restraint of hostility was significantly associated with higher systolic blood pressure. A repressive emotion regulation style may be a risk factor for higher sympathetic activation possibly increasing allostatic load, while restraint of hostility may be a protective factor for women with metastatic breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.paid.2007.08.002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000251045000021

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2836882

  • Exploring Emotion-Regulation and Autonomic Physiology in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: Repression, Suppression, and Restraint of Hostility. Personality and individual differences Giese-Davis, J., Conrad, A., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. 2008; 44 (1): 226-237

    Abstract

    We examined relationships between three emotion-regulation constructs and autonomic physiology in metastatic breast cancer patients (N = 31). Autonomic measures are not often studied in breast cancer patients and may provide evidence of an increase in allostatic load. Patients included participated as part of a larger clinical trial of supportive-expressive group therapy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were assessed at a semi-annual follow-up. We averaged 3 resting assessments and used measures of Repression, Suppression, Restraint of Hostility, and Body Mass Index as predictors of autonomic response. We found that higher repression was significantly associated with higher diastolic blood pressure, while higher restraint of hostility was significantly associated with higher systolic blood pressure. A repressive emotion regulation style may be a risk factor for higher sympathetic activation possibly increasing allostatic load, while restraint of hostility may be a protective factor for women with metastatic breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.paid.2007.08.002

    View details for PubMedID 18461119

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2836882

  • Psychosocial Factors Associated with Disclosure of HIV Positive Serostatus: Understanding the Influence of Depression and Social Support JOURNAL OF HIV-AIDS & SOCIAL SERVICES Gore-Felton, C., Power, R., Duran, R., Sarlati, S., Palmer, L., Koopman, C., Israelski, D. M., Porter, J., Spiegel, D. 2008; 7 (1): 83–98
  • Vagal Regulation, Cortisol, and Sleep Disruption in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SLEEP MEDICINE Palesh, O., Zeitzer, J. M., Conrad, A., Giese-Davis, J., Mustian, K. M., Popek, V., Nga, K., Spiegel, D. 2008; 4 (5): 441-449

    Abstract

    To determine the relationship between hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) dysregulation, vagal functioning, and sleep problems in women with metastatic breast cancer.Sleep was assessed by means of questionnaires and wrist actigraphy for 3 consecutive nights. The ambulatory, diurnal variation in salivary cortisol levels was measured at 5 time points over 2 days. Vagal regulation was assessed via respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA(TF)) during the Trier Social Stress Task.Ninety-nine women (54.6 +/- 9.62 years) with metastatic breast cancer.Longer nocturnal wake episodes (r = 0.21, p = 0.04, N=91) were associated with a flatter diurnal cortisol slope. Sleep disruption was also associated with diminished RSA(TF). Higher RSA baseline scores were significantly correlated with higher sleep efficiency (r = 0.39, p = 0.001, N=68) and correspondingly lower levels of interrupted sleep (waking after sleep onset, WASO; r = -0.38, p = 0.002, N=68), lower average length of nocturnal wake episodes (r = -0.43, p < 0.001, N=68), and a lower self-reported number of hours of sleep during a typical night (r = -0.27, p = 0.02, N=72). Higher RSA AUC was significantly related to higher sleep efficiency (r = 0.45, p < 0.001, N=64), and a correspondingly lower number of wake episodes (r = -0.27, p = 0.04, N=64), lower WASO (r = -0.40, p = 0.001, N=64), and with lower average length of nocturnal wake episodes (r = -0.41, p = 0.001, N=64). While demographics, disease severity, and psychological variables all explained some portion of the development of sleep disruption, 4 of the 6 sleep parameters examined (sleep efficiency, WASO, mean number of waking episodes, average length of waking episode) were best explained by RSA.These data provide preliminary evidence for an association between disrupted nocturnal sleep and reduced RSA the subsequent day, confirming an association between disrupted nocturnal sleep and flattened diurnal cortisol rhythm in women with metastatic breast cancer. They suggest that the stress-buffering effects of sleep may be associated with improved parasympathetic tone and normalized cortisol patterns during the day.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000209777100009

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2576311

  • The effects of cognitive behavior therapy on depression in older patients with cardiovascular risk. Depression and anxiety Strachowski, D., Khaylis, A., Conrad, A., Neri, E., Spiegel, D., Taylor, C. B. 2008; 25 (8): E1-10

    Abstract

    This study examined the effect of a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) therapy intervention designed to reduce depression in older patients with elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Forty-eight depressed patients with elevated CVD were randomized to a 16-week individual CBT intervention (n = 23) or a wait-list control (WLC) group (n = 25). Pre- and post-treatment measures of depression were obtained during office visits, and measures of positive and negative affect were obtained during laboratory psychological stress testing and at five points during the day. At post-treatment, the CBT subjects were significantly less depressed than WLC subjects on the Hamilton Depression Inventory (F = 52.8, P<.001, ES = 1.85) and the Beck Depression Inventory (F = 17.1, P = <.001, ES = 0.85). Fifty-seven percent (13/23) of subjects in the CBT treatment were considered to be in remission (on the basis of a clinical interview) at post compared to only 4% (1/25) in the WLC (chi(2) = 9.0, P =.003). Treatment subjects reported significantly less stress on the Perceived Stress Scale (F = 23.2, P<.001). CBT significantly improved mean positive affect during the day (F = 12.7, P =.0001) but there were no significant differences in mean negative affect (F = 1.8, P =.19). CBT significantly reduced negative affect (F = 7.1, P =.01) during psychological stress testing but did not affect positive affect. CBT is an effective treatment for reducing depression and increasing positive affect in patients at risk for CVD, but the results vary by time of measurement and measurement setting.

    View details for PubMedID 17377961

  • Breast cancer as trauma: Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN MEDICAL SETTINGS Cordova, M. J., Giese-Davis, J., Golant, M., Kronenwetter, C., Chang, V., Spiegel, D. 2007; 14 (4): 308-319
  • The mind prepared: Hypnosis on surgery JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Spiegel, D. 2007; 99 (17): 1280-1281

    View details for DOI 10.1093/jnci/djm131

    View details for Web of Science ID 000249553700002

    View details for PubMedID 17728211

  • Active treatment with professionals yields promising and sustained advantages for chinese breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial of psychosocial interventions in Hong Kong Ho, R. T., Chan, C. L., Ho, S. M., Lee, P. W., Sham, J. S., Chow, L. W., Spiegel, D. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2007: S13–S13

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon

    View details for Web of Science ID 000249687400026

  • Stress history and breast cancer recurrence JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH Palesh, O., Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Giese-Davis, J., Carlson, R., Spiegel, D. 2007; 63 (3): 233-239

    Abstract

    There is mixed evidence regarding the possible association between a history of stressful or traumatic life events and more rapid breast cancer progression.Retrospective reports of past experiences of traumatic life events were assessed among 94 women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. A traumatic event assessment was conducted using the event-screening question from the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) module of the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV-TR (SCID; 2002). Each reported event was judged by two independent raters to determine whether it met DSM-IV-TR PTSD A1 criteria for a traumatic event. Those events that did not meet such criteria were designated "stressful events."Nearly 42% of the women in the sample were judged to have experienced one or more traumatic events; 28.7% reported only stressful events. A Kruskal-Wallis test found significant differences in disease-free interval among the three groups [chi2 (2, N=94)=6.09, P<.05]. Planned comparisons revealed a significantly longer disease-free interval among women who had reported no traumatic or stressful life events (median=62 months) compared to those who had experienced one or more stressful or traumatic life events (combined median=31 months).A history of stressful or traumatic life events may reduce host resistance to tumor growth. These findings are consistent with a possible long-lasting effect of previous life stress on stress response systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/jjpsychores.2007.05.012

    View details for Web of Science ID 000249309300003

    View details for PubMedID 17719359

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2094358

  • Evidence of dissociative amnesia. Psychological medicine Spiegel, D. 2007; 37 (7): 1064-1065

    View details for PubMedID 17451626

  • Conducting Internet-based HIV/STD prevention survey research: Considerations in design and evaluation AIDS AND BEHAVIOR Pequegnat, W., Rosser, B. R., Bowen, A. M., Bull, S. S., DiClemente, R. J., Bockting, W. O., Elford, J., Fishbein, M., Gurak, L., Horvath, K., Konstan, J., Noar, S. M., Ross, M. W., Sherr, L., Spiegel, D., Zimmerman, R. 2007; 11 (4): 505-521

    Abstract

    The aim of this paper is to advance rigorous Internet-based HIV/STD Prevention quantitative research by providing guidance to fellow researchers, faculty supervising graduates, human subjects' committees, and review groups about some of the most common and challenging questions about Internet-based HIV prevention quantitative research. The authors represent several research groups who have gained experience conducting some of the first Internet-based HIV/STD prevention quantitative surveys in the US and elsewhere. Sixteen questions specific to Internet-based HIV prevention survey research are identified. To aid rigorous development and review of applications, these questions are organized around six common criteria used in federal review groups in the US: significance, innovation, approach (broken down further by research design, formative development, procedures, sampling considerations, and data collection); investigator, environment and human subjects' issues. Strategies promoting minority participant recruitment, minimizing attrition, validating participants, and compensating participants are discussed. Throughout, the implications on budget and realistic timetabling are identified.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10461-006-9172-9

    View details for Web of Science ID 000247241100001

    View details for PubMedID 17053853

  • A longitudinal study of depression, pain, and stress as predictors of sleep disturbance among women with metastatic breast cancer BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY Palesh, O. G., Collie, K., Batiuchok, D., Tilston, J., Koopman, C., Perlis, M. L., Butler, L. D., Carlson, R., Spiegel, D. 2007; 75 (1): 37-44

    Abstract

    Sleep disturbances are common among women with breast cancer and can have serious consequences. The present study examined depression, pain, life stress, and participation in group therapy in relation to sleep disturbances in a sample of women with metastatic breast cancer.Ninety-three women with metastatic breast cancer participated in a large intervention trial examining the effect of the group therapy on their symptoms. They completed measures of depression, pain, life stress, and sleep disturbance at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months.The results showed that higher initial levels of depression at baseline predicted problems associated with getting up in the morning, waking up during the night, and daytime sleepiness. Increases in depression over the course of 12 months were associated with fewer hours of sleep, more problems with waking up during the night and more daytime sleepiness. Higher levels of pain at baseline predicted more problems getting to sleep. Increases in pain predicted more difficulty getting to sleep and more problems waking up during the night. Greater life stress at baseline predicted more problems getting to sleep and more daytime sleepiness.Depression, pain, and life stress scores were each associated with different types of negative change in self-reported sleep disturbances. Depression, especially worsening depression, was associated with the greatest number of types of negative change. The relationships found between sleep disturbance and depression, pain, and life stress suggest specific ways to address the problem of sleep disturbance for women with metastatic breast cancer and show how different types of disturbed sleep may be clinical markers for depression, pain, or life stress in this population.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.11.002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000245832000006

    View details for PubMedID 17166646

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC1894689

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder: medicine or politics (not both) LANCET Spiegel, D., Vermetten, E. 2007; 369 (9566): 992-992

    View details for Web of Science ID 000245286500026

    View details for PubMedID 17382824

  • Effects of age on responsiveness to adjunct hypnotic analgesia during invasive medical procedures PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE Lutgendorf, S. K., Lang, E. V., Berbaum, K. S., Russell, D., Berbaum, M. L., Logan, H., Benotsch, E. G., Schulz-Stubner, S., Turesky, D., Spiegel, D. 2007; 69 (2): 191-199

    Abstract

    To assess the effects of age on responsiveness to self-hypnotic relaxation as an analgesic adjunct in patients undergoing invasive medical procedures.Secondary data analysis from a prospective trial with 241 patients randomized to receive hypnosis, attention, and standard care treatment during interventional radiological procedures. Growth curve analyses, hierarchical linear regressions, and logistic regressions using orthogonal contrasts were used for analysis. Outcome measures were Hypnotic Induction Profile scores, self-reported pain and anxiety, medication use, oxygen desaturation < or =89%, and procedure time.Hypnotizability did not vary with age (p = .19). Patients receiving attention and hypnosis had greater pain reduction during the procedure (p = .02), with trends toward lower pain with hypnosis (p = .07); this did not differ by age. As age increased, patients experienced more rapid pain control with hypnosis (p = .03). There was more rapid anxiety reduction with attention and hypnosis (p = .03). Trends toward lower final anxiety were also observed with attention and hypnosis versus standard care (p = .08), and with hypnosis versus attention (p = .059); these relationships did not differ by age. Patients requested and received less medication and had less oxygen desaturation < or =89% with attention and hypnosis (p < .001); this did not differ by age. However, as age increased, oxygen desaturation was greater in standard care (p = .03). Procedure time was reduced in the attention and hypnosis groups (p = .007); this did not vary by age.Older patients are hypnotizable and increasing age does not appear to mitigate the usefulness of hypnotic analgesia during invasive medical procedures.

    View details for DOI 10.1098/PSY.0b013e31803133ea

    View details for Web of Science ID 000244804800011

    View details for PubMedID 17289823

  • PTSD and Vietnam veterans SCIENCE Vermetten, E., Bremner, J. D., Skelton, L., Spiegel, D. 2007; 315 (5809): 184-184

    View details for Web of Science ID 000243407400012

    View details for PubMedID 17218506

  • Fractal analysis of EEG in hypnosis and its relationship with hypnotizability INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Lee, J., Spiegel, D., Kim, S., Lee, J., Kim, S., Yang, B., Choi, J., Kho, Y., Nam, J. 2007; 55 (1): 14-31

    Abstract

    Fractal analysis was applied to study the trends of EEG signals in the hypnotic condition. The subjects were 19 psychiatric outpatients. Hypnotizability was measured with the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP). Fifty-four sets of EEG data were analyzed by detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), a well-established fractal analysis technique. The scaling exponents, which are the results of fractal analysis, are reduced toward white noise during the hypnotic condition, which differentiates the hypnotic condition from the waking condition. Further, the decrease in the scaling exponents during hypnosis was solely associated with the eye-roll sign within specific cortical areas (F3, C4, and O1/2) closely related to eye movements and attention. In conclusion, the present study has found that the application of the fractal analysis technique can demonstrate the electrophysiological correlations with hypnotic influence on cerebral activity.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207140600995810

    View details for Web of Science ID 000242557700002

    View details for PubMedID 17135061

  • Scientific study of the dissociative disorders PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS Dalenberg, C., Loewenstein, R., Spiegel, D., Brewin, C., Lanius, R., Frankel, S., Gold, S., Van der Kolk, B., Simeon, D., Vermetten, E., Butler, L., Koopman, C., Courtois, C., Dell, P., Nijenhuis, E., Chu, J., Sar, V., Palesh, O., Cuevas, C., Paulson, K. 2007; 76 (6): 400-401

    View details for DOI 10.1159/000107570

    View details for Web of Science ID 000250094100013

    View details for PubMedID 17917478

  • The relationship of child maltreatment and self-capacities with distress when telling one's story of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of child sexual abuse Palesh, O., Classen, C. C., Field, N., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. 2007; 16 (4): 63-80

    Abstract

    This study examined the impact of telling one's story of childhood sexual abuse and its relationship with the survivor's self-capacities and history of other child maltreatment. The baseline data were collected from 134 female CSA survivors who were participating in a large intervention study. Participants were given 10 minutes to describe their childhood sexual abuse and completed a post-interview questionnaire assessing post-traumatic stress symptoms and their emotional response. The distress in response to their narrative was both predicted and mediated by the survivors' self-capacities and other forms of child maltreatment beyond child sexual abuse.

    View details for PubMedID 18032246

  • Commentary: Reversing amnesia about hypnosis AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 2007; 49 (3): 181-182

    View details for Web of Science ID 000243289200004

    View details for PubMedID 17265972

  • Wedding hypnosis to the radiology suite PAIN Spiegel, D. 2006; 126 (1-3): 3-4

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pain.2006.09.009

    View details for Web of Science ID 000243012200002

    View details for PubMedID 17055649

  • Loneliness within a nomological net: An evolutionary perspective JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., Ernst, J. M., Burleson, M., Berntson, G. G., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. 2006; 40 (6): 1054-1085
  • The effect of peer counseling on quality of life following diagnosis of breast cancer: An observational study PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Carson, K., Star, P., Donaghy, J., Cordova, M. J., Stevens, N., Wittenberg, L., Batten, C., Spiegel, D. 2006; 15 (11): 1014-1022

    Abstract

    Women with breast cancer express the greatest need for counseling at the time of diagnosis and report that the intervention they want is to be able to speak with someone who has the same cancer, but has lived through the crisis of treatment and is leading a 'normal' life. We conducted an observational study of a 6-month peer-counseling intervention testing outcomes for both newly diagnosed women (Sojourners) and peer counselors (Navigators) as a first step toward the goal of validating a peer navigator program. Significant improvement in the Sojourners was observed in trauma symptoms, emotional well-being, cancer self-efficacy, and desire for information on breast cancer resources. Navigators maintained baseline levels of the outcome variables, but increased in dissatisfaction with their interactions with their medical team and increased emotional suppression. Our findings indicate that peer navigation may halt a decline in quality of life that is commonly found in the first year following breast cancer diagnosis. In addition, Navigators were not adversely affected by their experience; however, careful training and supervision of Navigators is crucial to overall success. Randomized clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of peer navigator programs.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.1037

    View details for Web of Science ID 000242187400007

    View details for PubMedID 16555366

  • Stress sensitivity in metastatic breast cancer: Analysis of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY Spiegel, D., Giese-Davis, J., Taylor, C. B., Kraemer, H. 2006; 31 (10): 1231-1244

    Abstract

    The normal diurnal cortisol cycle has a peak in the morning, decreasing rapidly over the day, with low levels during the night, then rising rapidly again to the morning peak. A pattern of flatter daytime slopes has been associated with more rapid cancer progression in both animals and humans. We studied the relationship between the daytime slopes and other daytime cortisol responses to both pharmacological and psychosocial challenges of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function as well as DHEA in a sample of 99 women with metastatic breast cancer, in hopes of elucidating the dysregulatory process. We found that the different components of HPA regulation: the daytime cortisol slope, the rise in cortisol from waking to 30 min later, and cortisol response to various challenges, including dexamethasone (DEX) suppression, corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) activation, and the Trier Social Stress Task, were at best modestly associated. Escape from suppression stimulated by 1mg of DEX administered the night before was moderately but significantly associated with flatter daytime cortisol slopes (r=0.28 to .30 at different times of the post DEX administration day, all p<.01). Daytime cortisol slopes were also moderately but significant associated with the rise in cortisol from waking to 30 min after awakening (r=.29, p=.004, N=96), but not with waking cortisol level (r=-0.13, p=.19). However, we could not detect any association between daytime cortisol slope and activation of cortisol secretion by either CRF infusion or the Trier Social Stress Task. The CRF activation test (following 1.5mg of DEX to assure that the effect was due to exogenous CRF) produced ACTH levels that were correlated (r=0.66, p<.0001, N=74) with serum cortisol levels, indicating adrenal responsiveness to ACTH stimulation. Daytime cortisol slopes were significantly correlated with the slope of DHEA (r=.21, p=.04, N=95). Our general findings suggest that flatter daytime cortisol slopes among metastatic breast cancer patients may be related to disrupted feedback inhibition rather than hypersensitivity in response to stimulation.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.09.004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000243095800010

    View details for PubMedID 17081700

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC1790857

  • Reduced hippocampal and amygdalar volume in dissociative identity disorder: not such clear evidence. American journal of psychiatry Spiegel, D. 2006; 163 (11): 2014-?

    View details for PubMedID 17162771

  • Circadian rhythms and physical functioning in cancer patients Spiegel, D., Giese-Davis, J., Barr, T. C., Kraemer, H. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2006: S59–S60
  • Effects of quality of life and coping on depression among adults living with HIV/AIDS JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Gore-Felton, C., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D., Vosvick, M., Brondino, M., Winningham, A. 2006; 11 (5): 711-729

    Abstract

    This prospective study examined the effect of maladaptive coping strategies and psychological quality of life (QOL) on depression at two time points in a diverse sample of persons living with HIV/AIDS (N = 85). The use of maladaptive coping strategies to deal with the stress of living with HIV/AIDS, particularly engaging in various kinds of avoidant behaviors, was significantly associated with greater depression at baseline and increased depression at three months. QOL was the single most important predictor of depression. In an effort to develop effective clinical methods aimed at decreasing depression among adults living with HIV, future studies need to focus on improving quality of life and increasing adaptive coping strategies associated with the stress of living with HIV/AIDS.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/1359105306066626

    View details for Web of Science ID 000240771400006

    View details for PubMedID 16908468

  • Palliative care. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Levy, M. H., Back, A., Bazargan, S., Benedetti, C., Billings, J. A., Block, S., Bruera, E., Carducci, M. A., Dy, S., Eberle, C., Foley, K. M., Harris, J., Knight, S. J., Milch, R., Rhiner, M., Slatkin, N. E., Spiegel, D., Sutton, L., Urba, S., Von Roenn, J. H., Weinstein, S. M. 2006; 4 (8): 776-818

    View details for PubMedID 16948956

  • Association of coping style, pain, age and depression with fatigue in women with primary breast cancer PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Reuter, K., Classen, C. C., Roscoe, J. A., Morrow, G. R., Kirshner, J. J., Rosenbluth, R., Flynn, P. J., Shedlock, K., Spiegel, D. 2006; 15 (9): 772-779

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to explore the relative contributions of coping, depression, pain and age, in the experience of cancer related fatigue. A total of 353 women treated for primary breast cancer were assessed within one year of diagnosis using the Profile of Mood States, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale. Fatigue was positively associated with depression and pain, but inversely related to age. In contrast to our expectations, fighting spirit was not associated with less fatigue. A relationship between coping style and cancer-related fatigue was found exclusively for 'positive reappraisal', a combination of fighting spirit and fatalism. Detectable only in multivariate analysis together with depression, the results suggest a weak association between coping and fatigue. The relationship between cancer related fatigue, age and coping styles requires further exploration within longitudinal studies.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.1012

    View details for Web of Science ID 000240670300003

    View details for PubMedID 16362999

  • Depression and stress reactivity in metastatic breast cancer 64th Annual Meeting of the American-Psychosomatic-Society Giese-Davis, J., Wilhelm, F. H., Conrad, A., Abercrombie, H. C., Sephton, S., Yutsis, M., Neri, E., Taylor, C. B., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2006: 675–83

    Abstract

    Cancer-related distress due to the psychological and physical challenges of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) may result in symptoms of depression, which negatively affects quality and may influence quantity of life. This study investigated how depression affects MBC stress reactivity, including autonomic (ANS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function.Forty-five nondepressed and 45 depressed patients with MBC underwent a modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) while affect, cardiovascular, respiratory, and cortisol responses were measured.At study entry, depressed compared with nondepressed patients had significantly lower log cortisol waking rise levels (p = .005) but no other HPA differences. Positive affect (p = .025) and high-frequency heart-rate variability (lnHF) (p = .002) were significantly lower at TSST baseline in depressed patients. In response to the TSST, depressed patients reported significantly lower positive (p = .050) and greater negative affect (p = .037) and had significantly reduced lnHF (p = .031). In secondary analyses, at TSST baseline both low-frequency (lnLF) (p = .002) and very-low-frequency (lnVLF) (p = .0001) heart rate variability were significantly lower in the depressed group. In secondary analyses during the TSST, those who were depressed had significantly lower lnVLF (p = .008) and did not increase aortic impedance reactivity as much as did the nondepressed during the stressor (p = .005).Depression in patients with MBC was associated with alterations in autonomic regulation, particularly reductions in respiratory sinus arrhythmia, a measure of cardiac vagal control, at baseline and during the TSST. In addition, depression was associated with blunted HPA response to awakening. Both MBC groups had relative cortisol hyporesponsiveness to acute stress.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/01.psy.0000238216.88515.e5

    View details for Web of Science ID 000241205700006

    View details for PubMedID 17012520

  • Self-report and linguistic indicators of emotional expression in narratives as predictors of adjustment to cancer JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE Owen, J. E., Giese-Davis, J., Cordova, M., Kronenwetter, C., Golant, M., Spiegel, D. 2006; 29 (4): 335-345

    Abstract

    Emotional expression and cognitive efforts to adapt to cancer have been linked to better psychological adjustment. However, little is known about the relationship between linguistic indicators of emotional and cognitive coping efforts and corresponding self-report measures of related constructs. In this study, we sought to evaluate the interrelationships between self-reports of emotional suppression and linguistic indicators of emotional and cognitive coping efforts in those living with cancer. Seventy-one individuals attending a community cancer support group completed measures of emotional suppression and mood disturbance and provided a written narrative describing their cancer experience. Self-reports of emotional suppression were associated with more rather than less distress. Although linguistic indicators of both emotional expression and cognitive processing were generally uncorrelated with self-report measures of emotional suppression and mood disturbance, a significant interaction was observed between emotional suppression and use of cognitive words on mood disturbance. Among those using higher levels of emotional suppression, increasing use of cognitive words was associated with greater levels of mood disturbance. These findings have implications for a) the therapeutic use of emotion in psychosocial interventions and b) the use of computer-assisted technologies to conduct content analysis.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10865-006-9061-8

    View details for Web of Science ID 000239354200004

    View details for PubMedID 16845583

  • Emotional expression and diurnal cortisol slope in women with metastatic breast cancer in supportive-expressive group therapy: A preliminary study BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY Giese-Davis, J., DiMiceli, S., Sephton, S., Spiegel, D. 2006; 73 (2): 190-198

    Abstract

    We examined coded emotional expression during an initial therapy session and its association with a known physiological risk factor for early death, aberrant diurnal cortisol slope, in women with metastatic breast cancer. Out of 64 women with metastatic breast cancer randomized to a multi-site clinical intervention trial of supportive-expressive group therapy (SET), a subsample of 29 met eligibility criteria for this study. We tested whether longer mean durations of primary negative affect (fear, sadness, and anger) expression were associated with steeper diurnal cortisol slopes after adjusting for speaking time, repressive-defensiveness, anxiety, and the interaction between repressive-defensiveness and anxiety. We found that steeper cortisol slopes were related to lower repressive-defensiveness and greater primary negative affect expression in line with a priori hypotheses. Additionally we explored whether coded positive affect, defensive/hostile affect, constrained anger, and the interaction between primary negative affect and repressive-defensiveness explained additional variance in diurnal cortisol patterns.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.04.003

    View details for Web of Science ID 000240396000011

    View details for PubMedID 16750288

  • The abuse-related beliefs questionnaire for survivors of childhood sexual abuse CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT Ginzburg, K., Arnow, B., Hart, S., Gardner, W., Koopman, C., Classen, C. C., Giese-Davis, J., Spiegel, D. 2006; 30 (8): 929-943

    Abstract

    To evaluate the psychometric properties of a new measure, the Abuse-Related Beliefs Questionnaire (ARBQ), designed to assess abuse-related beliefs among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Study 1 examined the structure of the scale, and Study 2 evaluated its reliability and validity.One hundred and seventy female CSA survivors recruited into a group psychotherapy intervention study were administered the ARBQ in Study 1. A subsample of 45 women completed the ARBQ again 12 months later. In Study 2, 70 women from a health maintenance organization who identified themselves as survivors of CSA completed the ARBQ along with the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40) and the Symptom Checklist 90R (SCL-90-R).Three reliable ARBQ subscales emerged in Study 1: Guilt, Shame, and Resilience. Twelve-month test-retest reliability was high (r=.60-.64). The internal consistency of the subscales was further supported in Study 2, and validity was demonstrated by moderate to high correlations with the distress measures.The results indicate that the ARBQ has good psychometric characteristics, supporting the feasibility of its use in measuring abuse-related beliefs in research on survivors of CSA. A next step for validation of the ARBQ would be to evaluate its sensitivity in measuring changes in studies of interventions for treating CSA survivors.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.01.004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000240582000007

    View details for PubMedID 16934330

  • Psychophysiological and cortisol responses to psychological stress in depressed and nondepressed older men and women with elevated cardiovascular disease risk PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE Taylor, C. B., Conrad, A., Wilhelm, F. H., Neri, E., DeLorenzo, A., Kramer, M. A., Giese-Davis, J., Roth, W. T., Oka, R., Cooke, J. P., Kraemer, H., Spiegel, D. 2006; 68 (4): 538-546

    Abstract

    The objective of this study was to compare psychophysiological and cortisol reactions to psychological stress in older depressed and nondepressed patients at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).Forty-eight depressed participants and 20 controls with elevated cardiovascular risk factors underwent a psychological stress test during which cardiovascular variables were measured. Salivary cortisol was collected after each test segment. Traditional (e.g., lipids) and atypical (e.g., C-reactive protein) CVD risk factors were also obtained.At baseline, the groups did not differ on lipid levels, flow-mediated vasodilation, body mass index, or asymmetric dimethylarginine. However, the depressed patients had significantly higher C-reactive protein levels. Contrary to our hypothesis, there were no differences in baseline cortisol levels or diurnal cortisol slopes, but depressed patients showed significantly lower cortisol levels during the stress test (p = .03) and less cortisol response to stress. Compared with nondepressed subjects, depressed subjects also showed lower levels of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA(TF)) during the stress test (p = .02).In this sample, older depressed subjects with elevated risk for CVD exhibited a hypocortisol response to acute stress. This impaired cortisol response might contribute to chronic inflammation (as reflected in the elevated C-reactive proteins in depressed patients) and in other ways increase CVD risk. The reduced RSA(TF) activity may also increase CVD risk in depressed patients through impaired autonomic nervous system response to cardiophysiological demands.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/01.psy.0000222372.16274.92

    View details for Web of Science ID 000239330600005

    View details for PubMedID 16868262

  • Design decisions to optimize reliability of daytime cortisol slopes in an older population 26th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Behavioral-Medicine Kraemer, H. C., Giese-Davis, J., Yutsis, M., Neri, E., Gallagher-Thompson, D., Taylor, C. B., Spiegel, D. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2006: 325–33

    Abstract

    The daytime log-cortisol slope appears to be of growing importance in studying the relationship between stress and health. How best to estimate that slope with minimal burden to the participants and the cost of the study is a decision often made without empiric foundation.In 50 older participants, the authors examined cortisol assay comparability across laboratories, assay reliability, test-retest reliability of slopes, and comparability of slope estimates for two, three, and four samples per day.The authors demonstrate in an older sample that 1) assay reliability is a relatively minor issue, that one assay per saliva sample suffices; 2) the use of a sample obtained at wake time for each participant appears to be a preferred anchor for the slope estimate in comparison to a sample 30 minutes postwake time; 3) self-reported times appear preferable to automatic time recording; and 4) test-retest reliability of slopes, however, is not sufficiently high to base a slope estimate on one day; minimally two days and preferably three should be required.Whether these conclusions apply to other populations, or using other protocols, is not assured, but the study itself provides a model that can be used to check research decisions. Unnecessarily imposing a burdensome protocol has both ethical and scientific ramifications and should be carefully avoided.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236540800005

    View details for PubMedID 16582041

  • Recognizing traumatic dissociation AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 2006; 163 (4): 566-568

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236541200002

    View details for PubMedID 16585425

  • Improving methods of assessing natural killer cell cytotoxicity INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH Sephton, S. E., Kraemer, H. C., Neri, E., Stites, D. P., Weissbecker, I., Spiegel, D. 2006; 15 (1): 12-21

    Abstract

    Natural killer (NK) cells are a class of lymphocytes important in immune resistance to viral and other serious diseases. The cytotoxic function, or 'killing activity' of NK cells has become important in studies of the effects of stress and other psychosocial factors on physical health. Unfortunately, research on NK cell function has been plagued by discrepancies in the methods of interpreting NK cytotoxicity data. We briefly review some of the variations in measuring NK cell activity and present a new model for interpreting these results, introducing maximal target cell lysis (A) and the slope of the cytolytic curve (k) as parameters that attempt to make full use of the information and the statistical power in NK cell cytotoxicity data. Examples of these interpretation methods are presented using NK cytotoxicity data from a group of metastatic breast cancer patients. This approach will be useful in applications of NK cell measurement in psychoneuroimmunology research.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/mpr.26

    View details for Web of Science ID 000237427900002

    View details for PubMedID 16676682

  • Supportive-expressive group therapy and survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer: A randomized clinical intervention trial. 29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Spiegel, D., Butler, L. D., Giese-Davis, J., Koopman, C., Miller, E., DiMiceli, S., Classen, C. C., Fobair, P., Carlson, R. W., Kraemer, H. C. SPRINGER. 2006: S240–S240
  • Letter to the Editor. DSM-1V-TR The American Journal of Psychiatry Spiegel D. 2006; 163 (9): 1464
  • Recognizing Traumatic Dissociation American Journal of Pyschiatry Spiegel D. 2006; 163: 566-568
  • The life tape project: Increasing family social support and symbolic immortality with a brief existential intervention for cancer patients and their families. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING Rosenbaum, E., Garlan, R. W., Hirschberger, N., Siegel, A. L., Butler, L. D., Spiegel, D. 2006; 53 (4): 321-339
  • Loneliness within a nomological net: An evolutionary perspective Juornal of Research in Personality Cacioppo J T, Hawkley L C, Ernst J M, Burleson M, Bernston G G, Nouriani B, Spiegel D. 2006; 40 (6): 1054-1085
  • Letter to the Editor Desgragation mentale The American Journal of Pyschiatry Spiegel D. 2006; 163 (9): 1464
  • A randomized controlled trial of psychosocial interventions using the psychophysiological framework for Chinese breast cancer patients Annual Conference of the Association-of-Oncology-Social-Work Chan, C. L., Ho, R. T., Lee, P. W., Cheng, J. Y., Leung, P. P., Foo, W., Chow, L. W., Sham, J. S., Spiegel, D. HAWORTH PRESS INC. 2006: 3–26

    Abstract

    This study aimed to investigate the psychophysiological outcomes of different psychosocial interventions for breast cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 intervention groups, namely, Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS), Supportive-Expressive (SE), and Social Support Self-Help (SS) groups; a no-intervention group was used as control. Salivary cortisol was used as the physiological stress marker. Distress level, mental adjustment, emotional control, and social support were measured. Data were collected at baseline, 4 month, and 8 month. Preliminary results indicated that BMS intervention produced the greatest and the most sustained effects. It enhanced positive social support, reduced psychological distress, emotional control, and negative mental adjustment. Total salivary cortisol was lowered after 8 months. Most participants in SE groups indicated the treatment helpful, but changes in psychophysiological outcomes were not statistically significant. Participants in SS groups seemed less likely to benefit from the intervention. The no intervention control group indicated a reduction in social support. These outcomes suggest that active professional intervention is more likely to yield therapeutic effects. In particular, psychosocial intervention attending to the spiritual dimension contributes to positive outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.1300/J077v24n01_02

    View details for Web of Science ID 000240391200002

    View details for PubMedID 16803749

  • Evidence for a dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder among help-seeking childhood sexual abuse survivors. Journal of trauma & dissociation Ginzburg, K., Koopman, C., Butler, L. D., Palesh, O., Kraemer, H. C., Classen, C. C., Spiegel, D. 2006; 7 (2): 7-27

    Abstract

    This study examined evidence for a dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women seeking psychotherapy for childhood sexual abuse (CSA). One hundred and twenty-two women seeking treatment for CSA completed a battery of questionnaires assessing PTSD, dissociative symptoms, and child maltreatment. Using signal detection analysis, we identified high and low dissociation PTSD subgroups. A constellation of three PTSD symptoms-hypervigilance, sense of foreshortened future, and sleep difficulties-discriminated between these two subgroups (OR = 8.15). Further evidence was provided by the finding of a nonlinear relationship between severity of childhood maltreatment and dissociation in the women with PTSD. These results provide support for a dissociative subtype of PTSD that may stem from more severe childhood experiences of neglect and abuse.

    View details for PubMedID 16769663

  • Disengagement and social support moderate distress among women with a family history of breast cancer BREAST JOURNAL Turner-Cobb, J. M., Bloor, L. E., Whittemore, A. S., West, D., Spiegel, D. 2006; 12 (1): 7-15

    Abstract

    Using a cross-sectional, exploratory design, this pilot study analyzed the relationships between familial history of breast cancer and psychological distress in order to evaluate who is more distressed and to assess the possible need for intervention. Coping style, social support, and family relations were investigated as potential moderators of these relationships. Participants were 45 women with a familial history of breast cancer recruited from the Family Registry for Breast Cancer (FRBC) at the Northern California Cancer Center (NCCC). Contrary to previous reports of similar cohorts, the overall level of psychological distress in this cohort was comparable to normative samples. The number of relatives with breast cancer was related to distress as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scale, but there was no significant differentiation in distress associated with the number of first-degree as compared to second- and third-degree relatives with breast cancer. Having more relatives that had died from breast cancer was associated with greater distress on a number of measures. The number of first-degree relative deaths, including maternal death, was also associated with distress. Positive and network support, disengagement coping responses, and family cohesion were each significant moderators of the impact of family history on distress. This association between distress and disengagement is similar to that found in metastatic breast cancer patients themselves, and the findings suggest a subgroup that merits and might respond to more intensive intervention to provide support and facilitate emotional expression.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000235532900003

    View details for PubMedID 16409581

  • The relationship between depression and medical illness PATIENT CARE Katon, W. J., Wulsin, L. R., Spiegel, D. 2005; 39 (10): 12-?
  • Social support and maladaptive coping as predictors of the change in physical health symptoms among persons living with HIV/AIDS AIDS PATIENT CARE AND STDS Ashton, E., Vosvick, M., Chesney, M., Gore-Felton, C., Koopman, C., O'Shea, K., Maldonado, J., Bachmann, M. H., Israelski, D., Flamm, J., Spiegel, D. 2005; 19 (9): 587-598

    Abstract

    This study examined social support and maladaptive coping as predictors of HIV-related health symptoms. Sixty-five men and women living with HIV/AIDS completed baseline measures assessing coping strategies, social support, and HIV-related health symptoms. The sample was primarily low-income and diverse with respect to gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Three, 6, and 12 months after completing baseline assessments, physical health symptoms associated with HIV disease were assessed. After controlling for demographic characteristics, CD4 T-cell count, and baseline HIV-related health symptoms, individuals reporting lower increase in HIV-related health symptoms used less venting (expressing emotional distress) as a strategy for coping with HIV. However, when satisfaction with social support was added to the model, the use of this coping strategy was no longer significant, and individuals reporting more satisfying social support were more likely to report lower increase in their HIV-related health symptoms, suggesting that social support is a robust predictor of health outcomes over time independent of coping style and baseline medical status. These findings provide further evidence that social support can buffer deleterious health outcomes among individuals with a chronic illness. Future research needs to examine mediating pathways that can explain this relationship.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000232058300006

    View details for PubMedID 16164385

  • Mood disorders in the medically ill: Scientific review and recommendations BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY Evans, D. L., Charney, D. S., Lewis, L., Golden, R. N., Gorman, J. M., Krishnan, K. R., Nemeroff, C. B., Bremner, J. D., Carney, R. M., Coyne, J. C., DeLong, M. R., Frasure-Smith, N., Glassman, A. H., Gold, P. W., Grant, I., Gwyther, L., Ironson, G., Johnson, R. L., Kanner, A. M., Katon, W. J., Kaufmann, P. G., Keefe, F. J., Ketter, T., Laughren, T. P., Leserman, J., Lyketsos, C. G., McDonald, W. M., McEwen, B. S., Miller, A. H., Musselman, D., O'Connor, C., Petitto, J. M., Pollock, B. G., Robinson, R. G., Roose, S. P., Rowland, J., Sheline, Y., Sheps, D. S., Simon, G., Spiegel, D., Stunkard, A., Sunderland, T., Tibbits, P., Valvo, W. J. 2005; 58 (3): 175-189

    Abstract

    The purpose of this review is to assess the relationship between mood disorders and development, course, and associated morbidity and mortality of selected medical illnesses, review evidence for treatment, and determine needs in clinical practice and research.Data were culled from the 2002 Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Conference proceedings and a literature review addressing prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. This review also considered the experience of primary and specialty care providers, policy analysts, and patient advocates. The review and recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the authors.Reviews of epidemiology and mechanistic studies were included, as were open-label and randomized, controlled trials on treatment of depression in patients with medical comorbidities. Data on study design, population, and results were extracted for review of evidence that includes tables of prevalence and pharmacological treatment. The effect of depression and bipolar disorder on selected medical comorbidities was assessed, and recommendations for practice, research, and policy were developed.A growing body of evidence suggests that biological mechanisms underlie a bidirectional link between mood disorders and many medical illnesses. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that mood disorders affect the course of medical illnesses. Further prospective studies are warranted.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.05.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000231057100001

    View details for PubMedID 16084838

  • Anticipating loss and other temporal stressors predict traumatic stress symptoms among partners of metastatic/recurrent breast cancer patients PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Butler, L. D., Field, N. P., Busch, A. L., Seplaki, J. E., Hastings, T. A., Spiegel, D. 2005; 14 (6): 492-502

    Abstract

    This study examined pre- and post-loss levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (intrusion and avoidance) in partners of metastatic/recurrent breast cancer patients, and the relationship of these symptoms to past, current, and anticipatory stressors. The results indicate that 34% (17/50) of the partners experienced clinically significant symptom levels prior to the patients' deaths. Prior to loss, partners' symptoms were positively associated with their current level of perceived stress and anticipated impact of the loss; whereas following loss, partners' symptoms were predicted by higher pre-loss levels of symptoms, past family deaths, and anticipated impact of the loss. Limitations and treatment implications of the present research and directions for future research are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.865

    View details for Web of Science ID 000229977300006

    View details for PubMedID 15452896

  • Breast cancer and problems with medical interactions: Relationships with traumatic stress, emotional self-efficacy, and social support PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Han, W. T., Collie, K., Koopman, C., Azarow, J., Classen, C., Morrow, G. R., Michel, B., Brennan-O'Neill, E., Spiegel, D. 2005; 14 (4): 318-330

    Abstract

    This investigation examined relationships between breast cancer patients' psychosocial characteristics (impact of the illness, traumatic stress symptoms, emotional self-efficacy, and social support) and problems they perceived in their medical interactions and their satisfaction with their physicians. Participants were 352 women enrolled in a multicenter trial of the effects of group therapy for women with recently diagnosed primary breast cancer. The findings reported here are from a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data gathered prior to randomization. Problems interacting with physicians and nurses were associated with greater levels of cancer-related traumatic stress (p < 0.01), less emotional self-efficacy for cancer (p < 0.05), less satisfaction with informational support from family, friends, and spouse, and a tendency to perceive those sources of support as more aversive (p < 0.05). Women who were less satisfied with emotional support from their family, friends and spouse were less likely to feel satisfied with their physicians (p < 0.05). These patient characteristics identify women with primary breast cancer who are likely to experience difficulty in their interactions with nurses and physicians and to be less satisfied with their physicians.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.852

    View details for Web of Science ID 000228401200007

    View details for PubMedID 15386762

  • Updates on controversial design and analysis decisions for research on the diurnal slope of cortisol Ann Behav Med Giese-Davis J, Kraemer H C, Neri E, Spiegel D. 2005; 29 (Supplement): S112
  • Patient empowerment through supportive care. Oncologistics Fourth Quarter Rosenbaum E, Spiegel D. 2005: 41-43
  • Initiating a community-based supportive care program Community Oncology Rosenbaum E, Gautier H, Fobair P, Spiegel D. 2005; 2 (1)
  • Hypnosis reduces distress and duration of an invasive medical procedure for children PEDIATRICS Butler, L. D., Symons, B. K., Henderson, S. L., Shortliffe, L. D., Spiegel, D. 2005; 115 (1): E77-E85

    Abstract

    Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is a commonly performed radiologic procedure in children that can be both painful and frightening. Given the distress that some children experience during the VCUG and the need for children to be alert and cooperative during the procedure, finding a psychological intervention that helps children to manage anxiety, distress, and pain is clearly desirable. This study was designed to examine whether relaxation and analgesia facilitated with hypnosis could reduce distress and procedure time for children who undergo this procedure.Forty-four children who were scheduled for an upcoming VCUG were randomized to receive hypnosis (n = 21) or routine care (n = 23) while undergoing the procedure. The sample consisted of 29 (66%) girls and 15 (34%) boys with a mean age of 7.6 years (SD: 2.5; range: 4-15 years). Ethnic/racial backgrounds were 72.7% white, 18.2% Asian, 4.5% Latino, 2.3% black, and 2.3% Filipino. The mean number of previous VCUGs was 2.95 (SD: 2.51; mode: 2; range: 1-15). Potential participants were identified through computerized hospital records of upcoming VCUGs. Parents were contacted by telephone and invited to participate if their child was eligible. To be eligible for the study, the child must have undergone at least 1 previous VCUG, been at least 4 years of age at that time, and experienced distress during that procedure, and both the child and the participating parent had to be English speaking. Each eligible child and parent met with the research assistant (RA) before the day of the scheduled procedure for an initial assessment. Children were queried regarding the degree of crying, fear, and pain that they had experienced during their most recent VCUG. Parents completed a series of parallel questions. Immediately after this assessment, those who were randomized to the hypnosis condition were given a 1-hour training session in self-hypnotic visual imagery by a trained therapist. Parents and children were instructed to practice using the imaginative self-hypnosis procedure several times a day in preparation for the upcoming procedure. The therapist was also present during the procedure to conduct similar exercises with the child. The majority (83%) of those who were randomized to the routine care control group chose to participate in a hospital-provided recreation therapy program (offered as part of routine care). The program includes demonstration of the procedure with dolls, relaxation and breath work training, and assistance during the procedure. On the day of the VCUG, the RA met the family at the clinic before the procedure, and both the child and the parent rated the child's present level of fearfulness. During the procedure, the RA recorded observational ratings of the child's emotional tone and behavior and timed the overall procedure and its phases. Immediately after the VCUG, the child was asked how much crying, fear, and pain he or she had experienced during the procedure; the parent rated the child's experience on the same dimensions and also how traumatic the procedure had been (both generally and compared with their previous one), and the medical staff rated the degree of procedural difficulty. Outcomes included child reports of distress during the procedure, parent reports of how traumatic the present VCUG was compared with the previous one, observer ratings of distress during the procedure, medical staff reports of the difficulty of the procedure overall, and total procedural time.Results indicate significant benefits for the hypnosis group compared with the routine care group in the following 4 areas: (1) parents of children in the hypnosis group compared with those in the routine care group reported that the procedure was significantly less traumatic for their children compared with their previous VCUG procedure; (2) observational ratings of typical distress levels during the procedure were significantly lower for children in the hypnosis condition compared with those in the routine care condition; (3) medical staff reported a significant difference between groups in the overall difficulty of conducting the procedure, with less difficulty reported for the hypnosis group; and (4) total procedural time was significantly shorter-by almost 14 minutes-for the hypnosis group compared with the routine care group. Moderate to large effect sizes were obtained on each of these 4 outcomes.Hypnotic relaxation may provide a systematic method for improving the overall medical care of children with urinary tract abnormalities and may be beneficial for children who undergo other invasive medical procedures. Because the VCUG is an essential part of the evaluation of urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux in children, lower distress during the procedure may improve patient and family compliance with initial as well as follow-up evaluations. These findings augment the accumulating literature demonstrating the benefits of using hypnosis to reduce distress in the pediatric setting. The present findings are noteworthy in that this study was a controlled, randomized trial conducted in a naturalistic medical setting. In this context, we achieved a convergence of subjective and objective outcomes with moderate to large effect sizes, including those that may have an impact on patient care and procedure cost, that were consistently supportive of the beneficial effects of hypnosis-a noninvasive intervention with minimal risk. The findings, therefore, have immediate implications for pediatric care. Limitations of this study include the lack of participant and staff blindness to the child's condition assignment, which could have introduced bias into reports. However, the objective procedural time differences between groups were consistent with the other, more subjective outcome findings. The sample was also small and primarily white in ethnic/racial makeup, which may have restricted our ability to detect some differences and may limit the generalizability of findings to more representative samples. In addition, the sample comprised children who had already undergone at least 1 VCUG during which they had had difficulty. Consequently, additional research is needed to determine whether hypnosis would be helpful to those who are undergoing their first VCUG. Additional limitations, clinical observations, and directions for future research are also discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1542/peds.2004-0818

    View details for Web of Science ID 000226083700012

    View details for PubMedID 15629969

  • Patient satisfaction with breast cancer care: Relationships with traumatic stress, emotional self-efficacy and social support. Psycho-Oncolog Han W T, Collie K, Koopman C, Azarow J, Classen C, Morrow G R, Michel B, Brennan-O'Neil E, Spiegel D. 2005; 14: 318-333
  • Treatment of acute traumatic stress reactions. Journal of trauma & dissociation Spiegel, D. 2005; 6 (2): 101-108

    Abstract

    This paper calls for a broadening of the context within which we study responses to traumatic stress, the course of recovery, components of effective interventions, and assessments of outcome. Acute stress reactions to trauma as a spectrum include anxiety, dissociative, and depressive symptoms. The course of these symptoms may vary, with fluctuations between intrusion (positive) and avoidance/numbing/dissociative (negative) symptoms that may complicate assessment, treatment-seeking, and course of recovery. Components of effective treatments including affect management, cognitive restructuring, and social integration are discussed. Finally, a broader view of outcome assessment in such research is called for, including not just reduction in psychopathological symptoms but attention to coping styles, affect management, resilience, social reorganization, and sensitivity to subsequent trauma.

    View details for PubMedID 16150672

  • A randomized trial of the efficacy of group therapy in changing viral load and CD4 counts in individuals living with HIV infection INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN MEDICINE Belanoff, J. K., Sund, B., Koopman, C., Blasey, C., Flamm, J., Schatzberg, A. F., Spiegel, D. 2005; 35 (4): 349-362

    Abstract

    This randomized pilot study evaluates whether seropositive patients who are randomly assigned to receive a supportive-expressive group therapy plus education intervention show greater improvements in increased immune function and decreased viral load compared to those randomly assigned to an education-only intervention.Fifty-nine individuals who had been HIV-seropositive for at least 6 months prior to inclusion in the study and had been receiving standard pharmacologic treatment were entered in a prospective randomized trial of the effects of weekly supportive-expressive group therapy on changes in immune status. Participants were matched for AIDS status and sex and randomized to receive weekly sessions of group psychotherapy plus educational materials on HIV/AIDS, or to receive the educational materials alone. Participants were assessed before treatment and then 12 weeks later.Individuals who were randomized to group therapy showed a statistically significant increase in CD4 count and decrease in HIV viral load. Among individuals randomized to the education only condition, no significant change occurred in CD4 count or viral load.These results provide preliminary data suggesting that HIV-seropositive individuals who receive supportive-expressive group psychotherapy may experience concomitant improvements in CD4 cell count and viral load. Further research with a larger sample should examine the possible underlying mechanisms of such benefits.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236681800004

    View details for PubMedID 16673835

  • Sleep disturbances among HIV-positive adults - The role of pain, stress, and social support JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH Vosvick, M., Gore-Felton, C., Ashton, E., Koopman, C., Fluery, T., Israelski, D., Spiegel, D. 2004; 57 (5): 459-463

    Abstract

    Investigate the relationships between pain, stress, social support, and sleep disturbance among a diverse sample of HIV-positive adults.Participants (N = 146) completed self-report measures on pain, stress, social support, and sleep disturbance. CD4 T-cell count was obtained from medical records.Greater pain and stress were associated with greater sleep disturbance. Greater assistance from friends was associated with greater sleep disturbance, whereas greater understanding from friends regarding participants' HIV-related stress was associated with less sleep disturbance.As expected, pain was significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Additionally, psychosocial variables were strongly associated with sleep. The type of support from friends differentiated whether the support was positively or negatively associated with sleep problems. Social support, depending on the type, may not always be helpful for adults living with HIV/AIDS. Future studies need to examine factors that may mediate the relationship between psychosocial constructs and healthy sleep.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.03.003

    View details for Web of Science ID 000225987500008

    View details for PubMedID 15581649

  • The interaction of social network size and stressful life events predict delayed-type hypersensitivity among women with metastatic breast cancer INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY Turner-Cobb, J. M., Koopman, C., Rabinowitz, J. D., Terr, A. I., Sephton, S. E., Spiegel, D. 2004; 54 (3): 241-249

    Abstract

    This study examined relationships between social support, stressful life events and antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity. Participants were 72 women with documented metastatic breast carcinoma, who completed self-report measures of social support and life stress. Immune response was assessed using the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test. Number of positive antigens was significantly related to the interaction of social network size and stressful life events (p<0.05). Number of positive antigens was greater for women who had experienced a high frequency of stressful life events but who reported a larger network of support. However, social network size was inversely related to DTH response among women who had experienced fewer stressful life events. Average induration size was not significantly related to the quality of social support, life stress per se, or their interactions. The relationship between social network size and immune response in women with metastatic breast cancer depends on prior stressful life experience.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijphyscho.2004.05.010

    View details for Web of Science ID 000223879200004

    View details for PubMedID 15331215

  • Repression and high anxiety are associated with aberrant diurnal cortisol rhythms in women with metastatic breast cancer 40th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Psychophysiological-Research Giese-Davis, J., Sephton, S. E., Abercrombie, H. C., Duran, R. E., Spiegel, D. AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. 2004: 645–50

    Abstract

    Previous research has provided evidence of autonomic, endocrine, and immunological dysregulation in repressers and a possible association with cancer incidence and progression. Recently published data from the authors' laboratory demonstrated that flatter diurnal cortisol slopes were a risk factor for early mortality in women with metastatic breast cancer. In the current analysis of this same sample (N=91), the authors tested differences at baseline between groups scored using the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory on diurnal cortisol slope and mean cortisol levels. When compared with self-assured and nonextreme groups, the represser and high-anxious groups had a significantly flatter diurnal slope. Diurnal slope was similar for repressers and high-anxious groups. Groups did not differ on mean cortisol levels, nor did they differ on intercept (morning) values.

    View details for DOI 10.1037/0278-6133.23.6.645

    View details for Web of Science ID 000224913800011

    View details for PubMedID 15546233

  • Placebos in practice BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Spiegel, D. 2004; 329 (7472): 927-?

    View details for Web of Science ID 000224773200001

    View details for PubMedID 15499085

  • Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY Abercrombie, H. C., Giese-Davis, J., Sephton, S., Epel, E. S., Turner-Cobb, J. M., Spiegel, D. 2004; 29 (8): 1082-1092

    Abstract

    Allostatic load, the physiological accumulation of the effects of chronic stressors, has been associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. Flattened diurnal cortisol rhythmicity is one of the prototypes of allostatic load, and has been shown to predict shorter survival among women with metastatic breast cancer. The current study compared diurnal cortisol slope in 17 breast cancer patients and 31 controls, and tested associations with variables previously found to be related to cortisol regulation, i.e, abdominal adiposity, perceived stress, social support, and explicit memory. Women with metastatic breast cancer had significantly flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms than did healthy controls. Patients with greater disease severity showed higher mean cortisol levels, smaller waist circumference, and a tendency toward flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms. There were no relations between cortisol slope and psychological or cognitive functioning among patients. In contrast, controls with flatter rhythms showed the expected allostatic load profile of larger waist circumference, poorer performance on explicit memory tasks, lower perceived social support, and a tendency toward higher perceived stress. These findings suggest that the cortisol diurnal slope may have important but different correlates in healthy women versus those with breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.11.003

    View details for Web of Science ID 000222702100014

    View details for PubMedID 15219660

  • Cytotoxic T lymphocyte count and survival time in women with metastatic breast cancer. breast journal Blake-Mortimer, J. S., Sephton, S. E., Carlson, R. W., Stites, D., Spiegel, D. 2004; 10 (3): 195-199

    Abstract

    While prognostic factors in early stage breast cancer are well documented, few studies have examined predictors of the rate of metastatic progression. The purpose of this study was to examine cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte (CTL) count as a marker of disease status in women with metastatic breast cancer. This study examined CTL subset counts as predictors of subsequent survival in 113 women with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. Samples were measured by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies for cell surface antigens for percentages and absolute numbers of CTLs (CD3/CD8), total lymphocytes, T cells (CD3), helper T cells (CD3/CD4), and total white blood cell (TWC) count. Higher CTL counts emerged as a significant predictor of longer survival up to 7 years later (Wald = 7.40, p = 0.007; Cox regression model). The relationship of higher CTL count with enhanced survival was independent of the effects of medical treatment. CTLs were significantly associated with TWC count (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). However, TWC count was not associated with subsequent survival time. Higher CTL count was associated with Karnofsky performance status (r = 0.27, p = 0.004). However, after adjustment for the Karnofsky score, the CTL count/survival relationship remained significant (Wald = 4.33, p = 0.038). In conclusion, there is a robust relationship between CTL count and survival that is independent of the effects of medical treatments, TWC count, and Karnofsky performance status. Moreover, a reduced CTL count may be a mediator or marker of more rapid disease progression in metastatic breast cancer.

    View details for PubMedID 15125744

  • Cancer supportive care, improving the quality of life for cancer patients. A program evaluation report SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER Rosenbaum, E., Gautier, H., Fobair, P., Neri, E., Festa, B., Hawn, M., Andrews, A., Hirshberger, N., Selim, S., Spiegel, D. 2004; 12 (5): 293-301

    Abstract

    As medical care for cancer has become more specialized in diagnosis, treatment has become more technical and fragmented. In order to help cancer patients and their families, we developed a coordinated program called the Stanford Cancer Supportive Care Program (SCSCP) at the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford Hospital and Clinics. The Stanford Cancer Supportive Care Program was initiated in 1999 to provide support for cancer patients, addressing the need for improved physical and emotional well-being and quality of life. This paper is a program evaluation report.The number of patient visits grew from 421 in 1999 to 6319 in 2002. This paper describes the utilization of the SCSCP program as assessed by 398 patient visit evaluations during a 9-week period, January 2002 to March 2002. During this time we collected attendance records with demographic data and anonymous questionnaires evaluating each program. Patients were asked to evaluate how the program helped them regarding increase of energy, reduction in stress, restful sleep, pain reduction, sense of hopefulness, and empowerment.Over 90% of the patients using the SCSCP felt there was benefit to the program. Programs were chosen based on a needs assessment by oncologists, nurse managers, social workers, and patients. Massage, yoga, and qigong classes had the highest number of participants. Qualitative data showed benefit for each program offered.This evaluation of a free cancer supportive care program initiated in a hospital outpatient setting provides initial evidence of patient satisfaction and improvement in quality of life.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-004-0599-0

    View details for Web of Science ID 000220967200002

    View details for PubMedID 14991388

  • False and recovered memories in the laboratory and clinic: A review of experimental and clinical evidence CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY-SCIENCE AND PRACTICE Gleaves, D. H., Smith, S. M., Butler, L. D., Spiegel, D. 2004; 11 (1): 3-28
  • The interaction of social network size and stressful life events predict delayed-type hypersensitivity among women with metastatic breast cancer. International Journal of Psychophysiology Turner-Cobb J M, Koopman C, Rabinowitz J D, Terr A I, Sephton S E, Spiegel D. 2004; 54 (3): 241-19
  • Placebos in Practice, Editorial British Medical Journal Spiegel, D. 2004; 329: 927-928
  • Hypnosis: Brief interventions offer key to managing pain and anxiety Current Psychiatry Spiegel D. 2004; 3 (4): 49-52
  • Cancer supportive care, improving the quality of life for cancer patients. A program evaluation report. Support Care Cancer Rosenbaum E, Gautier H, Fobair P, neri E, Festa B, Hawn M, Andrews A, Hirschberger N, Selim S, Spiegel D. 2004; 12 (5): 293-301
  • Commentary on "Meta-analysis of the effects of psychosocial interventions on survival time and mortality in cancer patients." by Geir Smedslund and Gerd Inger Ringdal. Journal of Psychosomatic Research Spiegel, D. 2004; 57: 133-135
  • Editorial; Placebos in practice BMJ Spiegel D. 2004; 329: 927-928
  • Mood disturbance in community cancer support groups - The role of emotional suppression and fighting spirit JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH Cordova, M. J., Giese-Davis, J., Golant, M., Kronnenwetter, C., Chang, V., McFarlin, S., Spiegel, D. 2003; 55 (5): 461-467

    Abstract

    In this cross-sectional study, we tested whether the coping styles of emotional suppression and fighting spirit were associated with mood disturbance in cancer patients participating in professionally led community-based support groups even when demographic, medical, and group support variables were taken into account.A heterogeneous sample of 121 cancer patients (71% female, 29% male) completed the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC), a measure of perceived group support, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS).Consistent with hypotheses, lower emotional suppression and greater adoption of a fighting spirit, in addition to older age and higher income, were associated with lower mood disturbance. Gender, time since diagnosis, presence of metastatic disease, time in the support group, perceived group support, cognitive avoidance, and fatalism were unrelated to mood disturbance.Expression of negative affect and an attitude of realistic optimism may enhance adjustment and reduce distress for cancer patients in support groups.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00510-5

    View details for Web of Science ID 000186350200009

    View details for PubMedID 14581101

  • Circadian disruption in cancer: a neuroendocrine-immune pathway from stress to disease? BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY Sephton, S., Spiegel, D. 2003; 17 (5): 321-328

    Abstract

    Psychosocial factors may modulate the course of cancer, but few data have been gathered on the biological mechanisms by which these effects may be mediated. We briefly review evidence of psychosocial effects on cancer progression and discuss one potential pathway that may underlie these effects: the disruption of neuroendocrine and immune circadian rhythms. Circadian system alterations occur in tumor tissue, tumor-bearing animals, and cancer patients with greater disruption seen in more advanced cases. Rhythm alterations include diminished amplitude, phase shifts, period changes, and erratic peaks and troughs in endocrine, metabolic, immunological, and rest- activity cycles. Psychosocial factors can engender dysregulation of circadian function. Cancer-related circadian dysregulation may also be driven by genetic factors, environmental and behavioral influences, and effects of the tumor on host clock regulation. There are several mechanisms by which circadian disruption might hasten tumor growth: via direct effects of altered hormone levels on tumor cells, effects on tumor versus host metabolism, neuroimmune effects resulting in cancer-relevant immunosuppression, or reduced efficacy and tolerability of cancer treatments for which the timing of administration is based upon the assumption of normal circadian rhythms. Emerging data in the human and animal literature suggest that circadian regulation may be an important prerequisite for the maintenance of host defenses against cancer. Thus, stress-related circadian disruption may have negative implications for cancer prognosis. Psychosocial effects on cancer progression may be measured, and possibly mediated, by disruption of circadian function.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0889-1591(03)00078-3

    View details for Web of Science ID 000185220300002

    View details for PubMedID 12946654

  • Adverse short-term effects of attention-control treatment on hypnotizability: A challenge in designing controlled hypnosis trials INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Koch, T., Lang, E. V., Hatsiopoulou, O., Anderson, B., Berbaum, K., Spiegel, D. 2003; 51 (4): 357-368

    Abstract

    Characteristics of patients in test and attention-control groups should be comparable and be unaffected by the intervention to be tested in clinical trials. The authors assessed whether this is the case for measures of hypnotizability in the postoperative period. One hundred and forty-six patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral vascular or renal interventions were randomized into 2 groups. One group received structured empathic attention during their procedures; the other was guided to self-hypnotic relaxation. Hypnotizability was assessed postoperatively by the Hypnotic Induction Profile. The eye-roll scores, which measure the biological hypnotic potential, were not significantly different, but the average induction scores, which measure the expression of the hypnotic performance, were significantly lower in the attention group than the hypnosis group (4.9 vs. 5.9). The authors conclude that patients who were aided by an external focus intraoperatively are postoperatively less able or willing to follow suggestions measuring hypnotizability than patients who had guidance to self-hypnotic relaxation.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000185728000003

    View details for PubMedID 14594184

  • Correlates of sexually transmitted disease infection among adults living with HIV INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STD & AIDS Gore-Felton, C., Vosvick, M., Bendel, T., Koopman, C., Das, B., Israelski, D., Herrera, M., Litzenberg, K., Spiegel, D. 2003; 14 (8): 539-546

    Abstract

    This study examined the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as the relationships between STDs and coping strategies used to deal with the stress of living with HIV among adults. The sample comprised 179 men and women, 58% were Caucasian, 54% were male, more than half (61%) were diagnosed with AIDS, 43% were heterosexual, and 39% reported an STD post-HIV diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis indicated that individuals reporting longer time elapsed since HIV diagnosis and greater use of emotion-focused coping were more likely to report STDs. There was an interaction effect between time and coping such that the less time that elapsed since HIV diagnosis and the more an individual used emotion-focused coping, the more likely they were to report an STD. Tailoring interventions to address specific stressors associated with length of time living with HIV, may be a particularly effective prevention strategy.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000184475400011

    View details for PubMedID 12935384

  • Change in emotion regulation mediates change in trauma symptoms and mood disturbance in women with metastatic breast cancer following supportive-expressive group therapy Giese-Davis, J., Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Cordova, M., Classen, C., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2003: S192–S192
  • Social support, substance use, and denial in relationship to Antiretroviral treatment adherence among HIV-infected persons AIDS PATIENT CARE AND STDS Power, R., Koopman, C., Volk, J., Israelski, D. M., Stone, L., Chesney, M. A., Spiegel, D. 2003; 17 (5): 245-252

    Abstract

    This study examined the relationship of adherence to antiretroviral treatment with three types of social support (partner, friends, and family) and use of two coping strategies (denial and substance use). Participants were 73 men and women with HIV infection drawn from a larger sample of 186 clinical trial patients. Based on inclusion criteria, parent trial participants taking antiretroviral therapies, and those with complete data on self-reported measures of adherence were considered eligible for the present study. Overall, 26% of participants were found to be nonadherent, which was defined as one or more missed doses of treatment in the prior 4-day period. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine associations of sociodemographic and psychosocial variables with adherence to antiretroviral regimen. Results indicated that heterosexual participants (p < 0.01) and participants of Latino ethnicity (p < 0.05) were significantly more likely to report missed medications. Perceived satisfaction with support from a partner was associated with taking antiretroviral therapy as prescribed, whereas satisfaction with support from friends and from family was not significantly related to adherence. Examination of coping strategies showed that participants reporting drug and alcohol use (p <.05) to cope with HIV-related stress were more likely to be nonadherent. These findings call for adherence interventions designed to address barriers and strengths, such as community norms or traditional cultural values, specific to certain populations. Furthermore, couple-based approaches enlisting partner support may help persons living with HIV to adhere to antiretroviral regimens.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000182801700005

    View details for PubMedID 12816618

  • Psychological distress and pain significantly increase before death in metastatic breast cancer patients PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Cordova, M. J., Garlan, R. W., DiMiceli, S., Spiegel, D. 2003; 65 (3): 416-426

    Abstract

    This study was designed to examine the course of psychological distress and pain from study entry to death in 59 women with metastatic breast cancer participating in a randomized trial of the effects of group psychotherapy on psychosocial outcomes and survival. It was hypothesized that psychological distress would increase significantly before death independent of changes in pain.Data were collected as part of a larger study (N = 125). Analyses were based on data from a subset of women who had died and for whom we had data from at least three assessments. Mean levels of mood, trauma symptoms, depression symptoms, well-being, and pain over three time points were examined: at baseline (T1), the second-to-last assessment before death (T2), and the last assessment before death (T3).Results indicate that while psychological distress remained relatively constant or declined from T1 to T2, means on all measures significantly changed in the hypothesized direction from T2 to T3. Neither self-reported pain, nor the passage of time, appeared to account for these changes. Additionally, participation in group psychotherapy did not have a significant impact on this change in distress proximal to death.Results suggest that specialized end-stage clinical interventions are particularly needed for cancer patients as they approach death. Moreover, intervention studies for patients with deteriorating illnesses may need to take this "spike" in psychological distress and pain proximal to death into account to avoid Type II errors in evaluations of psychological outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/01.PSY.0000041472.77692.C6

    View details for Web of Science ID 000183160300014

    View details for PubMedID 12764215

  • Developing a free supportive care program for cancer patients within an integrative medicine clinic SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER Rosenbaum, E., Gautier, H., Fobair, P., Andrews, A., Hawn, M., Kurshner, R., Festa, B., Kramer, P., Manuel, F., Hirschberger, N., Selim, S., Spiegel, D. 2003; 11 (5): 263-269

    Abstract

    The cancer patient's journey not only includes a threat to one's life, but the need to face many medical and emotional challenges. The free Cancer Supportive Care Program (CSCP) within the Center for Integrative Medicine Clinic at Stanford University Hospital and Clinics has been identified as a successful model for helping patients to deal with these challenges. Its programs include informational lectures, support groups, chair massages, exercise, alternative modality classes, a Life Tapes Project, an informational website, and a bimonthly newsletter available free to anybody touched by cancer. Now in its third year, this program benefits from a blending of leadership resources, availability of space, institutional agreement on patient need and funds from private and corporate donations. By presenting the basic premises of the Cancer Supportive Care program and outlining specifics about the program, institutions in various national and international demographic regions may implement similar programs according to their resources and the needs of patients. It is our hope that the CSCP can become a model for the development of similar programs in various parts of the United States and abroad.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-003-0439-7

    View details for Web of Science ID 000183194400001

    View details for PubMedID 12690540

  • Alternative therapies: a common practice among men and women living with HIV. journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC Gore-Felton, C., Vosvick, M., Power, R., Koopman, C., Ashton, E., Bachmann, M. H., Israelski, D., Spiegel, D. 2003; 14 (3): 17-27

    Abstract

    This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with alternative therapy use in an ethnically diverse, gender-balanced sample of persons living with HIV/AIDS. More than two thirds (67%) of the participants who were taking HIV-related medications were also taking an alternative supplement. Half of the sample (50%) reported that they took one or more multivitamins, 17% reported using mineral supplements, 12% reported using Chinese herbs, and 12% reported using botanicals. Substantial proportions of the sample also reported using acupuncture (31%), massage (23%), and meditation (28%) to specifically treat HIV-related symptoms. Women were four times more likely to use alternative therapies than men. Also, Caucasians were nearly four times more likely to use alternative treatments compared to other ethnic groups. The results of this study indicate a strong need to assess individual patients' use of alternative treatment approaches as well as to further investigate their efficacy among HIV-positive patients.

    View details for PubMedID 12800809

  • Negative and positive visual hypnotic hallucinations: Attending inside and out INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 2003; 51 (2): 130-146

    Abstract

    Hypnotic perceptual alteration affects brain function. Those hypnotic instructions that reduce perception by creating an illusory obstruction to it reduce brain response to perception in the cognate sensory cortex, as measured by event-related potential (ERP) amplitude and regional blood flow (PET). Those hypnotic instructions that affect the subject's reaction to perception activate the anterior attentional system, especially the anterior cingulate cortex in PET studies. Hypnosis involves activation without arousal and may be particularly mediated via dopaminergic pathways. Hypnotic alteration of perception is accompanied by measurable changes in both perceptual and attentional function of those specific regions of the brain that process these activities, modulated by the nature of the specific hypnotic instruction. Positive obstructive hallucinations seem to allow for a hypnotic focus inward, activating the functioning of attentional neural systems and reducing perceptual ones.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000185533500004

    View details for PubMedID 12908748

  • Perceptions of family relationships associated with husbands ambivalence and dependency in anticipating losing their wives to metastatic/recurrent breast cancer JOURNAL OF LOSS & TRAUMA Blake-Mortimer, J., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D., Field, N., Horowitz, M. 2003; 8 (2): 139-147
  • Living in the face of death: interviews with 12 terminally ill women on home hospice care. Palliative & supportive care Grumann, M. M., Spiegel, D. 2003; 1 (1): 23-32

    Abstract

    To determine how home hospice patients deal with their impending death and whether there is a need for greater involvement of mental health professionals in the care of patients dying at home.In a pilot study, 12 female home hospice patients with advanced cancer and a median survival time of 42 days were assessed using structured interviews and brief questionnaires. Topics of inquiry included facing death, fear of death, pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Three key themes were extracted from the information reported by the women: (1) confronting the issue of death, (2) fear of dying and death and its correlates, and (3) spirituality/religious faith and its role in mitigating fear of death.First, all subjects reported thinking about their approaching death. For half of them, this thought was bothersome and these women were frequently troubled by unresolved issues and higher anxiety, pain, and fatigue. The majority of the subjects expressed a desire to actively discuss their impending death. Second, more than half of the patients reported being afraid of death and high death anxiety was associated with fear of dying in pain, high peak or usual pain, unresolved issues, and difficulty in parting with family in death. Third, most subjects experienced their religious faith as an important source of comfort and strength.A substantial subgroup of home hospice patients expressed problems dealing with their approaching death. These problems are amenable to psychological treatment, such as fear of death, unresolved issues, parting with family, and pain. The findings, thus, highlight the need for close collaboration of mental health professionals with home hospice institutions.

    View details for PubMedID 16594285

  • Electronic support groups for breast carcinoma - A clinical trial of effectiveness 22nd Annual Meeting of the Society-of-Behavioral-Medicine Lieberman, M. A., Golant, M., Giese-Davis, J., Winzlenberg, A., Benjamin, H., Humphreys, K., Kronenwetter, C., Russo, S., Spiegel, D. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2003: 920–25

    Abstract

    A recent Pew Charitable Trust study found that 52,000,000 individuals used the Internet to obtain health/medical information. Clinical trials of face-to-face breast carcinoma support groups show evidence of 1) improvement in quality of life, 2) reduction of psychologic symptoms, 3) improvement in coping responses, and 4) a reduction in pain. To the authors' knowledge, a few studies published to date have investigated Internet-delivered electronic support groups (ESGs) for cancer. The most sophisticated is the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) program, which provides integrated information, referral, and a newsgroup-based social support program. However, to the authors' knowledge, no studies published to date have examined the impact of a breast carcinoma ESG in a clinical trial.Sixty-seven women completed the initial baseline questionnaires, 32 of whom accepted the authors' invitation and began the groups. With regard to geographic location, 49% lived in rural/small towns, 41% lived in medium-sized cities, and 10% lived in large cities. Diagnostic stages of disease were: Stage I, 22%; Stage II, 56%; Stage III, 12%; and other forms, 10%. There were 4 intervention groups, of which 8 participants led by trained Wellness Community (TWC) (a national agency) leaders met for 1.5 hours once a week for 16 weeks. Student t tests for paired outcome data were computed using baseline and postgroup scores.The results of the current study indicated that breast carcinoma patients significantly reduced depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression [CES-D] scale) and Reactions to Pain. They also demonstrated a trend toward increases on The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) in two subscales: New Possibilities and Spirituality. Counterintuitively, breast carcinoma patients appeared to demonstrate an increase in emotional suppression. Postinterview results indicated that approximately 67% of patients found the group to be beneficial. Those who withdrew from the groups (20%) demonstrated low scores in their ability to contain anxiety and appeared to be more likely to suppress their thoughts and feelings regarding their illness.The findings of the current study are encouraging, particularly because it was conducted through TWC, a national agency willing to make this type of intervention readily available at no cost. A limitation of the current study was the lack of randomization and a control group comparison. Although the authors were not able to demonstrate effectiveness without the addition of a control condition, the analysis of pregroup and postgroup outcomes suggests that a randomized trial is worthwhile. Women with a devastating disease will join and commit themselves to an online support group. In addition, because a large percentage of these women were from rural locations, this type of intervention may hold promise for those who have limited access to support groups.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cncr.11145

    View details for Web of Science ID 000180795500004

    View details for PubMedID 12569591

  • Social support substance use and denial in relationship to antiretroviral treatment adherenece among HIV-infected persons Aids Patient Care and STDs Power R, Koopman C, Volk J, israelski D. M, Stone L, Chesney M. A, Spiegel D. 2003; 17 (5)
  • Novel parameters of autonomic and cardiovascular function obtained with a mobile mental stress testing laboratory in a general clinical research center 43rd Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Psychophysiological-Research Wilhelm, F. H., Giese-Davis, J., Taylor, C. B., Spiegel, D. BLACKWELL PUBLISHING. 2003: S91–S91
  • Perceptions of family relationships associated with husbands' ambivalence and dependency in anticipating losing their wives to metastic/recurrent breast cancer Journal of Loss and Trauma Blake-Mortimer J, Koopman C, Spiegel D, Field N, & Horowitx M. 2003; 8: 139-147
  • Hypnosis and traumatic dissociation: Therapeutic opportunities Journal of Trauma and Dissociation Spiegel D 2003; 4 (3): 73-90
  • Relationship of functional quality of life to strategies for coping with the stress of living with HIV/AIDS PSYCHOSOMATICS Vosvick, M., Koopman, C., Gore-Felton, C., Thoresen, C., Krumboltz, J., Spiegel, D. 2003; 44 (1): 51-58

    Abstract

    The authors examined factors associated with four dimensions of functional quality of life (physical functioning, energy/fatigue, social functioning, and role functioning) in 142 men and women living with HIV/AIDS. Participants completed the Brief COPE inventory and the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey, with HIV-relevant items added. Greater use of maladaptive coping strategies was associated with lower levels of energy and social functioning. Pain severe enough to interfere with daily living tasks was associated with a lower level of functional quality of life on all four quality of life dimensions. Interventions aimed at developing adaptive coping strategies and improving pain management may improve functional aspects of quality of life in persons living with HIV/AIDS.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000180171100007

    View details for PubMedID 12515838

  • Recent stressful life events, sexual revictimization, and their relationship with traumatic stress symptoms among women sexually abused in childhood JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE Classen, C., Nevo, R., Koopman, C., Nevill-Manning, K., Gore-Felton, C., Rose, D. S., Spiegel, D. 2002; 17 (12): 1274-1290
  • The influence of social support, coping with mood on sexual risk behavior among HIV-positive men and women JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Gore-Felton, C., Koopman, C., Turner-Cobb, J. M., Duran, R., Israelski, D., Spiegel, D. 2002; 7 (6): 713-722

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between social support, coping, mood and sexual risk behavior. Participants were 122 HIV-positive adults (60 women and 62 men). All participants were assessed on sexual risk behavior, perceived partner social support, coping with HIV/AIDS and mood. The results showed that sexual risk behavior was associated with male gender, education, perceived support of their partners and the use of emotion-focused coping style to deal with living with HIV and AIDS. Intervening with partners and developing effective coping strategies may decrease risk among HIV-positive men and women. Indeed, effective HIV prevention interventions must consider the social, psychological and cultural context in which sexual risk behavior occurs and develop strategies that intervene on these psychosocial factors.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000179174100007

    View details for PubMedID 22113412

  • Depressive symptomatology in relation to emotional control and chronic pain in persons who are HIV positive REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY Lagana, L., Chen, X. H., Koopman, C., Classen, C., Kimerling, R., Spiegel, D. 2002; 47 (4): 402-414
  • Sleep disturbances in women with metastatic breast cancer. breast journal Koopman, C., Nouriani, B., Erickson, V., Anupindi, R., Butler, L. D., Bachmann, M. H., Sephton, S. E., Spiegel, D. 2002; 8 (6): 362-370

    Abstract

    We examined sleeping problems in women with metastatic breast cancer in relation to depression, social support, and salivary cortisol. Ninety-seven women with metastatic breast cancer were drawn from a larger study on the effects of group therapy on quality of life and survival. This study is based on the baseline assessments conducted prior to randomization into treatment conditions. Sleep, depression symptoms, and social support were assessed by self-reporting. Cortisol was assessed from saliva samples taken over a 3-day period. Medical status and demographic characteristics were also examined in relation to each sleep variable in multiple regression analysis. Most women (63%) reported one or more types of sleep disturbance and 37% reported using sleeping pills in the previous 30 days. Problems with falling to sleep were significantly related to greater pain and depressive symptoms. Problems of waking during the night were significantly associated with greater depression and less education. Problems in waking/getting up were significantly associated with greater depressive symptoms and less social support. Sleepiness during the day was not significantly related to the variables in the regression model. Fewer hours of sleep were significantly associated with metastases to the bone, higher depressive symptoms, and more social support. Women who reported sleeping 9 or more hours per night, compared to those who reported a moderate amount of sleep (6.5-8.5 hours), had significantly lower 9 p.m. cortisol levels. Use of sleeping pills was more frequent among women reporting greater pain and depressive symptoms. These results suggest that women with metastatic breast cancer who are at higher risk for having sleeping problems are those who are less educated, in pain, depressed, have bony metastases, or lack social support.

    View details for PubMedID 12390359

  • Mesmer minus magic: Hypnosis and modem medicine INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 2002; 50 (4): 397-406

    Abstract

    The implications and effects of the French commission that passed judgment on Mesmer's work is examined in light of the pioneering role of hypnosis as the first Western conception of a psychotherapy, the ancient philosophical debate between idealism and empiricism, and the conflict in modern medicine between biotechnological emphasis on cure and the need for care as many previously terminal illnesses are converted to chronic diseases. The panel's report is interpreted as negative about the literal theory of animal magnetism but actually supportive of the potential therapeutic power of suggestion and "positive thinking." This aspect of hypnosis is described as a forerunner of modern cognitive therapies of depression and other illnesses. The panel exerted a constructive effect in applying scientific method and rigorous evaluation to hypnotic treatment, an application of Enlightenment philosophy that presaged the Flexner era in modern medicine. Both hypnosis and medicine ultimately benefited.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/002071402237723

    View details for Web of Science ID 000178121100009

    View details for PubMedID 12362955

  • Acute stress reactions following the assassination of Mexican presidential candidate Colosio 13th Annual Meeting of the International-Society-for-Traumatic-Stress-Studies Maldonado, J. R., Page, K., Koopman, C., Butler, L. D., Stein, H., Spiegel, D. JOHN WILEY & SONS INC. 2002: 401–5

    Abstract

    Considerable evidence suggests that exposure to traumatic events increases the risk of developing anxiety-spectrum disorders in response to later traumatization. We conducted a survey in Guadalajara, Mexico to assess factors associated with acute stress reactions to the assassination of a political figure. Participants included 86 adults who completed the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ) and measures of the perceived impact of the assassination, exhibited emotional behavior following the assassination, and had exposure to a specific prior disaster (a gas pipeline explosion). The results suggest that acute stress reactions can occur in response to an assassination, and that those most susceptible are those most emotionally invested, those who engage in emotional behavioral responses, and those whose lives have been affected by a previous potentially traumatic event.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000177968900008

    View details for PubMedID 12392228

  • Comorbidity of depression with other medical diseases in the elderly BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY Krishnan, K. R., DeLong, M., Kraemer, H., Carney, R., Spiegel, D., Gordon, C., McDonald, W., Dew, M. A., Alexopoulos, G., Buckwalter, K., Cohen, P. D., Evans, D., Kaufmann, P. G., Olin, J., Otey, E., Wainscott, C. 2002; 52 (6): 559-588

    Abstract

    A major factor in the context of evaluating depression in the elderly is the role of medical problems. With aging there is a rapid increase in the prevalence of a number of medical disorders, including cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and arthritis. In this article, we hope to bring clarity to the definition of comorbidity and then discuss a number of medical disorders as they relate to depression. We evaluate medical comorbidity as a risk factor for depression as well as the converse, that is, depression as a risk factor for medical illness. Most of the disorders that we focus on occur in the elderly, with the exception of HIV infection. This review focuses exclusively on unipolar disorder. The review summarizes the current state of the art and also makes recommendations for future directions.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000178297000007

    View details for PubMedID 12361669

  • Psychosocial intervention for lesbians with primary breast cancer PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Fobair, P., Koopman, C., DiMiceli, S., O'Hanlan, K., Butler, L. D., Classen, C., Drooker, N., Davids, H. R., Loulan, J., Wallsten, D., Spiegel, D. 2002; 11 (5): 427-438

    Abstract

    This study examined the effects of a Supportive-Expressive group therapy intervention offered to lesbians with early stage breast cancer. Twenty lesbians diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 12-months were recruited and assessed at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the group intervention. During the 12-week intervention, group members focused on the problems of a new diagnosis, coping with the illness and treatment, mood changes, coping responses and self-efficacy, improving relationships with family, friends and physicians, the impact of the illness on life, pain and sleep, and changes in body image and sexuality. A within-subject slopes analysis was conducted on data collected for each woman over the first year. As predicted, women reported reduced emotional distress, intrusiveness, and avoidance, and improved coping. There were significant changes in their social support, but in the unexpected direction. Instrumental support and informational support declined. However, conflict in family relations also declined, while trends were found towards more cohesiveness and expressiveness. Participants reported less pain and better sleep. There were no changes in body image, sexuality, or attitudes toward health-care providers. These results suggest that Supportive/Expressive group intervention appears to be helpful for lesbians with breast cancer.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.624

    View details for Web of Science ID 000178355000007

    View details for PubMedID 12228876

  • Change in emotion-regulation strategy for women with metastatic breast cancer following supportive-expressive group therapy 5th World Congress in Psycho-Oncology Giese-Davis, J., Koopman, C., Butler, L. D., Classen, C., Cordova, M., Fobair, P., Benson, J., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. 2002: 916–25

    Abstract

    Four relatively independent emotion-regulation constructs (suppression of negative affect, restraint, repression, and emotional self-efficacy) were tested as outcomes in a randomized trial of supportive-expressive group therapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. Results indicate that report of suppression of negative affect decreased and restraint of aggressive, inconsiderate, impulsive, and irresponsible behavior increased in the treatment group as compared with controls over 1 year in the group. Groups did not differ over time on repression or emotional self-efficacy. This study provides evidence that emotion-focused therapy can help women with advanced breast cancer to become more expressive without becoming more hostile. Even though these aspects of emotion-regulation appear trait-like within the control group, significant change was observed with treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1037//0022-006X.70.4.916

    View details for Web of Science ID 000177347400006

    View details for PubMedID 12182275

  • Traumatic stress symptoms among women with recently diagnosed primary breast cancer JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS Koopman, C., Butler, L. D., Classen, C., Giese-Davis, J., Morrow, G. R., Westendorf, J., Banerjee, T., Spiegel, D. 2002; 15 (4): 277-287

    Abstract

    This study examined the concurrent and longitudinal relationships between traumatic stress symptoms and demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables among women recently diagnosed with primary breast cancer. Participants were 117 women drawn from a parent study for women recently diagnosed with primary breast cancer. At baseline, the Impact of Event Scale (IES) total score was related to intensity of postsurgical treatment and lower emotional self-efficacy. At the 6-month follow-up, the IES total score was significantly related to younger age, to the increased impact of the illness on life, and to the baseline IES total score assessment. These results suggest that it is important to intervene for traumatic stress symptoms soon after the diagnosis of breast cancer. Furthermore, these results suggest women at greatest risk are those who are younger, who receive postsurgical cancer treatment, who are low in emotional self-efficacy and whose lives are most affected by having cancer.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000176806000002

    View details for PubMedID 12224799

  • Coping, social support, and attachment style as psychosocial correlates of adjustment in men and women with HIV/AIDS JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE Turner-Cobb, J. M., Gore-Felton, C., Marouf, F., Koopman, C., Kim, P., Israelski, D., Spiegel, D. 2002; 25 (4): 337-353

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial correlates of adjustment to HIV/AIDS in a sample of 137 HIV-positive persons (78 men and 59 women). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine relationships between perceived quality of general social support, three attachment styles, and three coping styles with total score on Positive States of Mind Scale (PSOMS), our measure of adjustment. The influence of demographic and medical status variables was also accounted for. PSOMS total score was significantly associated with greater satisfaction with social support related to HIV/AIDS, more secure attachment style, and less use of behavioral disengagement in coping with HIV/AIDS. These results indicate that for people with HIV or AIDS, those individuals who are more satisfied with their relationships, securely engaged with others, and more directly engaged with their illness are more likely to experience positive adjustment. Implications for physical health outcome and opportunities for intervention are discussed.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000176226700002

    View details for PubMedID 12136496

  • How to launch a national Internet-based panel study quickly: lessons from studying how American are coping with the tragedy of September 11, 2001? CNS spectrums Butler, L. D., Seagraves, D. A., Desjardins, J. C., Azarow, J., Hastings, A., Garlan, R. W., DiMiceli, S., Winzelberg, A., Spiegel, D. 2002; 7 (8): 597-603

    Abstract

    This article reports on the planning, development, and implementation of a large national Internet-based panel study of how Americans are coping with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The study was designed to determine predictors and correlates of risk and resilience, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. In order to acquire timely and meaningful data, we developed/adapted an extensive set of measures, obtained human subjects approval, and posted a research Web site just 17 days after the attacks. This article describes the major hurdles we confronted and the guidelines we recommend regarding these topics, including the methodological trade-offs inherent in Internet-based research, information technology requirements and tribulations, human subjects issues, selection of measures and securing permission for their use, and the challenges of participant recruitment. We also discuss issues that we did not anticipate, including the survey intervention. We focus not on findings, but on the concrete procedural, administrative, technical, and scientific challenges we encountered and the solutions we devised under considerable time and resource pressures.

    View details for PubMedID 15094696

  • An example of maximizing survey return rates - Methodological issues for health professionals EVALUATION & THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS Gore-Felton, C., Koopman, C., Bridges, E., Thoresen, C., Spiegel, D. 2002; 25 (2): 152-168

    Abstract

    Obtaining a high response rate in survey research can bolster statistical power, reduce sampling error, and enhance the generalizability of the results to the population surveyed. We describe a mail survey designed to achieve a high return rate of completed questionnaires from members of the American Psychological Association who were engaged in clinical practice. We adapted the Total Design Method for survey research and were able to achieve a high response rate (68%) among health professionals. This was not an experiment in which we assessed the best method to increase survey response rates, hence we cannot empirically evaluate how each of the steps influenced our overall response rate. Future research is needed to identify the relative effectiveness of each of these principles in enhancing survey response rates. Research is also needed to distinguish general principles that apply across populations from those that must be tailored to specific subpopulations.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000177001300002

    View details for PubMedID 12026750

  • HIV: effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine PRIMARY CARE Power, R., Gore-Felton, C., Vosvick, M., Israelski, D. M., Spiegel, D. 2002; 29 (2): 361-?

    Abstract

    Outcome studies examining the efficacy of CAM among people living with HIV-AIDS are often conducted among small sample sizes with very little follow-up data or time points. Generalizability of many of the study findings is further limited by participant attrition. It is difficult to conduct clinical studies on chronically ill patients without participants dropping out, typically because the study demands coupled with their illness become too burdensome. Several studies have been conducted that include control groups, double-blind designs, and randomization. These scientifically sound studies have demonstrated promising results that strongly indicate a need for further research with larger samples in a prospective research design so that safety and efficacy can be determined over time. Many of the studies with small sample sizes reported trends, but did not find statistical significance. Increasing sample sizes in future studies is necessary to evaluate the scientific merit of these trends. Moreover, researchers need to evaluate the clinical and statistical significance in CAM use. The psychologic benefits of taking CAM should not be underestimated. For the purposes of this article, the authors did not include psychologic outcomes; however, there is evidence suggesting that decreasing depression can decrease HIV-related somatic complaints [69]. Studies need also to examine the effectiveness of CAM on psychologic outcomes and physical outcomes. This article and the authors' own research (Gore-Felton C et al, unpublished data) have revealed a high prevalence of alternative supplement use in conjunction with HIV medication, indicating an urgent need to understand the health benefits and the health risks of alternative supplements among patients with HIV and AIDS. Patients and physicians need more empirically based research to examine the toxicities, interactions, and health benefits of CAM. Many patients do not report the use of CAM to their physicians and very few physicians record treatments in the clinical record [70]. This will likely change as CAM becomes more widely recognized as a legitimate medical intervention; however, controlled outcome studies among large, diverse samples of people living with HIV-AIDS are needed. Health care providers need to assess the use of herbal and alternative therapy practices by their patients. Some patients may not be aware that they are taking a supplement or plant-based herb. Furthermore, some patients may believe that they are using something innocuous and even healthy simply because it came from a health food store. Understanding the contraindications of alternative therapies is necessary to prevent deleterious outcomes and to facilitate the safe and efficacious use of CAM in the management of HIV disease and related symptoms. As the epidemic in the United States continues to rise among women and minority populations, clinical research trials must include ethnically diverse patient populations that are gender balanced. Current available studies indicate that many CAM interventions may improve the quality of life of people living with HIV-AIDS; however, further studies using longitudinal, controlled designs are needed to accurately assess the safety of such interventions.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000176753700008

    View details for PubMedID 12391716

  • Effects of psychotherapy on cancer survival NATURE REVIEWS CANCER Spiegel, D. 2002; 2 (5): 383-389

    Abstract

    The possibility that psychotherapy could extend survival time for cancer patients has attracted attention among clinical investigators interested in the mind-body connection, among cancer patients seeking the best possible outcome and among the general public. A small number of randomized trials have been conducted, and they have produced conflicting results. Does emotional support affect the course of cancer? What physiological pathways might mediate such an effect? Given what we now know, should we change the standard of care for cancer patients?

    View details for DOI 10.1038/nrc800

    View details for Web of Science ID 000180446600016

    View details for PubMedID 12044014

  • Bridging psychology and biology - The analysis of individuals in groups AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST Kosslyn, S. M., Cacioppo, J. T., Davidson, R. J., Hugdahl, K., Lovallo, W. R., Spiegel, D., Rose, R. 2002; 57 (5): 341-351

    Abstract

    Biological systems are particularly prone to variation, and the authors argue that such variation must be regarded as important data in its own right. The authors describe a method in which individual differences are studied within the framework of a general theory of the population as a whole and illustrate how this method can be used to address three types of issues: the nature of the mechanisms that give rise to a specific ability, such as mental imagery; the role of psychological or biological mediators of environmental challenges, such as the biological bases for differences in dispositional mood; and the existence of processes that have nonadditive effects with behavioral and physiological variables, such as factors that modulate the response to stress and its effects on the immune response.

    View details for DOI 10.1037//0003-066X.57.5.341

    View details for Web of Science ID 000175513800001

    View details for PubMedID 12025764

  • Endocrine pathways in cancer: Effects of stress and support Spiegel, D., Sephton, S., LEVINE, S. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2002: 18S–18S
  • Re: Night shift work, light at night, and risk of breast cancer JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Spiegel, D., Sephton, S. 2002; 94 (7): 530-530

    View details for Web of Science ID 000177454500015

    View details for PubMedID 11929957

  • Emotion regulation and metastatic breast cancer International Congress Series Giese-Davis J, Spiegel D. 2002; 1241: 31-35
  • Emotion regulation and metastatic breast cancer 16th World Congress on Psychosomatic Medicine Giese-Davis, J., Spiegel, D. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2002: 31–35
  • Reduced emotional control as a mediator of decreasing distress among breast cancer patients in group therapy 16th World Congress on Psychosomatic Medicine Spiegel, D., Giese-Davis, J. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2002: 37–40
  • Steeper diurnal cortisol rhythm associated with greater primary negative affect and greater positive affect within spoken narratives in cancer support groups Giese-Davis, J., Perry, C. J., Abercrombie, H., Spiegel, D. BLACKWELL PUBLISHING. 2002: S38–S38
  • Improving the quality of life for patients with cancer through the Cancer Supportive Care Program and Web site Rosenbaum, E. H., Spiegel, D., Gautier, H., Hawn, M., Fobair, P., Festa, B., Dzubur, K., Manuel, F., Tayam, A., Peart, J. V., FOURNIER, J., Kramer, P., Nouriami, B., Andrews, A., Chan, J., Ignoffo, R. ELSEVIER. 2002: 11–12
  • Maladaptive coping strategies in relation to quality of life among HIV+ adults. AIDS and Behavior Vosvick M, Gore-Felton C, Koopman C, Thoresen C, Krumboltz J & Spiegel D. 2002; 6 (1): 97-106
  • Acute stress in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 CPA BUlletine de l'APC Spiegel D, Butler L. 2002; 34 (4)
  • Psychological morbidity among breast cancer survivors: A longitudinal study. Rehabilitation Psychology Lagana L, Whealin J, Carpio F, Koopman C, Classen C, Spiegel D. 2002; 47 (3): 370
  • Acute stress reactions to recent life events among women and men living with HIV/AIDs INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN MEDICINE Koopman, C., Gore-Felton, C., Azimi, N., O'Shea, K., Ashton, E., Power, R., De Maria, S., Israelski, D., Spiegel, D. 2002; 32 (4): 361-378

    Abstract

    This study examined the prevalence of acute stress reactions to recent life events among persons living with HIV/AIDS. A second aim was to investigate the relationship of acute stress reactions among HIV-infected men and women to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to previous traumatic life events.Participants included 64 HIV-seropositive persons (33 men and 31 women) drawn from a larger study examining the effects of group therapy on quality of life and health behavior. These individuals were assessed at baseline on demographic and medical status characteristics and (PTSD) symptoms andthen randomly assigned to either receive group therapy plus education or education alone. Three months later they were assessed for acute stress reactions to recent life events.Nearly a third (31.3 percent) of the participants reported levels of acute stress reactions to recent life events that met all symptom criteria for the diagnosis of acute stress disorder. However, only 9.4 percent of the respondents described a recent stressful life event that was threatening to the life or physical integrity of themselves or others. Acute stress reactions to recent life events were significantly and positively related to experiencing PTSD symptoms to prior traumatic life events. Acute stress did not differ significantly by gender, AIDS status, or whether or not participants had received 12 weeks of group therapy.A subset of individuals with HIV/AIDS experience high levels of acute stress reactivity to life events considered non-traumatic. HIV-infected individuals who react strongly to ongoing life stressors are more likely to have developed PTSD symptoms in response to previous traumatic life events.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000183005200005

    View details for PubMedID 12779186

  • Mind matters - Group therapy and survival in breast cancer. NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Spiegel, D. 2001; 345 (24): 1767-1768

    View details for Web of Science ID 000172656100008

    View details for PubMedID 11742052

  • The effects of child sexual abuse: Comment on Rind, Tromovitch, and Bauserman (1998) PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN Dallam, S. J., Gleaves, D. H., Cepeda-Benito, A., Silberg, J. L., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. 2001; 127 (6): 715-733

    Abstract

    B. Rind, P. Tromovitch, and R. Bauserman (1998) examined the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) by meta-analyzing studies of college students. The authors reported that effects "were neither pervasive nor typically intense" and that "men reacted much less negatively than women" (p. 22) and recommended value-neutral reconceptualization of the CSA construct. The current analysis revealed numerous problems in that study that minimized CSA-adjustment relations, including use of a healthy sample, an inclusive definition of CSA, failure to correct for statistical attenuation, and misreporting of original data. Rind et al.'s study's main conclusions were not supported by the original data. As such, attempts to use their study to argue that an individual has not been harmed by sexual abuse constitute a serious misapplication of its findings.

    View details for DOI 10.1037//0033-2909.127.6.715

    View details for Web of Science ID 000172113200002

    View details for PubMedID 11726068

  • Is the placebo powerless? NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Spiegel, D., Kraemer, H., Carlson, R. W. 2001; 345 (17): 1276-1276

    View details for Web of Science ID 000171773100011

    View details for PubMedID 11680452

  • Psychoneuroimmune and endocrine pathways in cancer: effects of stress and support. Seminars in clinical neuropsychiatry Spiegel, D., Sephton, S. E. 2001; 6 (4): 252-265

    Abstract

    The bulk of cancer research has productively focused on the pathophysiology of the disease, emphasizing tumor biology, especially tumor characteristics such as DNA ploidy and estrogen/progesterone receptor status as predictors of disease outcome, at the expense of studying the body's psychophysiological reactions to tumor invasion. These reactions are mediated by brain/body mechanisms, including the endocrine, neuroimmune, and autonomic nervous systems. Although a large portion of the variance in any disease outcome is accounted for by the specific local pathophysiology of that disease, some variability must also be explained by 'host resistance' factors, which include the manner of response to the stress of the illness. The evidence of links between social support, stress, emotional state, and immune and endocrine function is growing. Here we examine evidence that 2 especially promising mechanisms, one immune, one endocrine, may mediate the relationship between stress and social support on the one hand and cancer progression on the other. We chose natural killer (NK) cells and cortisol because they are particularly good examples of mediating mechanisms for which there is solid basic and clinical evidence. NK cells are of great interest because they are involved in tumor surveillance, and because their activity can be measured in vitro.

    View details for PubMedID 11607921

  • Nutritional workshops for cancer patients: a pilot approach BULLETIN DU CANCER Mouysset, J. L., Baciuchka-Palmaro, M., Ichou, M., Duffaud, F., Neulat, G., Dudoit, E., Bagarry-Liegey, D., Tramoni, M., Spiegel, D., Marco, J. L., Favre, R. 2001; 88 (10): 959-964

    Abstract

    The authors describe an original experience with 3 years of a nutritional workshop for cancer patients. This intervention combine an information about nutritional aspects of cancer with psychosocial support, to buffer psychological and nutritional consequences of cancer. The workshop, leaded by two specialized teams, one in medical oncology, the other in public health, is proposed to patients during and after a specific treatment. In one day, it provided information about nutrition and cancer, diet education and psychosocial support with supportive-expressive group. At this day, the evaluation of this intervention is only subjective. Fifty-six patients participated in at least one workshop, with majority of women (91%). Nineteen workshops were leaded with average participant number of 7 per workshop the third year. The authors believe that nutritional workshops are of great help for cancer patients, by enhancing social reinsertion, giving opportunity of emotional expression and humanizing the treatment. Our experience show it is possible to propose psychosocial intervention in institution in the context of Mediterranean country. We are leading currently a study that will permit a more systematic evaluation of the effects of this intervention.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000172210600006

    View details for PubMedID 11713033

  • Revictimization and information processing in women survivors of childhood sexual abuse JOURNAL OF ANXIETY DISORDERS Field, N. P., Classen, C., Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Zarcone, J., Spiegel, D. 2001; 15 (5): 459-469

    Abstract

    This study examined the effect of sexual revictimization on information processing of trauma-related stimuli in a sample of child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fifty-one treatment-seeking women participated in this study. Participants completed the Sexual Experiences Survey regarding sexual revictimization in the last 6 months and performed a modified emotional Stroop task in which they named the colors of neutral words (e.g., apple), general threat words (e.g., malignant and death), and sexual/victimization words (e.g., penis and abuser). As predicted, the revictimized participants (n = 16) took significantly longer to color-name sexual/victimization words than did the nonrevictimized participants. These results suggest that revictimization serves to prime preexisting "trauma" memory networks, thereby amplifying the impact of childhood sexual trauma on selective attention toward trauma-related stimuli.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000171096600007

    View details for PubMedID 11583077

  • Spiritual expression and immune status in women with metastatic breast cancer: an exploratory study. breast journal Sephton, S. E., Koopman, C., Schaal, M., Thoresen, C., Spiegel, D. 2001; 7 (5): 345-353

    Abstract

    This exploratory study examined relationships between spirituality and immune function in 112 women with metastatic breast cancer. Spirituality was assessed by patient reports of frequency of attendance at religious services and importance of religious or spiritual expression. White blood cell counts, absolute numbers of lymphocytes, T-lymphocyte subsets, and natural killer cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Assessments of natural killer cell activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to skin test antigens provided two measures of functional immunity. In analyses controlling for demographic, disease status, and treatment variables, women who rated spiritual expression as more important had greater numbers of circulating white blood cells and total lymphocyte counts. Upon examination of relationships with lymphocyte subsets, both helper and cytotoxic T-cell counts were greater among women reporting greater spirituality.

    View details for PubMedID 11906445

  • Suppression, repressive-defensiveness, restraint, and distress in metastatic breast cancer: Separable or inseparable constructs? 20th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Behavioral-Medicine Giese-Davis, J., Spiegel, D. BLACKWELL PUBLISHING. 2001: 417–49

    Abstract

    A longstanding hypothesis links affective and behavioral inhibition with cancer incidence and progression though it does not clarify psychometric distinctions among related constructs. We hypothesized that repressive-defensiveness, suppression, restraint, and distress would be separable factors in our sample of metastatic breast cancer patients. Our results support the discriminant validity of these constructs in our total sample, and the stability over 1 year in our control group. Using factor analysis, we found 4 separate factors at our prerandomization baseline corresponding closely to hypothesized constructs. Additionally, associations in a multi-trait, multi-occasion (baseline and 1 year) matrix met each of the 3 Campbell and Fiske (1959) criteria of convergent and discriminant validity. Future research testing the links between psychological, physiological, and survival outcomes with affective inhibition in cancer patients will be clearer when informed by these distinctions.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000169839100003

    View details for PubMedID 11478732

  • Interpersonal problems and their relationship to sexual revictimization among women sexually abused in childhood JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE Classen, C., Field, N. P., Koopman, C., Nevill-Manning, K., Spiegel, D. 2001; 16 (6): 495-509
  • Mind matters - Coping and cancer progression JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH Spiegel, D. 2001; 50 (5): 287-290

    Abstract

    The idea that having an 'attitude' about cancer makes a difference in its course is a popular but controversial one. Most oncologists and surgeons believe that tumor type and stage, general health, and medical treatment are all that account for the variance in outcome. Many patients and their families believe that having the right attitude makes a difference in the course of disease. This leads us to two empirical questions: (1) Does coping make a difference in disease progression when medical prognostic variables are taken into account? and (2) What constitutes the 'right attitude'?

    View details for Web of Science ID 000169097400008

    View details for PubMedID 11399287

  • Supportive-expressive group therapy and distress in patients with metastatic breast cancer - A randomized clinical intervention trial Annual Meeting of the American-Psychological-Association Classen, C., Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Miller, E., DiMiceli, S., Giese-Davis, J., Fobair, P., Carlson, R. W., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. AMER MEDICAL ASSOC. 2001: 494–501

    Abstract

    Metastatic breast cancer carries with it considerable psychosocial morbidity. Studies have shown that some patients with metastatic breast cancer experience clinically significant anxiety and depression and traumatic stress symptoms. Supportive-expressive group psychotherapy was developed to help patients with cancer face and adjust to their existential concerns, express and manage disease-related emotions, increase social support, enhance relationships with family and physicians, and improve symptom control.Of 125 women with metastatic breast cancer recruited into the study, 64 were randomized to the intervention and 61 to the control condition. Intervention women were offered 1 year of weekly supportive-expressive group therapy and educational materials. Control women received educational materials only. Participants were assessed at baseline and every 4 months during the first year. Data at baseline and from at least 1 assessment were collected from 102 participants during this 12-month period, and these participants compose the study population.Primary analyses based on all available data indicated that participants in the treatment condition showed a significantly greater decline in traumatic stress symptoms on the Impact of Event Scale (effect size, 0.25) compared with the control condition, but there was no difference in Profile of Mood States total mood disturbance. However, when the final assessment occurring within a year of death was removed, a secondary analysis showed a significantly greater decline in total mood disturbance (effect size, 0.25) and traumatic stress symptoms (effect size, 0.33) for the treatment condition compared with the control condition.Supportive-expressive therapy, with its emphasis on providing support and helping patients face and deal with their disease-related stress, can help reduce distress in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000168479100010

    View details for PubMedID 11343530

  • Supportive-expressive group therapy and life extension of breast cancer patients: Spiegel et al. (1989). Advances in mind-body medicine Spiegel, D., Cordova, M. 2001; 17 (1): 38-41

    View details for PubMedID 11270061

  • Predictors of breast cancer-related posttraumatic growth Cordova, M. J., Chang, V., Giese-Davis, J., Kronenwetter, C., Golant, M., Benjamin, H., Spiegel, D. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2001: 127–27
  • Less expression of primary negative affect associated with flattened diurnal slope of cortisol Giese-Davis, J., Sephton, S., Spiegel, D. BLACKWELL PUBLISHING. 2001: S44–S44
  • Workbook-journal significantly reduces posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among rural women with primary breast cancer Koopman, C., Angell, K., Kreshka, M. A., Turner-Cobb, J., Donnelly, P., McCoy, R., Graddy, K., Spiegel, D. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. 2001: 160–161
  • Symptoms of acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder following exposure to disastrous flooding. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation Waelde L, Koopman C, Rierdan J, Spiegel D. 2001; 2 (2): 37-52
  • Distress, coping, and social support among rural women recently diagnosed with primary breast cancer. breast journal Koopman, C., Angell, K., Turner-Cobb, J. M., Kreshka, M. A., Donnelly, P., McCoy, R., Turkseven, A., Graddy, K., Giese-Davis, J., Spiegel, D. 2001; 7 (1): 25-33

    Abstract

    This study examined distress, coping, and group support among a sample of rural women who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. We recruited 100 women who had been diagnosed with primary breast cancer at one of two time points in their medical treatment: either within a window up to 3 months after their diagnosis of breast cancer, or within 6 months after completing medical treatment for breast cancer. Their mean age was 58.6 years (SD = 11.6), and 90% were of white/European American ethnicity. Women completed a battery of demographic and psychosocial measures prior to being randomized into a psychoeducational intervention study, and then again 3 months later at a follow-up assessment. The focus of this article is on the women's self-reported psychosocial status at baseline. Many of the women experienced considerable traumatic stress regarding their breast cancer. However, this distress was not reflected in a standard measure of mood disturbance that is frequently used in intervention research (the Profile of Mood States). The average woman considered her diagnosis of breast cancer to be among the four most stressful life events that she had ever experienced. Also, women on average reported a high level of helplessness/hopelessness in coping with their cancer. On average, women felt that they "often" (but not "very often") received instrumental assistance, emotional support, and informational support. Women varied considerably in which kind of social group provided them with the most support, with as many reporting that they found the greatest support in spiritual/church groups or within their family units as with breast or general cancer groups. These results suggest that among these rural women with breast cancer, distress with the diagnosis of breast cancer must be carefully assessed, as women who are highly distressed about their breast cancer may not report general mood disturbance. Furthermore, the kinds of groups that rural women with breast cancer experience as most supportive need to be identified so that psychosocial interventions can be matched to breast cancer patients' individual needs.

    View details for PubMedID 11348412

  • Letter to Editor New England Journal of Medicine Spiegel D. 2001; 345 (11): 841-842
  • A preliminary report comparing trauma-focused and present-focused group therapy against a wait-listed condition among childhood sexual abuse survivors with PTSD. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma Classen C, Koopman C, Nevill-Manning K, Spiegel D 2001; 4 (2): 265-288
  • Acute dissociative reactions in veterans with PTSD Jounral of Trauma & Dissociation Koopman C, Drescher K, Bowles S, Fusman F, Blake D, Dondershine H, Chang V, Butler L, Spiegel D. 2001; 2 (1): 91-111
  • Supportive-expressive group therapy and life extension of breast cancer patients. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine Spiegel D, Cordova M. 2001; 17 (1): 38-41
  • Comparison of lesbian and heterosexual women's response to newly diagnosed breast cancer PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Fobair, P., O'Hanlan, K., Koopman, C., Classen, C., DiMiceli, S., Drooker, N., Warner, D., Davids, H. R., Loulan, J., Wallsten, D., Goffinet, D., Morrow, G., Spiegel, D. 2001; 10 (1): 40-51

    Abstract

    In a study comparing lesbian and heterosexual women's response to newly diagnosed breast cancer, we compared data from 29 lesbians with 246 heterosexual women with breast cancer. Our hypotheses were that lesbian breast cancer patients would report higher scores of mood disturbance; suffer fewer problems with body image and sexual activity; show more expressiveness and cohesiveness and less conflict with their partners; would find social support from their partners and friends; and would have a poorer perception of the medical care system than heterosexual women. Our predictions regarding sexual orientation differences were supported for results regarding body image, social support, and medical care. There were no differences in mood, sexual activity or relational issues. Not predicted were differences in coping, indicating areas of emotional strength and vulnerability among the lesbian sample.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000166703200004

    View details for PubMedID 11180576

  • Acute stress reactions to everyday stressful life events among sexual abuse survivors with PTSD. Journal of child sexual abuse Koopman, C., Gore-Felton, C., Classen, C., Kim, P., Spiegel, D. 2001; 10 (2): 83-99

    Abstract

    This study examined symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), which is often thought of as a precursor to PTSD, among 54 women who already had PTSD for childhood sexual abuse for which they were seeking treatment. We examined the prevalence of ASD symptoms as well as their relationships to trauma symptoms measured by the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40. The ASD diagnosis requires the occurrence of a traumatic life event as well as meeting specific symptoms criteria. We found that fourty-four percent of participants met all symptom criteria for ASD, but only three of these 24 participants described a traumatic life event. Moreover, ASD symptoms were significantly related to trauma symptom scores. These findings suggest that a significant proportion of women with PTSD for childhood sexual abuse may be highly symptomatic for everyday stressful events that would not be experienced as traumatizing to others. Thus, these individuals need assistance in coping with everyday life stressors that do not involve a serious threat or injury in addition to needing help to alleviate their trauma symptoms.

    View details for PubMedID 15149937

  • Informed dissent regarding hypnosis and its not-so-hidden observers: Comment on Lynn AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 2001; 43 (3-4): 303-303

    View details for Web of Science ID 000167115500014

    View details for PubMedID 11269632

  • Interpersonal problems and their relationship to sexual revictimization among women sexually abused in childhood. Journal of Interpersonal Violence Classen C, Field N, Koopman C, Nevill -Manning K, Spiegel D. 2001; 15 (6): 495-509
  • Traumatic stress, pain and self-efficacy are related to breast cancer patients' satisfaction with care Psychosomatic Medicine Azarow J, Jan W, Koopman C, Classen C, Morrow G, Spiegel D. 2001; 63 (1): 1130
  • Real effects of real child sexual abuse. Sexualtiy and Culture Spiegel D. 2001; 4 (4): 99-105
  • Who is in Procrustes' bed? Sexuality and Culture Spiegel D. 2001; 5 (2): 79-86
  • Comparison of lesbian and heterosexual women's response to newly diagnosed breast cancer. Pyscho-oncology Fobair P, O'Hanlan K, Koopman C, Classen C, Dimiceli S, Drooker N, Warner D, Heather R, Davids H. R, Loulan J, Wallsten D, Goffinet D, MorrowG, Spiegel D. 2001; 10 (1): 40-51
  • Deconstructing the dissociative disorders: For whom the bell tolls Journal of Trauma & Dissociation Spiegel D. 2001; 2 (1): 51-57
  • Book Review: Breast Cancer: society shapes an epidemic. The New England Journal of Medicine Spiegel D. 2001; 344 (17): 1337-1338
  • Closure? The execution was just the start. The Washington Post, Sunday April 29th Spiegel D. 2001; B3
  • New DSM-IV diagnosis of acute stress disorder AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Classen, C., Cardena, E. 2000; 157 (11): 1890-1890

    View details for Web of Science ID 000165095100044

    View details for PubMedID 11058507

  • Relationships of perceived stress to coping, attachment and social support among HIV-positive persons AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV Koopman, C., Gore-Felton, C., Marouf, F., Butler, L. D., Field, N., Gill, M., Chen, X. H., Israelski, D., Spiegel, D. 2000; 12 (5): 663-672

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of coping, attachment style and perceived social support to perceived stress within a sample of HIV-positive persons. Participants were 147 HIV-positive persons (80 men and 67 women). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships of the demographic variables, AIDS status, three coping styles, three attachment styles and perceived quality of general social support with total score on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). PSS score was significantly associated with less income, greater use of behavioural and emotional disengagement in coping with HIV/AIDS, and less secure and more anxious attachment styles. These results indicate that HIV-positive persons who experience the greatest stress in their daily lives are those with lower incomes, those who disengage behaviourally/emotionally in coping with their illness, and those who approach their interpersonal relationships in a less secure or more anxious style.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000089953400013

    View details for PubMedID 11218551

  • Psychometric properties of the stanford acute stress reaction questionnaire (SASRQ): A valid and reliable measure of acute stress JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS Cardena, E., Koopman, C., Classen, C., Waelde, L. C., Spiegel, D. 2000; 13 (4): 719-734

    Abstract

    A reliable and valid measure is needed for assessing the psychological symptoms experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Previous research suggests that trauma victims typically experience dissociative, anxiety and other symptoms, during or shortly after a traumatic event. Although some of these symptoms may protect the trauma victim from pain, they may also lead to acute stress, posttraumatic stress, or other disorders. The Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ) was developed to evaluate anxiety and dissociation symptoms in the aftermath of traumatic events, following DSM-IV criteria for acute stress disorder. We present data from multiple datasets and analyses supporting the reliability and construct, convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of the SASRQ.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000165392000011

    View details for PubMedID 11109242

  • Hypnotic visual illusion alters color processing in the brain AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Kosslyn, S. M., Thompson, W. L., Costantini-Ferrando, M. F., Alpert, N. M., Spiegel, D. 2000; 157 (8): 1279-1284

    Abstract

    This study was designed to determine whether hypnosis can modulate color perception. Such evidence would provide insight into the nature of hypnosis and its underlying mechanisms.Eight highly hypnotizable subjects were asked to see a color pattern in color, a similar gray-scale pattern in color, the color pattern as gray scale, and the gray-scale pattern as gray scale during positron emission tomography scanning by means of [(15)O]CO(2). The classic color area in the fusiform or lingual region of the brain was first identified by analyzing the results when subjects were asked to perceive color as color versus when they were asked to perceive gray scale as gray scale.When subjects were hypnotized, color areas of the left and right hemispheres were activated when they were asked to perceive color, whether they were actually shown the color or the gray-scale stimulus. These brain regions had decreased activation when subjects were told to see gray scale, whether they were actually shown the color or gray-scale stimuli. These results were obtained only during hypnosis in the left hemisphere, whereas blood flow changes reflected instructions to perceive color versus gray scale in the right hemisphere, whether or not subjects had been hypnotized.Among highly hypnotizable subjects, observed changes in subjective experience achieved during hypnosis were reflected by changes in brain function similar to those that occur in perception. These findings support the claim that hypnosis is a psychological state with distinct neural correlates and is not just the result of adopting a role.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000088520100016

    View details for PubMedID 10910791

  • Repression associated with a physiological risk factor for early death in metastatic breast cancer Giese-Davis, J., Sephton, S., Duran, R. E., Spiegel, D. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2000: S42–S42
  • Psychologists' beliefs and clinical characteristics: Judging the veracity of childhood sexual abuse memories PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY-RESEARCH AND PRACTICE Gore-Felton, C., Koopman, C., Thoresen, C., Arnow, B., Bridges, E., Spiegel, D. 2000; 31 (4): 372-377
  • Diurnal cortisol rhythm as a predictor of breast cancer survival JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Sephton, S. E., Sapolsky, R. M., Kraemer, H. C., Spiegel, D. 2000; 92 (12): 994-1000

    Abstract

    : Abnormal circadian rhythms have been observed in patients with cancer, but the prognostic value of such alterations has not been confirmed. We examined the association between diurnal variation of salivary cortisol in patients with metastatic breast cancer and subsequent survival. We explored relationships between cortisol rhythms, circulating natural killer (NK) cell counts and activity, prognostic indicators, medical treatment, and psychosocial variables.Salivary cortisol levels of 104 patients with metastatic breast cancer were assessed at study entry at 0800, 1200, 1700, and 2100 hours on each of 3 consecutive days, and the slope of diurnal cortisol variation was calculated using a regression of log-transformed cortisol concentrations on sample collection time. NK cell numbers were measured by flow cytometry, and NK cell activity was measured by the chromium release assay. The survival analysis was conducted by the Cox proportional hazards regression model with two-sided statistical testing.Cortisol slope predicted subsequent survival up to 7 years later. Earlier mortality occurred among patients with relatively "flat" rhythms, indicating a lack of normal diurnal variation (Cox proportional hazards, P =. 0036). Patients with chest metastases, as opposed to those with visceral or bone metastases, had more rhythmic cortisol profiles. Flattened profiles were linked with low counts and suppressed activity of NK cells. After adjustment for each of these and other factors, the cortisol slope remained a statistically significant, independent predictor of survival time. NK cell count emerged as a secondary predictor of survival.Patients with metastatic breast cancer whose diurnal cortisol rhythms were flattened or abnormal had earlier mortality. Suppression of NK cell count and NK function may be a mediator or a marker of more rapid disease progression.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000087735600012

    View details for PubMedID 10861311

  • Quality of couples' relationship and adjustment to metastatic breast cancer 106th Annual Convention of the American-Psychological-Association Giese-Davis, J., Hermanson, K., Koopman, C., Weibel, D., Spiegel, D. AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. 2000: 251–66

    Abstract

    This study examined mood disturbance among women with metastatic breast cancer in relationship to partnership status, relationship quality, and partner's coping and mood disturbance. These associations were examined within a total sample of 125 metastatic breast cancer patients and a subsample of 48 of these patients and their partners. Partnered and single women were indistinguishable in mood disturbance when household income was statistically controlled. Results also showed that patients were less distressed when they rated the relationship higher in Cohesion--Expression and in Conflict and when their partners reported lower mood disturbance. One possible implication of these results is that in relationships in which a woman has metastatic cancer, she may benefit from open engagement of difficulties and conflict. Furthermore, alleviating her distress may be better achieved by focus on the couple relationship rather than her individual coping.

    View details for DOI 10.1037//0893-3200.14.2.251

    View details for Web of Science ID 000087676300006

    View details for PubMedID 10870293

  • Social support and salivary cortisol in women with metastatic breast cancer PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE Turner-Cobb, J. M., Sephton, S. E., Koopman, C., Blake-Mortimer, J., Spiegel, D. 2000; 62 (3): 337-345

    Abstract

    This study used a cross-sectional design to examine the relationships between social support, both quantity (number of people) and quality (appraisal, belonging, tangible, and self-esteem), and neuroendocrine function (mean and slope of diurnal salivary cortisol) among women with metastatic breast cancer.Participants (N = 103) were drawn from a study (N = 125) of the effects of group therapy on emotional adjustment and health in women with metastatic breast cancer. They completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and the Yale Social Support Index and provided saliva samples for assessment of diurnal cortisol levels on each of 3 consecutive days. Diurnal mean levels were calculated using log-transformed cortisol concentrations, and the slope of diurnal cortisol variation was calculated by regression of log-transformed cortisol concentrations on sample collection time.Mean salivary cortisol was negatively related to the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List subscales of appraisal, belonging, and tangible social support. No association was found between quantitative support or the esteem subscale of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and mean salivary cortisol. Measures of qualitative and quantitative social support were not associated with the diurnal cortisol slope.Results show that greater quality of social support is associated with lower cortisol concentrations in women with metastatic breast cancer, which is indicative of healthier neuroendocrine functioning. These results may have clinical implications in the treatment of breast cancer.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000087277600007

    View details for PubMedID 10845347

  • Adjunctive non-pharmacological analgesia for invasive medical procedures: a randomised trial LANCET Lang, E. V., Benotsch, E. G., Fick, L. J., Lutgendorf, S., Berbaum, M. L., Berbaum, K. S., Logan, H., Spiegel, D. 2000; 355 (9214): 1486-1490

    Abstract

    Non-pharmacological behavioural adjuncts have been suggested as efficient safe means in reducing discomfort and adverse effects during medical procedures. We tested this assumption for patients undergoing percutaneous vascular and renal procedures in a prospective, randomised, single-centre study.241 patients were randomised to receive intraoperatively standard care (n=79), structured attention (n=80), or self-hypnotic relaxation (n=82). All had access to patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with fentanyl and midazolam. Patients rated their pain and anxiety on 0-10 scales before, every 15 min during and after the procedures.Pain increased linearly with procedure time in the standard group (slope 0.09 in pain score/15 min, p<0.0001), and the attention group (slope 0.04/15 min; p=0.0425), but remained flat in the hypnosis group. Anxiety decreased over time in all three groups with slopes of -0.04 (standard), -0.07 (attention), and -0.11 (hypnosis). Drug use in the standard group (1.9 units) was significantly higher than in the attention and hypnosis groups (0.8 and 0.9 units, respectively). One hypnosis patient became haemodynamically unstable compared with ten attention patients (p=0.0041), and 12 standard patients (p=0.0009). Procedure times were significantly shorter in the hypnosis group (61 min) than in the standard group (78 min, p=0.0016) with procedure duration of the attention group in between (67 min).Structured attention and self-hypnotic relaxation proved beneficial during invasive medical procedures. Hypnosis had more pronounced effects on pain and anxiety reduction, and is superior, in that it also improves haemodynamic stability.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000086830100009

    View details for PubMedID 10801169

  • Uses of guided imagery for pain control by african-american and white women with metastatic breast cancer. Integrative medicine : integrating conventional and alternative medicine Moore, R. J., Spiegel, D. 2000; 2 (2): 115-126

    Abstract

    Understanding the meanings patients attach to their experiences can help clinicians and researchers to more adequately address a patient's experience with cancer pain. Indeed, many patients seem to desire to and benefit from attaching meaning to the disease and its treatment. In particular, many patients are drawn to guided imagery as a tool in the management of cancer-related anxiety and pain. Using excerpts from African-American and White women's breast cancer narratives, we show that breast cancer survivors use guided imagery as a vehicle for reconnecting to the self, to make sense of their experiences with breast cancer, and as a tool for managing cancer pain. Cancer pain increases the disruption in the connection between the body and the mind that is already part of the illness experience. Guided imagery can be regarded as one response to this problem, and may be understood as an attempt to reconnect mind and body in a manner that increases the sense of control, thereby alleviating the suffering of the survivor.

    View details for PubMedID 10882885

  • Lonely traits and concomitant physiological processes: the MacArthur social neuroscience studies 9th World Congress of the International-Organization-of-Psychophysiology (IOP) Cacioppo, J. T., Ernst, J. M., Burleson, M. H., McClintock, M. K., Malarkey, W. B., Hawkley, L. C., Kowalewski, R. B., Paulsen, A., Hobson, J. A., Hugdahl, K., Spiegel, D., Berntson, G. G. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2000: 143–54

    Abstract

    Loneliness is a complex set of feelings encompassing reactions to unfulfilled intimate and social needs. Although transient for some individuals, loneliness can be a chronic state for others. Prior research has shown that loneliness is a major risk factor for psychological disturbances and for broad-based morbidity and mortality. We examined differences between lonely and socially embedded individuals that might explain differences in health outcomes. Satisfying social relationships were associated with more positive outlooks on life, more secure attachments and interactions with others, more autonomic activation when confronting acute psychological challenges, and more efficient restorative behaviors. Individuals who were chronically lonely were characterized by elevated mean salivary cortisol levels across the course of a day, suggesting more discharges of corticotropin-releasing hormone and elevated activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocorticol axis. An experimental manipulation of loneliness further suggested that the way in which people construe their self in relation to others around them has powerful effects on their self concept and, possibly, on their physiology.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000085630700004

    View details for PubMedID 10677643

  • Psychologists' beliefs and clinical characteristics: Judging the veracity of childhood sexual abuse memories. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice Gore-Felton C, Koopman C, Thorensen C, Arnow B, Bridges E. Spiegel D. 2000; 31 (4): 372-377
  • Diurnal cortisol rhythm as a predictor of breast cancer survival Journal of the National Cancer Institute Sephton, S.E., Sapolsky, R. M., Kraemer, H.C., Spiegel, D. 2000; 92 (12): 994-1000
  • Suffer the children: Longterm effects of sexual abuse. Society Spiegel D. 2000; 37 (4): 18-20
  • The relationship between pain and coping styles among HIV-positive men and women PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH Hart, S., Gore-Felton, C., Maldonado, J., Lagana, L., Blake-Mortimer, J., Israelski, D., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 2000; 15 (6): 869-879
  • Affective engagement and couple's adjustment to metastatic breast cancer. Journal of Family Psychology Giese-Davis J, Hermanson K, Koopman C, Spiegel D. 2000; 14 (2): 372-377
  • The price of abusing children and numbers Sexuality and Culture Spiegel D. 2000; 4 (2): 63-66
  • The relationship between pain and coping styles among HIV-positive men and women. Psychology and Health Hart S, Gore-Felton C, Maldonado J, Lagana L, Blake-Mortimer J, Israelski D, Koopman C, Spiegel D. 2000; 15 (15): 869-879
  • Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of group psychotherapy for patients with cancer. ONE (Oncology Economics) spiegel D. 2000; 1 (5): 53-58
  • Hypnotizability and the use of traditional dhami-jhankri healing in Nepal INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Biswas, A., See, D., KOGON, M. M., Spiegel, D. 2000; 48 (1): 6-21

    Abstract

    This study examined the role of hypnotic responsiveness in the practice of a dhami-jhankri, a traditional Nepali healer. The hypnotic capacity of 248 male patients was measured in an allopathic (Western) clinic, an Ayurvedic (ancient Hindu healing art) clinic, and a dhami-jhankri's practice. Hypnotizability was assessed using the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP). The Induction scores of the HIP were significantly higher among the dhami-jhankri's patients than among either the Ayurvedic or allopathic patients. Furthermore, patients who returned to the dhami-jhankri were more highly hypnotizable than first-time dhami-jhankri patients. In addition, treatment satisfaction as reported by dhami-jhankri patients was positively correlated with HIP scores. The authors conclude that hypnotic phenomena as measured in the West might be an important component of the dhami-jhankri's treatment in the East.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000084384600002

    View details for PubMedID 10641429

  • Reducing stress in the stressed out world of cancer Coping with Cancer Diamond S., Rosenbaum E, Spiegel D. 2000; 14 (4): 14-15
  • Letter to the Editor Am J Psychiatry Spiegel D., Classen C, Cardena E. 2000; 157 (11): 1890
  • Impact and timing of group support for cancer patients experiencing trauma symptoms Caldwell, R., Golant, M., Giese-Davis, J., Butler, L. D., Kronenwetter, C., Benjamin, H., Spiegel, D. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD. 1999: 38–38
  • Workbook-journal significantly reduces postraumatic stress disorder symptoms among rural women with primary brest cancer Koopman, C., Angell, K., Kreshka, M. A., Turner-Cobb, J., Donnelly, P., McCoy, R., Spiegel, D. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD. 1999: 13–13
  • Group psychotherapy for recently diagnosed breast cancer patients: A multicenter feasibility study PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Spiegel, D., Morrow, G. R., Classen, C., Raubertas, R., STOTT, P. B., MUDALIAR, N., Pierce, H. I., Flynn, P. J., Heard, L., Riggs, G. 1999; 8 (6): 482-493

    Abstract

    As many as 80% of breast cancer patients report significant distress during initial treatment, yet there is little in the way of systematic psychotherapeutic interventions for women coping with the stress of a recent diagnosis of breast cancer. The literature on psychotherapeutic treatment of cancer patients provides uniform evidence for an improvement in mood, coping and adjustment as a result of group therapy. The present study examined the feasibility of implementing a manualized treatment, supportive-expressive group psychotherapy, in busy oncology practices across the US. This intervention was applied to women with primary breast cancer in a manner which tests not only the efficacy of the approach but also its accessibility to group therapists not previously experienced in its use. One hundred and eleven breast cancer patients within 1 year of diagnosis were recruited from ten geographically diverse sites of the National Cancer Institute's Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and two academic medical centers. Two therapists from each site were trained in supportive-expressive group psychotherapy. Training consisted of participation in a workshop, reading a treatment manual, and viewing explanatory videotapes. Each patient participated in a supportive-expressive group that met for 12 weekly sessions lasting 90 min. Assessment of mood disturbance was made at entry, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results indicated a significant 40% decrease in the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) scores of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) (ANOVA F [2,174]=3.98, p<0.05). The total symptom score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was likewise significantly reduced over the 6-month period (F [2, 174]=5.2, p<0.01). Similarly, the total score of the Impact of Event Scale (IES) was significantly reduced (F [2,174]=4.0, p<0.05). There was substantial uniformity of treatment effect across sites. Outcome was independent of stage of disease (I vs. II). We conclude that this treatment program can be effectively implemented in a community setting and results in reduced distress among breast cancer patients.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000084530300003

    View details for PubMedID 10607981

  • Traumatic stress, life events, and emotional support in women with metastatic breast cancer: Cancer-related traumatic stress symptoms associated with past and current stressors HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Classen, C., Spiegel, D. 1999; 18 (6): 555-560

    Abstract

    This study examined levels of intrusion and avoidance symptoms and their relationships to past life stress, current emotional support, disease-related variables, and age in 125 women with metastatic breast cancer. The results indicate that a sizable proportion of these women experienced clinically significant levels of intrusion and avoidance symptoms related to their cancer, particularly those with both more stressful past life events and higher current levels of aversive emotional support. Additionally, both types of symptoms were associated with shorter time since recurrence, and avoidance symptoms were associated with smaller emotional support networks. These results indicate that metastatic breast cancer is an emotionally traumatic event for a significant proportion of women, particularly those with past life stressors and unsupportive social environments.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000084078100001

    View details for PubMedID 10619528

  • Improving the quality and quantity of life among patients with cancer: A review of the effectiveness of group psychotherapy EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER Blake-Mortimer, J., Gore-Felton, C., Kimerling, R., Turner-Cobb, J. M., Spiegel, D. 1999; 35 (11): 1581-1586

    Abstract

    Cancer patients suffer from a number of psychosocial problems related to the progression of their disease as well as standard medical interventions. Fortunately, there is empirical evidence suggesting that group psychotherapy is effective at ameliorating psychological distress and in some cases improving survival. For this literature review we examined the psychological morbidity, particularly anxiety and depression, among cancer patients. Further, we conducted a critical examination of the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of group psychotherapy for improving the quality as well as the quantity of life in cancer patients. Finally, we explored the specific components of effective group psychotherapy, which has been associated with enhanced survival. We conclude that there is compelling evidence indicating that group psychotherapy improves the quality of life of cancer patients. Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that group psychotherapy improves survival of cancer patients.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000083402300006

    View details for PubMedID 10673965

  • A review of acute stress reactions among victims of violence: Implications for early intervention AGGRESSION AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR Gore-Felton, C., Gill, M., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 1999; 4 (3): 293-306
  • Embodying the mind in psychooncology research. Advances in mind-body medicine Spiegel, D. 1999; 15 (4): 267-273

    View details for PubMedID 10555399

  • Psychologists' beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse: The influence of sexual abuse history, gender, and theoretical orientation CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT Gore-Felton, C., Arnow, B., Koopman, C., Thoresen, C., Spiegel, D. 1999; 23 (8): 803-811

    Abstract

    This study examined the influence of sexual abuse history, gender, theoretical orientation, and age on beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among clinical and counseling psychologists.A mail survey design was used in this study. Participants were randomly selected from the American Psychological Association membership database. There were 615 psychologists who completed self-report measures on beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and demographic characteristics.Overall, clinicians' scores on the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse were moderate. There were significant gender differences on beliefs, suggesting that women were more likely believe that childhood sexual abuse is a common occurrence compared to men. Multiple regression analysis indicated that clinician characteristics (history of sexual abuse, gender, and theoretical orientation) were significantly related to beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. However, these characteristics only accounted for a small amount of the overall variance predicting beliefs.These results suggest that clinicians do not hold extreme beliefs regarding the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. Moreover, certain clinician characteristics are associated with their beliefs, which in turn, may impact their clinical judgment and treatment decisions. Furthermore, much of the variance was unaccounted for in the model indicating that psychologists' beliefs are complex and are not unduly influenced by their personal characteristics. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081643300008

    View details for PubMedID 10477240

  • A 43-year-old woman coping with cancer JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Spiegel, D., Parker, R. A. 1999; 282 (4): 371-378

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081596800033

    View details for PubMedID 10432035

  • Effects of hypnotizability on performance of a stroop task and event-related potentials PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS Nordby, H., Hugdahl, K., Jasiukaitis, P., Spiegel, D. 1999; 88 (3): 819-830

    Abstract

    The effect of hypnotizability on verbal reaction times and event-related potentials during performance of a Stroop color-naming task was studied. The Stroop stimuli (colored words) were randomly presented to 5 high and 5 low hypnotizable subjects in the right and left peripheral visual fields during both waking state and hypnotic induction conditions. Unlike studies in which the Stroop stimuli were foveally presented to the subjects, the highly hypnotizable subjects did not show prolonged verbal reaction times in either waking or hypnotic conditions. There was a marked deterioration in performance accuracy, however, for highly hypnotizable subjects during hypnosis. Event-related potentials indicated that the highly hypnotizable subjects showed a reduced P3a amplitude and a decreased N2b latency to the visual stimuli in both waking and hypnotic conditions, suggesting a lack of orienting to or disengagement from peripherally occurring stimuli.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081127100015

    View details for PubMedID 10407889

  • Cunning but careless: Analysis of a non-replication PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Kraemer, H., Spiegel, D. 1999; 8 (3): 273-275

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081023100010

    View details for PubMedID 10390741

  • The Fox guarding the clinical trial: Internal vs. external validity in randomized studies PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Goodwin, P. J., Pritchard, K. I., Spiegel, D. 1999; 8 (3): 275-275

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081023100011

    View details for PubMedID 10390742

  • The patient, the physician, and the truth HASTINGS CENTER REPORT Whitney, S. N., Spiegel, D. 1999; 29 (3): 24-25

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081231600010

    View details for PubMedID 10420301

  • Healing words - Emotional expression and disease outcome JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Spiegel, D. 1999; 281 (14): 1328-1329

    View details for Web of Science ID 000079628700039

    View details for PubMedID 10208150

  • Cunning but careless: Analysis of a non-Replication Psycho-Oncology Spiegel D. 1999; 8: 273-274
  • Acute stress reactions to actual or threatened violence: Implications for ealy intervention. Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal Gore-Felton C, Gill M, Koopman C, Thorensen C, Spiegel D. 1999; 4: 293-306
  • Nonpharmacologic analgesia and anxiolysis for interventional radiological procedures SEMINARS IN INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Lang, E. V., Lutgendorf, S., Logan, H., Benotsch, E. G., Laser, E., Spiegel, D. 1999; 16 (2): 113-123
  • Nonpharmacologic analgesia and anxiolysis for interventional radiological procedures Seminars in Interventional Radiology Lang E V, Lutgendorf S, Logan H, Benotsch E G, Laser E, Spiegel D. 1999; 16: 113-123
  • Enhancing women's lives: The role of support groups among breast cancer patients The Journal for Specialists in Group Work Gore-Felton C, Spiegel D. 1999; 24 (3): 274-287
  • La hipnosis y los trantornos postraumaticos Anales de Psicologia Cardena E, Maldonado J, Galdon M, Spiegel D. 1999; 15 (1): 147-155
  • Repressed memory syndrome (Transcript of the Panel Discussion) Pyshiatric Update Fink P, Bloom S, Spiegel D. 1999; 19 (1): 1-9
  • Commentary: Deconstructing self-destruction PSYCHIATRY-INTERPERSONAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES Spiegel, D. 1999; 62 (4): 329-330

    View details for Web of Science ID 000085315000006

    View details for PubMedID 10693228

  • Commentary: The patient. the physician, and the truth The Hastings Report Spiegel D. 1999; 29 (3): 24-25
  • From courtroom to couch - Working with repressed memory and avoiding lawsuits PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA Scheflin, A. W., Spiegel, D. 1998; 21 (4): 847-?

    Abstract

    Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed during the last decade against therapists who work with patient having repressed memories. These lawsuits claim that therapists are engaged in "repressed memory" therapy, which does not retrieve memories, but instead actually imparts false beliefs, which serve as "pseudo-memories". This article explores the issues of repressed, false, and implanted memories. Advice is given concerning good therapeutic practice and the avoidance of legal liability.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000077479000009

    View details for PubMedID 9890126

  • ECT in dissociative identity disorder and comorbid depression JOURNAL OF ECT Debattista, C., Solvason, H. B., Spiegel, D. 1998; 14 (4): 275-279

    Abstract

    Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously named multiple personality disorder, is a diagnosis often complicated by comorbid major depression. We report on four cases of DID associated with severe self-destructive behavior and comorbid major depression treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In three of the patients, ECT appeared to be helpful in treating the comorbid depression without adversely affecting the DID. The potential risks of using ECT in patients with DID are reviewed.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000084422900011

    View details for PubMedID 9871851

  • Representations of self in women sexually abused in childhood CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT Classen, C., Field, N. P., Atkinson, A., Spiegel, D. 1998; 22 (10): 997-1004

    Abstract

    This exploratory study examined the self representations of 27 women sexually abused in childhood and their association with symptomatology.Twenty-seven self-identified female survivors of childhood sexual abuse completed the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a measure designed to elicit subjects' self-generated descriptors of selves.Discrepancies in views of current self when compared to ideal or future selves were positively correlated with all symptom measures. Discrepancies in representations of current self compared to views of who they were when they were with their perpetrator were negatively correlated with trait anxiety. Self integration, as defined in this study, was negatively correlated with symptoms.This study suggests that cognitive representations of self are an important indicator of adjustment in survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000075826900007

    View details for PubMedID 9793722

  • Imagery and hypnotizability revisited INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS KOGON, M. M., Jasiukaitis, P., Berardi, A., Gupta, M., Kosslyn, S. M., Spiegel, D. 1998; 46 (4): 363-370

    Abstract

    The objective of this study was to correlate computer-generated imagery tasks and a self-report measure of imagery ability with hypnotizability, hypothesizing that computer-generated imagery tasks would be better predictors of hypnotizability than will the self-report measure. Hypnotizability of 43 subjects was assessed using the Hypnotic Induction Profile and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C. Imagery ability was assessed by the Visual Vividness Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) and by computer-generated imagery tasks measuring the ability to generate, maintain, and transform images. Although there was no correlation between the VVIQ and hypnotizability, the less hypnotizable subjects made twice as many mistakes in the spatial imagery tasks than did the more hypnotizables, but this difference was not statistically significant. The relationships among hypnotic performance, hypnotizability, and imagery functions are complex.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000076031900004

    View details for PubMedID 9780527

  • Hypnosis. The Harvard mental health letter / from Harvard Medical School Spiegel, D. 1998; 15 (3): 5-6

    View details for PubMedID 9723018

  • Consistency of memory among veterans of operation desert storm AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 1998; 155 (9): 1301-1301

    View details for Web of Science ID 000075723000040

    View details for PubMedID 9734564

  • A tale of two methods: Randomization versus matching trials in clinical research PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Spiegel, D., Kraemer, H. C., Bloom, J. R. 1998; 7 (5): 371-375

    View details for Web of Science ID 000076732900002

    View details for PubMedID 9809328

  • Acute stress disorder as a predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Classen, C., Koopman, C., Hales, R., Spiegel, D. 1998; 155 (5): 620-624

    Abstract

    Using the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder, the authors examined whether the acute psychological effects of being a bystander to violence involving mass shootings in an office building predicted later posttraumatic stress symptoms.The participants in this study were 36 employees working in an office building where a gunman shot 14 persons (eight fatally). The acute stress symptoms were assessed within 8 days of the event, and posttraumatic stress symptoms of 32 employees were assessed 7 to 10 months later.According to the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, 12 (33%) of the employees met criteria for the diagnosis of acute stress disorder. Acute stress symptoms were found to be an excellent predictor of the subjects' posttraumatic stress symptoms 7-10 months after the traumatic event.These results suggest not only that being a bystander to violence is highly stressful in the short run, but that acute stress reactions to such an event further predict later posttraumatic stress symptoms.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000073412500009

    View details for PubMedID 9585712

  • Complementary medicine WESTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Spiegel, D., Stroud, P., Fyfe, A. 1998; 168 (4): 241-247

    Abstract

    The widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine techniques, often explored by patients without discussion with their primary care physician, is seen as a request from patients for care as well as cure. In this article, we discuss the reasons for the growth of and interest in complementary and alternative medicine in an era of rapidly advancing medical technology. There is, for instance, evidence of the efficacy of supportive techniques such as group psychotherapy in improving adjustment and increasing survival time of cancer patients. We describe current and developing complementary medicine programs as well as opportunities for integration of some complementary techniques into standard medical care.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000073259300002

    View details for PubMedID 9584661

  • Social support, life stress, pain and emotional adjustment to advanced breast cancer PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY Koopman, C., Hermanson, K., Diamond, S., Angell, K., Spiegel, D. 1998; 7 (2): 101-111

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between emotional adjustment to advanced breast cancer, pain, social support, and life stress. The cross-sectional sample was compromised of 102 women with metastatic and/or recurrent breast cancer who were recruited into a randomized psychosocial intervention study. All women completed baseline questionnaires assessing demographic and medical variables, social support, life stress, pain, and mood disturbance. Three types of social support were assessed: (1) number of persons in support system; (2) positive support; and (3) aversive support. On the Profile of Mood States (POMS) total score, we found significant interactions between life stress and social support; having more people in the patient's support system was associated with less mood disturbance, but only among patients who had undergone greater life stress. Also, aversive social contact was significantly related to total mood disturbance (POMS), and having more aversive social contact was particularly associated with total mood disturbance (POMS) among patients who had undergone greater life stress. Pain intensity was associated with greater total life stress, and was not significantly related to social support. These results are consistent with the 'buffering hypothesis' that social support may shield women with metastatic breast cancer from the effects of previous life stress on their emotional adjustment; however, aversive support may be an additional source of life stress associated with emotional distress. Also, pain is greater among women with greater life stress, regardless of social support.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000073345600004

    View details for PubMedID 9589508

  • Hypnosis and implicit memory: Automatic processing of explicit content AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 1998; 40 (3): 231-240

    Abstract

    Kenneth S. Bowers, in whose honor this issue is written, was, in his own words, "seriously curious" (Bowers, 1983 (originally published 1976)) about hypnosis throughout his career. He brought a lively intellect and an engaging and lucid writing style reminiscent of Freud's (forgive me, Ken, I'm referring to style, not content), and a set of serious questions to the phenomenon of hypnosis. We are indebted to him for his many contributions to the field.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000071666200006

    View details for PubMedID 9470234

  • Acute stress reactions to a patient threat 147th Annual Meeting of the American-Psychiatric-Association Koopman, C., Zarcone, J., Mann, M., Freinkel, A., Spiegel, D. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. 1998: 27–45
  • Gettting there is half the fun: Relating happiness to health Psychological Inquiry Spiegel D. 1998; 9 (1): 66-68
  • The role of alternative health care in traditional medicine Federation Bulletin; The Journal of Medical Licensure and Discipline Spiegel D. 1998; 84 (3): 166-168
  • Acute stress reactions to a patient threat Anxiety, Stress and Coping Koopman C, Zarcone J, Mann M, Freinkel A, Spiegel D. 1998; 11: 27-45
  • Psychosocial interventions in cancer: Needs, methods, and outcome Psychosocial Interventions Spiegel D, Diamond S. 1998: 386-395
  • Effects of psychosocial treatment in prolonging cancer survival may be mediated by neuroimmune pathways 3rd Congress of the International-Society-of-Neuroimmunomodulation on Neuroimmunomodulation - Molecular Aspects, Integrative Systems, and Clinical Advances Spiegel, D., Sephton, S. E., Terr, A. I., Stites, D. P. NEW YORK ACAD SCIENCES. 1998: 674–683

    Abstract

    Research has provided growing evidence of links between the social environment and cancer progression. Indeed, social support in the form of marriage, frequent daily contact with others, and the presence of a confidant may all have protective value against cancer progression. Furthermore, retrospective data suggest that major stressful life events are more prevalent in patients with relapse or malignancy, and thus may contribute to cancer morbidity. Initial studies of the effects of psychosocial intervention with cancer patients have provided some promising results. In three randomized prospective trials, protective effects of psychosocial interventions on cancer progression have been confirmed, while one matching and one randomized study showed no survival effect after psychosocial treatment. Though more research is clearly needed in this area, this body of evidence suggests that psychosocial factors have potentially powerful modulating effects on the course of disease. Here we review evidence of one possible mechanism whereby psychosocial factors may influence disease-resistance capabilities: the neuroimmune connection. Suppressive effects of stress on immune function are well documented, and these effects have been shown to be modulated by social support. Thus, it is reasonable to hypothesize that supportive social relationships may buffer the effects of cancer-related stress on immunity, and thereby facilitate the recovery of immune mechanisms that may be important for cancer resistance. Data addressing this hypothesis are reviewed.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000074444500064

    View details for PubMedID 9629294

  • Using our heads: Effects of mental state and social influence on hypnosis Contemporary Hypnosis Spiegel D. 1998; 15 (3): 175-177
  • Social support., life stress, pain and emotional adjustment to advanced breast cancer Psycho-Oncology Koopman C, Hermanson K, Diamond S, Angell K, Spiegel D. 1998; 7 (2): 101-111
  • Imagery and hypnosis in the treatment of cancer patients. Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Spiegel, D., Moore, R. 1997; 11 (8): 1179-1189

    Abstract

    Many patients with cancer often seek some means of connecting their mental activity with the unwelcome events occurring in their bodies, via techniques such as imagery and hypnosis. Hypnosis has been shown to be an effective method for controlling cancer pain. The techniques most often employed involve physical relaxation coupled with imagery that provides a substitute focus of attention for the painful sensation. Other related imagery techniques, such as guided imagery, involve attention to internally generated mental images without the formal use of hypnosis. The most well-known of these techniques involves the use of "positive mental images" of a strong army of white blood cells killing cancer cells. Despite claims to the contrary, no reliable evidence has shown that this technique affects disease progression or survival. Studies evaluating more broadly defined forms psychosocial support have come to conflicting conclusions about whether or not these interventions affect survival of cancer patients. However, 10-year follow-up of a randomized trial involving 86 women with cancer showed that a year of weekly "supportive/expressive" group therapy significantly increased survival duration and time from recurrence to death. This intervention encourages patients to express and deal with strong emotions and also focuses on clarifying doctor-patient communication. Numerous other studies suggest that suppression of negative affect, excessive conformity, severe stress, and lack of social support predict a poorer medical outcome from cancer. Thus, further investigation into the interaction between body and mind in coping with cancer is warranted.

    View details for PubMedID 9268979

  • Effects of medical and psychotherapeutic treatment on the survival of women with metastatic breast carcinoma CANCER KOGON, M. M., Biswas, A., Pearl, D., Carlson, R. W., Spiegel, D. 1997; 80 (2): 225-230

    Abstract

    The authors previously reported a statistically significant effect of psychosocial intervention on survival time of women with metastatic breast carcinoma. In this study, the authors investigated whether this effect could be explained by differences in the medical treatment patients received subsequent to their group participation or differences in causes of death.Of the original 86 study participants, medical treatment charts for 61 and death certificates for 83 were available for further analysis. The authors reviewed the course of the medical treatment they received subsequent to their entry into the randomized psychotherapy trial.Although there were no statistically significant differences with regard to chemotherapy and hormone therapy between the control and treatment groups, women in the control group tended to have received more adrenalectomies, although this procedure did not account for the difference in survival time between the control group and the treatment group. Furthermore, women in the control group developed more bone and lung metastases than the women in the treatment group.Differences in disease course between the control and treatment groups appeared to be independent of any differences in medical treatment received.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997XJ01600009

    View details for PubMedID 9217034

  • Effectiveness of a training program for enhancing therapists' understanding of the supportive-expressive treatment model for breast cancer groups. The Journal of psychotherapy practice and research Classen, C., Abramson, S., Angell, K., Atkinson, A., Desch, C., Vinciguerra, V. P., Rosenbluth, R. J., Kirshner, J. J., Hart, R., Morrow, G., Spiegel, D. 1997; 6 (3): 211-218

    Abstract

    This study evaluated a training program for leaders of supportive-expressive psychotherapy groups for breast cancer patients. Twenty-four mental health/medical cancer care professionals completed two training phases and were tested for their understanding of the treatment model. Participants' understanding was enhanced as a result of the training program. This study demonstrates that a brief training program can improve therapists' understanding of the treatment model and demonstrates an effective method of evaluation. Future research should examine how performance on these tests generalizes to performance when leading a supportive-expressive group.

    View details for PubMedID 9185066

  • Relateralizing hypnosis: Or, have we been barking up the wrong hemisphere? 46th Annual Scientific Program of The Society-for-Clinical-and-Experimental-Hypnosis Jasiukaitis, P., Nouriani, B., Hugdahl, K., Spiegel, D. SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 1997: 158–77

    Abstract

    Research and theory over the past couple decades have suggested that the right cerebral hemisphere might be the focus of brain activity during hypnosis. Recent evidence from electrodermal responding, visual event-related potentials, and Stroop interference, however, can make a case for a role of the left hemisphere in some hypnotic phenomena. Although hemispheric activation on hypnotic challenge may depend in large part on the kind of task the challenge might involve, several general aspects of hypnosis might be more appropriately seen as left-rather than right-hemisphere brain functions. Among these are concentrated attentional focus and the role of language in the establishment of hypnotic reality. A left-hemisphere theory of hypnosis is discussed in light of recent findings and theories about a left-hemisphere basis for synthetic or generational capabilities (Corballis, 1991) and a neuro-evolutionary model of a left-hemisphere dopaminergic activation system for the implementation of predetermined motor programs (Tucker & Williamson, 1984).

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997WM47700005

    View details for PubMedID 9077052

  • Understanding risk assessment by cancer patients. Journal of health psychology Spiegel, D. 1997; 2 (2): 170-1

    View details for DOI 10.1177/135910539700200212

    View details for PubMedID 22012999

  • The economic impact of psychotherapy: A review AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Gabbard, G. O., Lazar, S. G., Hornberger, J., Spiegel, D. 1997; 154 (2): 147-155

    Abstract

    The authors reviewed data involving the impact of providing psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders on costs of care.In a search of the MEDLINE database limited to peer-reviewed papers published from 1984 through 1994, 686 articles were identified. Forty-one articles, covering 35 studies, were found in which the intervention tested was psychotherapeutic and the study included measures of outcome that had some implications for cost. The exclusion criteria for reviewing these studies included absence of a comparison group, a focus on medical disorders instead of psychiatric illnesses, and outcomes that did not include cost data or measures from which costs could be inferred. On this basis, 18 of the 35 studies were selected for analysis. The studies were categorized according to whether or not subjects were randomly assigned to study groups. Two reviewers independently read each study to identify the following characteristics: inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, types of interventions, main outcome variables, sample size, and statistical tests for significant differences between treatments. Outcomes had to include actual cost accounting or data on medical care utilization or work functioning.The findings of eight (80%) of the 10 clinical trials with random assignment and all eight (100%) of the studies without random assignment suggested that psychotherapy reduces total costs.Psychotherapy appears to have a beneficial impact on a variety of costs when used in the treatment of the most severe psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Much of that impact accrues from reductions in inpatient treatment and decreases in work impairment.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997WF15000003

    View details for PubMedID 9016261

  • Psychosocial aspects of breast cancer treatment. Seminars in oncology Spiegel, D. 1997; 24 (1): S1-36 S1 47

    Abstract

    Social stress, psychological distress, and psychosocial support effect the adjustment of breast cancer patients, influence their experience of and adherence to medical treatment, and may effect the course of the disease. The literature indicates that levels of distress, depression, and anxiety are substantially elevated among patients with breast cancer. These problems persist in a sizable minority of patients even years after diagnosis. Coping styles are related to adjustment and, in some studies, survival time. The nature of the relationship with physicians affects adjustment to the illness, satisfaction with treatment outcome, and adherence to medical treatment protocols, which can influence relapse and survival. In many but not all studies, serious life stress adversely affects medical outcome. Social support in general and structured psychotherapy in particular have been shown to positively affect both adjustment and survival time. Clear and open communication, expression of appropriate emotion, and collaborative planning and problem-solving enhance adjustment and improve outcome. Conversely, influences that isolate breast cancer patients from others or undermine support can have adverse medical and psychological consequences.

    View details for PubMedID 9045314

  • Memories: True or false American Psychologist Spiegel D. 1997; 52 (9): 995-996
  • Acute stress disorder symptoms among female sexual abuse survivors seeking treatment Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Koopman C, Gore-Felton C, Spiegel D. 1997; 6 (3): 65-85
  • The need for psychotherapy in the medically ill Psychoanalytic Inquiry Spiegel D, Lazar S. 1997; Supplement: 45-50
  • Trauma, dissociation, and memory Conference on Psychobiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Spiegel, D. NEW YORK ACAD SCIENCES. 1997: 225–237

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997BJ18D00019

    View details for PubMedID 9238207

  • Block should identify his goals and document his effects Advances; The Journal of Mind-Body Health Spiegel D. 1997; 13 (1): 47-49
  • Coping styles associated with psychological adjustment to advanced breast cancer HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Classen, C., Koopman, C., Angell, K., Spiegel, D. 1996; 15 (6): 434-437

    Abstract

    The aim of this study was to determine whether psychological adjustment to advanced breast cancer was positively associated with expressing emotion and adopting a fighting spirit and negatively associated with denial and fatalism. Total mood disturbance on the Profile of Mood States was used as the measure of psychological adjustment. The Courtauld Emotional Control Scale measured emotional expression, and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer measured fighting spirit, denial, and fatalism. The sample included 101 women with a diagnosis of metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. Fighting spirit and emotional expressiveness were found to be associated with better adjustment. No association was found between mood disturbance and denial or fatalism. Because this was a cross-sectional study, no conclusions regarding a causal relationship between adjustment and emotional expressiveness or adjustment and fighting spirit were possible.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996VY32100005

    View details for PubMedID 8973923

  • Dissociative responses in the immediate aftermath of the Oakland/Berkeley firestorm 1993 Meeting of the International-Society-for-Traumatic-Stress-Studies Koopman, C., Classen, C., Spiegel, D. PLENUM PUBL CORP. 1996: 521–40

    Abstract

    This study examined relationships between dissociative symptoms experienced in the immediate aftermath of the Oakland/Berkeley firestorm and contact with the fire, life events, demographic variables, and actions taken after learning about the fire. One hundred eighty-seven participants completed self-report measures about their experiences during and immediately following the fire. Dissociative symptoms were significantly related to contact with the fire, sex, and stressful life events. Also, dissociative symptoms were significantly related to engaging in certain activities, such as trying to get closer to the fire and going into blocked-off areas and crossing police barricades. These results suggest that dissociative symptoms may merit special attention in intervention focusing on the immediate aftermath of disaster.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UW92100008

    View details for PubMedID 8827653

  • Hypnotizability and traumatic experience: A diathesis-stress model of dissociative symptomatology AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Butler, L. D., Duran, R. E., Jasiukaitis, P., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 1996; 153 (7): 42-63

    Abstract

    The authors propose a diathesis-stress model to describe how pathological dissociation may arise from an interaction between innate hypnotizability and traumatic experience.To support the proposition that pathological dissociation may reflect autohypnotic process, the authors highlight clinical and research data indicating parallels between controlled hypnotic dissociative states and uncontrolled pathological dissociative symptoms and summarize evidence of hypnotizability in persons with psychiatric disorders that manifest these symptoms. The authors present this evidence by examining dissociative symptomatology in four psychological domains: perception, behavior and will, affect, and memory and identity. In addition, modern cognitive and neuropsychological models of dissociation are briefly reviewed.Several lines of evidence converge in support of the role of autohypnosis in pathological dissociation. There is considerable evidence that controlled formal hypnosis can produce a variety of dissociations of awareness and control that resemble many of the symptoms in uncontrolled pathological dissociative conditions; and it is possible to discern in dissociative pathology the features of absorption, dissociation, and suggestibility/automaticity that characterize formal hypnotic states. There is also accumulating evidence of high levels of hypnotic capacity in all groups with dissociative symptomatology that have been systematically assessed. In addition, the widespread and successful therapeutic use of hypnosis in the treatment of many dissociative symptoms and conditions (and the potential for hypnosis to induce dissociative symptomatology) also supports the assumption that hypnosis and pathological dissociation share an underlying process.High hypnotizability may be a diathesis for pathological dissociative states, particularly under conditions of acute traumatic stress.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UV12300008

    View details for PubMedID 8659641

  • Left hemisphere superiority for event-related potential effects of hypnotic obstruction NEUROPSYCHOLOGIA Jasiukaitis, P., Nouriani, B., Spiegel, D. 1996; 34 (7): 661-668

    Abstract

    Twenty-two highly hypnotizable subjects were run in a visual target detection task which compared hypnotic obstruction of the left and right visual fields over separate blocks. The visual event-related potentials (ERPs) to non-target stimuli revealed that hypnotic obstruction reduced the P200 component to stimuli in the right hemifield, but did not affect P200 for stimulation in the left hemifield. The earlier P100 and N100 were also reduced to hypnotic obstruction but not as preferentially for either hemifield, while the P300 was not significantly changed. Right visual field left hemisphere P200 reduction predicted suppression of behavioral response (button press) to hypnotically obstructed targets in both hemifields. The results are discussed in terms of Farah's model of a left hemisphere mechanism for image generation, and how highly hypnotizable subjects might use this mechanism to comply successfully with the suggestion of a hallucinated visually opaque barrier.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UQ41700005

    View details for PubMedID 8783218

  • Cancer and depression BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 1996; 168: 109-116

    Abstract

    Half of all cancer patients have a psychiatric disorder, usually an adjustment disorder with depression. Anxiety about illness, such as cancer, often leads to delay in diagnosis, which has been estimated to reduce prospects of long-term cancer survival by 10% to 20%. Although earlier studies showed that depressed individuals were at higher risk for cancer incidence, later studies have not confirmed this predictive relationship. Nonetheless, effective psychotherapeutic treatment for depression has been found to affect the course of cancer. Psychotherapy for medically ill patients results in reduced anxiety and depression, and often pain reduction. In three randomised studies, psychotherapy resulted in longer survival time for patients with breast cancer (18 months), lymphoma, and malignant melanoma. The physiological mechanisms for these findings have not yet been determined, but four fundamental possibilities for psychotherapeutic effects on physiological change include health maintenance behaviour, health-care utilisation, endocrine environment, and immune function. Thus, effective treatment of depression in cancer patients results in better patient adjustment, reduced symptoms, reduced cost of care, and may influence disease course. The treatment of depression in these patients may be considered a part of medical as well as psychiatric treatment.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UQ60700014

    View details for PubMedID 8864156

  • Psychological distress and disease course for women with breast cancer: One answer, many questions JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Spiegel, D. 1996; 88 (10): 629-631

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UK18600002

    View details for PubMedID 8627635

  • Psychosocial influences on cancer incidence and progression HARVARD REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Kato, P. M. 1996; 4 (1): 10-26

    Abstract

    The impact of psychosocial factors on the incidence and progression of cancer has become an area that demands attention. In this article recent evidence of psychosocial effects on cancer incidence and progression is reviewed in the context of past research. Psychosocial factors discussed include personality, depression, emotional expression, social support, and stress. Mechanisms that could mediate the relationship between psychosocial conditions and cancer incidence and progression are also reviewed. These include alterations in diet, exercise, and circadian cycles; variations in medical treatment received; and physiological mechanisms such as psychoendocrinologic and psychoneuroimmunologic effects. We conclude that there is a nonrandom relationship among various psychosocial factors and cancer incidence and progression that can only partially be explained by behavioral, structural, or biological factors. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UN34500002

    View details for PubMedID 9384968

  • Self-hypnotic relaxation during interventional radiological procedures: Effects on pain perception and intravenous drug use 46th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Clinical-and-Experimental-Hypnosis Lang, E. V., Joyce, J. S., Spiegel, D., Hamilton, D., Lee, K. K. SAGE SCIENCE PRESS. 1996: 106–19

    Abstract

    The authors evaluated whether self-hypnotic relaxation can reduce the need for intravenous conscious sedation during interventional radiological procedures. Sixteen patients were randomized to a test group, and 14 patients were randomized to a control group. All had patient-controlled analgesia. Test patients additionally had self-hypnotic relaxation and underwent a Hypnotic Induction Profile test. Compared to controls, test patients used less drugs (0.28 vs. 2.01 drug units; p < .01) and reported less pain (median pain rating 2 vs. 5 on a 0-10 scale; p < .01). Significantly more control patients exhibited oxygen desaturation and/or needed interruptions of their procedures for hemodynamic instability. Benefit did not correlate with hypnotizability. Self-hypnotic relaxation can reduce drug use and improve procedural safety.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UD72800002

    View details for PubMedID 8871338

  • A 25-year-old woman with hallucinations, hypersexuality, nightmares, and a rash AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Stein, S. L., Solvason, H. B., Biggart, E., Spiegel, D. 1996; 153 (4): 545-551

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UC47800015

    View details for PubMedID 8599404

  • Effects of group therapy on women with primary breast cancer 1st Annual Multidisciplinary Symposium on Breast Disease Spiegel, D., Morrow, G. R., Classen, C., Riggs, G., STOTT, P. B., MUDALIAR, N., Pierce, H. I., Flynn, P. J., Heard, L. BLACKWELL SCIENCE INC. 1996: 104–106
  • Hypnotic assessment and treatment of trauma-induced psychosis: The early psychotherapy of H. Breukink and modern views Hypnotherapie, jaargang van der Hart O, Spiegel D. 1996; 17 (4): 7-26
  • Effect of group therapy on women with primary breast cancer The Breast Journal Spiegel D, Morrow G, Classen C, Riggs G, Stott P, Mudalier N, Pierce H, Flynn P, Heard L. 1996; 2 (1): 104-106
  • ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR CANCER-PATIENTS Symposium on Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Cancer Patients Spiegel, D. SPRINGER VERLAG. 1995: 252–56

    Abstract

    Psychosocial treatments, including group, individual and family psychotherapies, are of proven efficacy, and deserve inclusion as standard components of biomedical treatment for cancer patients. Anxiety and depression are very common (and treatable) problems among cancer patients, most of whom can benefit from intervention. Psychotherapy, both group and individual, employs three fundamental approaches: emotional expression, social support, and cognitive symptom-management skills. Psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in improving quality of life. Results of studies of various psychotherapies include reduction in depression, anxiety, and pain, and improved coping skills, and, in some cases, there is evidence of extended survival time.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995RG08100009

    View details for PubMedID 7551629

  • PSYCHIATRY DISABUSED NATURE MEDICINE Spiegel, D. 1995; 1 (6): 490-491

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995RN10100002

    View details for PubMedID 7585100

  • HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CANCER NOW - SURVIVAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS Spiegel, D. 1995; 110 (3): 298-300

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995RE04300011

    View details for PubMedID 7610219

  • Commentary Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Spiegel D. 1995; 13 (1/2): 115-121
  • The pros and cons of dissociative identity (Multiple Personality) disorder Jrnl Prac Psych and Behav Hlth Spiegel D. 1995; 1 (3): 158-166
  • WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, ACUTE STRESS DISORDER MAY FOLLOW JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS Koopman, C., Classen, C., Cardena, E., Spiegel, D. 1995; 8 (1): 29-46

    Abstract

    During and immediately following a traumatic event, people may manifest a pattern of dissociative and anxiety symptoms and other reactions, referred to as Acute Stress Disorder. A review of the empirical literature on psychological reactions to trauma suggest that this pattern of symptoms has often been identified across different kinds of traumatic events. It is likely to constitute a psychological adaptation to a stressful event, limiting painful thoughts and feelings associated with the event and allowing the person to function at least minimally. Continuation of these symptoms, however, may impair the person's quality of life and disrupt social and other functioning. If symptoms last beyond a month following the traumatic event, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may ensue, continuing for months or even years after the precipitating event. Hence, it is important to be able to identify this pattern of reactions that may be manifested in reaction to trauma, so that appropriate intervention can be provided. Although it was not officially recognized in the 3rd edition Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III-R), Acute Stress Disorder is included as a separate diagnosis in the DSM-IV.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995QB90300002

    View details for PubMedID 7712057

  • Sexuality and spousal support among women with advanced breast cancer The Breast Journal Zarcone J, Smithline L, Koopman C, Kraemer H C, Spiegel D. 1995; 1 (1): 52-57
  • Dr Spiegel and colleagues reply. Letter to the editor American Journal of Pyschiatry Spiegel D, Koopman C, Freinkel A, Kraemer H: 1995; 152 (9): 1405
  • PAIN AND DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER CANCER Spiegel, D., Sands, S., Koopman, C. 1994; 74 (9): 2570-2578

    Abstract

    Although the existence of a relationship between depression and pain in patients with cancer has been known for many years, the influence of one upon the other is still poorly understood. It has been thought that depressed individuals complain of pain more because of their psychiatric illness. Evidence from two studies indicate that pain may induce clinical depression.In the first study, the authors examined both current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses among patients with cancer who had high and low pain symptoms to examine the strength of the relationship between depression and cancer pain. The sample consisted of 72 women and 24 men, with 39 women and 9 men in the high pain group, and 33 women and 15 men in the low pain group. In the second study, 35 patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were examined for pain intensity and frequency and mood disturbance.The prevalence of depressive disorders of all types was found to be significantly higher in the high pain than in the low pain group across measures, 33 versus 13% (chi-square [degrees of freedom = 1] = 5.90, P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significantly higher history of major depression in the low pain group than in the high pain group (chi-square [degrees of freedom = 1] = 3.86, P < 0.05). Also, in comparison with patients in the low pain group, patients in the high pain group were significantly more anxious and emotionally distressed. In the second study, pain intensity correlated significantly with fatigue, vigor, and total mood disturbance, and pain frequency correlated significantly with fatigue, vigor, and depression.This study confirms the high concomitant occurrence of pain and psychiatric morbidity and suggests that pain may play a causal role in producing depression.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994PP48500026

    View details for PubMedID 7923013

  • DISSOCIATED OR FABRICATED - PSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF REPRESSED MEMORY IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D., Scheflin, A. W. 1994; 42 (4): 411-432

    Abstract

    During the last decade, clinicians, courts, and researchers have been faced with exceedingly difficult questions involving the crossroads where memory, traumatic memory, dissociation, repression, childhood sexual abuse, and suggestion all meet. In one criminal case, repressed memories served as the basis for a conviction of murder. In approximately 50 civil cases, courts have ruled on the issue of whether repressed memory for childhood sexual abuse may form the basis of a suit against the alleged perpetrators. Rulings that have upheld such use underscore the importance of the reliability of memory retrieval techniques. Hypnosis and other methodologies employed in psychotherapy may be beneficial in working through memories of trauma, but they may also distort memories or alter a subject's evaluation of their veracity. Because of the reconstructive nature of memory, caution must be taken to treat each case on its own merits and avoid global statements essentially proclaiming either that repressed memory is always right or that it is always wrong.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994PH04000012

    View details for PubMedID 7960295

  • DISSOCIATIVE SYMPTOMS IN MEDIA EYEWITNESSES OF AN EXECUTION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Freinkel, A., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 1994; 151 (9): 1335-1339

    Abstract

    The first execution in California since 1976 took place recently in the San Quentin Prison gas chamber. Eighteen journalists were invited as media eyewitnesses. The authors postulated that witnessing this execution was psychologically traumatic and that dissociative and anxiety symptoms would be experienced by the journalists.To investigate the prevalence and specific nature of these symptoms, questionnaires were sent to all the journalists about a month after the execution. The questionnaire contained 17 items assessing dissociative symptoms from the authors' questionnaire of 35 highly intercorrelated acute stress items. Fifteen of 18 of the witnesses returned the questionnaire. Items were endorsed on a scale of 0 ("have not experienced") to 5 ("very often experienced") and analyzed as being dichotomously present or absent. The mean age of the respondents was 37.6 (SD = 8.6) and mean years as a journalist were 15.2 (SD = 9.0). Nine subjects were men and six were women.Journalists witnessing the execution endorsed an average of 5.0 dissociative items, ranging from "I saw, heard, or felt things that were not really there" (endorsed by no one) to "I felt estranged or detached from other people" (endorsed by 60%). This prevalence of reported dissociative symptoms is comparable to that seen among persons who endured the recent Oakland/Berkeley, Calif., firestorm.The experience of being an eyewitness to an execution was associated with the development of dissociative symptoms in several journalists.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994PE36600016

    View details for PubMedID 8067490

  • HEALTH CARING - PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS WITH CANCER American-Cancer-Society Conference on Behavioral and Psychosocial Cancer Research Spiegel, D. WILEY-LISS. 1994: 1453–57

    Abstract

    Psychosocial treatments, including group, individual, and family therapies, are of proven efficacy and deserve inclusion as standard components of biomedical treatment for patients with cancer. Four issues regarding such treatment are reviewed. The first is need. Significant anxiety and depression are common (and treatable) problems among the medically ill and represent a major aspect of the burden of illness. Even those with less severe emotional reactions need help coping with the stress of serious illness. The second is methods. Psychotherapy, both group and individual, provides valuable emotional and social support and teaches important symptom management skills. The third is outcome. Psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in improving quality of life and enhancing the ability of the medically ill to cope with their illness. Results of various psychotherapies include reducing depression and anxiety, improving coping skills, and in some cases, extending survival time. The fourth is cost offset. Appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention saves money by reducing unnecessary office visits, diagnostic tests, medical procedures, and hospital admittance.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994PC39300008

    View details for PubMedID 8062175

  • PREDICTORS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS AMONG SURVIVORS OF THE OAKLAND/BERKELEY, CALIF, FIRESTORM AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Koopman, C., Classen, C., Spiegel, D. 1994; 151 (6): 888-894

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to examine factors predicting the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms after a traumatic event, the 1991 Oakland/Berkeley firestorm. The major predictive factors of interest were dissociative, anxiety, and loss of personal autonomy symptoms reported in the immediate aftermath of the fire; contact with the fire; and life stressors before and after the fire.Subjects were recruited from several sources so that they would vary in their extent of contact with the fire. Of 187 participants who completed self-report measures about their experiences in the aftermath of the firestorm, 154 completed a follow-up assessment. Of these 154 subjects, 97% completed the follow-up questionnaires 7-9 months after the fire. The questionnaires included measures of posttraumatic stress and life events since the fire.Dissociative and loss of personal autonomy symptoms experienced in the fire's immediate aftermath, as well as stressful life experiences occurring later, significantly predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms measured 7-9 months after the firestorm by a civilian version of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Impact of Event Scale. Dissociative symptoms more strongly predicted posttraumatic symptoms than did anxiety and loss of personal autonomy symptoms. Intrusive thinking differs from other kinds of posttraumatic symptoms in being related directly to the trauma and previous stressful life events.These findings suggest that dissociative symptoms experienced in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic experience and subsequent stressful experiences are indicative of risk for the later development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Such measures may be useful as screening procedures for identifying those most likely to need clinical care to help them work through their reactions to the traumatic event and to subsequent stressful experiences.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994NN75500015

    View details for PubMedID 8184999

  • Editorial Introduction to Part 11; Clinical description in the sesquicentennial anniversary supplement American Journal of Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1994; 151 (6): 90-96
  • Editorial: Krebs und depression (Cancer and Depression) Verhaltenstherapie Spiegel D. 1994; 4: 81-88
  • Acute stress disorder and dissociation Australian Journal of Clinicial and Experimental Hypnosis Spiegel D, Koopman C, Classen C: 1994; 22 (1): 11-23
  • PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION IN CANCER .4. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Spiegel, D. 1993; 85 (15): 1198-1205

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LP66900010

    View details for PubMedID 8331680

  • PREDICTORS OF SMOKING ABSTINENCE FOLLOWING A SINGLE-SESSION RESTRUCTURING INTERVENTION WITH SELF-HYPNOSIS AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., FLEISS, J. L., Spiegel, H. 1993; 150 (7): 1090-1097

    Abstract

    This study examined the relation of smoking and medical history, social support, and hypnotizability to outcome of a smoking cessation program.A consecutive series of 226 smokers referred for the smoking cessation program were treated with a single-session habit restructuring intervention involving self-hypnosis. They were then followed up for 2 years. Total abstinence from smoking after the intervention was the criterion for successful outcome.Fifty-two percent of the study group achieved complete smoking abstinence 1 week after the intervention; 23% maintained their abstinence for 2 years. Hypnotizability and having been previously able to quit smoking for at least a month significantly predicted the initiation of abstinence. Hypnotizability and living with a significant other person predicted 2-year maintenance of treatment response.These results, while modest, are superior to those of spontaneous efforts to stop smoking. Furthermore, they suggest that it is possible to predict which patients are most likely and which are least likely to respond to such brief smoking cessation interventions.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LL39800018

    View details for PubMedID 8317582

  • HYPNOTIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF TRAUMA-INDUCED PSYCHOSES - THE EARLY PSYCHOTHERAPY OF BREUKINK,H. AND MODERN VIEWS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS VANDERHART, O., Spiegel, D. 1993; 41 (3): 191-209

    Abstract

    The role of hypnotizability assessment in the differential diagnosis of psychotic patients is still unresolved. In this article, the pioneering work of Dutch psychiatrist H. Breukink (1860-1928) during the 1920s is used as early evidence that hypnotic capacity is clinically helpful in differentiating highly hypnotizable psychotic patients with dissociative symptomatology from schizophrenics. Furthermore, there is a long tradition of employing hypnotic capacity in the treatment of these dissociative psychoses. The ways in which Breukink used hypnosis for diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment purposes are summarized and discussed in light of both old and current views. He felt that hysterical psychosis was trauma-induced, certainly curable, and that psychotherapy using hypnosis was the treatment of choice. Hypnosis was used for symptom-oriented therapy, as a comfortable and supportive mental state, and for the uncovering and integrating of traumatic memories. For the latter purpose, Breukink emphasized a calm mental state, both in hypnosis and in the waking state, thereby discouraging emotional expression, which he considered dangerous in psychotic patients. In the discussion, special attention is paid to the role and dangers of the expression of trauma-related emotions.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LG94300004

    View details for PubMedID 8335419

  • PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES OF CANCER - A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF HODGKINS-DISEASE AND TESTICULAR CANCER JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Bloom, J. R., Fobair, P., Gritz, E., Wellisch, D., Spiegel, D., Varghese, A., Hoppe, R. 1993; 11 (5): 979-988

    Abstract

    The psychosocial outcomes of testicular cancer and Hodgkin's disease were compared to test our hypotheses that more specific dysfunction and less hiding of symptoms would be found in the former group, as cancer visibly affects a sexual organ. Since those with Hodgkin's disease could more easily deny the disease, poorer psychosocial adjustment was predicted.The sample consists of 85 men with Hodgkin's disease and 88 men with testicular cancer (seminomatous, n = 39; or nonseminomatous, n = 49). They were interviewed once, at least 1 year following the end of treatment. Measures of sociodemographic characteristics, physical functioning, psychologic distress, and social outcomes were collected. Treatment data were collected from medical records.Men with testicular cancer report more focused symptoms: less sexual enjoyment and poor health habits. Men with Hodgkin's disease report more generalized symptoms: fatigue, energy loss, and work impairment. Multivariate analysis indicates that most of these differences are site-related; independent effects of treatment on outcomes were found for more generalized symptoms. Contrary to expectations, both groups reported similar levels of infertility and erectile dysfunction.The response to testicular cancer is site-specific, while the response to Hodgkin's disease is related to both site and treatment (stage-related).

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LA02600026

    View details for PubMedID 8487061

  • MACARTHUR DATA REANALYSES - EXAMPLES FROM THE 2ND-STAGE OF EMPIRICAL REVIEW HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY Davis, W., Bauer, M., Severino, S., Spiegel, D., WIDIGER, T. 1993; 44 (5): 432-434

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LA34000005

    View details for PubMedID 8509073

  • TRAUMA AND DISSOCIATION BULLETIN OF THE MENNINGER CLINIC Classen, C., Koopman, C., Spiegel, D. 1993; 57 (2): 178-194

    Abstract

    The stress associated with experiencing or witnessing physical trauma can cause abrupt and marked alterations in mental state, including anxiety and transient dissociative symptoms. Intense manifestations of this pattern of response to trauma are described in a new diagnostic category proposed for DSM-IV: acute stress disorder. Severe dissociative symptoms may predict subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder. Persons who experience a series of traumatic events may be especially vulnerable to a variety of dissociative states, including amnesia, fugue, depersonalization, and multiple personality disorder. Treatment for these symptoms emphasizes strengthening supportive interpersonal relationships and developing insight that reduces psychological pain by integrating the trauma into a meaningful, less self-blaming perspective.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LC53000004

    View details for PubMedID 8508155

  • DISSOCIATIVE REACTIONS TO THE SAN-FRANCISCO BAY AREA EARTHQUAKE OF 1989 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Cardena, E., Spiegel, D. 1993; 150 (3): 474-478

    Abstract

    This study systematically evaluated the psychological reactions of a nonclinical population to the October 1989 earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area.A representative group of about 100 graduate students from two different institutions in the Bay Area volunteered to participate in the study. Within 1 week of the earthquake, the authors administered a checklist of anxiety and dissociative symptoms to the subjects, and 4 months later they conducted a follow-up study with the same checklist.The participants reported significantly greater numbers and frequency of dissociative symptoms, including derealization and depersonalization, distortions of time, and alterations in cognition, memory and somatic sensations, during or shortly after the earthquake than after 4 months. To a lesser degree they also reported significantly more nonsomatic anxiety symptoms and Schneider's first-rank symptoms at the earlier testing time.These results suggest that among nonclinical populations, extreme distress may significantly increase the prevalence and severity of transient dissociative phenomena and anxiety. They provide further evidence of the role that dissociation plays in the response to trauma and are of considerable clinical and theoretical importance in view of the lifetime prevalence of traumatic experiences in the general population.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993KN84500016

    View details for PubMedID 8434665

  • Letter; Multiple Personality British Journal of Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1993; 162: 126
  • Psychosocial outcomes of cancer; A comparative analysis of Hodgkin's Disease and testicular cancer Journal of Clinical Oncology Bloom J R, Fobair P, Gritz E, Wellisch D, Spiegel D, Varghese A, Hoppe R. 1993; 11 (5): 979-88
  • MULTIPLE PERSONALITY BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 1993; 162: 126-126

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993KF95000027

    View details for PubMedID 8425129

  • New directions in psycho-oncology Current Opinion in Psychiatry Stein S., Hermanson K, Spiegel D: 1993; 6: 838-846
  • A CASE OF PROBABLE DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER BULLETIN OF THE MENNINGER CLINIC Jaschke, V. A., Spiegel, D. 1992; 56 (2): 246-260

    Abstract

    The case of a patient with symptoms suggestive of a dissociative disorder is presented. The consultant reviews the diagnosis of multiple personality disorder (MPD) as defined in DSM-III-R and DSM-IV in relation to the patient's dissociative states, hallucinations, memory loss, and other symptoms. He then highlights the distinctions among MPD, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, major depression, and complex partial seizures. After presenting the conceptualization of MPD as a chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, he concludes with a review of treatment approaches that address the traumatic history and that involve hypnosis to gain access to and control dissociative states.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992HV73500008

    View details for PubMedID 1352164

  • Changes in marital and sexual functioning in long-term survivors and their spouses: Testicular cancer versus Hodgkin's Disease Psyho-Oncology Hannah M T, Gritz E R, Wellisch D K, Fobair P, Hoppe R T, Bloom J R, Sun G, Varghese A, Cosgrove M D, Spiegel D. 1992; 1: 89-103
  • None of Lazarus' problems makes the difficult into the impossible. Advances Spiegel D. 1992; 8 (3): 36-37
  • Effects of psychosocial support on patients with metastatic breast cancer Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Spiegel D. 1992; 10: 113-120
  • Book review of The Threatened Medical Identity of Psychiatry: The Winds of Change by T. Pearlman New England Journal of Medicine Spiegel D. 1992; 327 (24): 1763
  • Do psychosocial factors influence the course of breast cancer? A review of recent literature, methodological problems and future directions. Psycho-Oncology Mulder C L, Van der Pompe G, Spiegel D, Antoni M H, De Vries M J. 1992; 1: 155-167
  • A neural network model of dissociative disorders. Psychiatric Annals Li D, Spiegel D. 1992; 22: 144-147
  • CONSERVING BREASTS AND RELATIONSHIPS HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Spiegel, D. 1992; 11 (6): 347-348

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992KL03300001

    View details for PubMedID 1286652

  • HYPNOTIZABILITY AND CSF HVA LEVELS AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., King, R. 1992; 31 (1): 95-98

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992GX47400008

    View details for PubMedID 1543801

  • The use of hypnosis in the treatment of PTSD. Psychiatric medicine Spiegel, D. 1992; 10 (4): 21-30

    View details for PubMedID 1289959

  • Hypnosis and related techniques in pain management. Hospice journal Spira, J. L., Spiegel, D. 1992; 8 (1-2): 89-119

    Abstract

    Hypnosis has been used successfully in treating cancer patients at all stages of disease and for degrees of pain. The experience of pain is influenced not only by physiological factors stemming from disease progression and oncological treatment, but also from psychosocial factors including social support and mood. Each of these influences must be considered in the successful treatment of pain. The successful use of hypnosis also depends upon the hypnotizability of patients, their particular cognitive style, their specific motivation, and level of cognitive functioning. While most patients can benefit from the use of hypnosis, less hypnotizable patients or patients with low cognitive functioning need to receive special consideration. The exercises described in this chapter can be successfully used in groups, individual sessions, and for hospice patients confined to bed. Both self-hypnosis and therapist guided hypnosis exercises are offered.

    View details for PubMedID 1286854

  • The use of hypnosis in the treatment of PTSD Psychiatric Medicine Spiegel D. 1992; 10 (4): 21-30
  • NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF HYPNOSIS AND DISSOCIATION JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES Spiegel, D. 1991; 3 (4): 440-445

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991GM86600016

    View details for PubMedID 1821268

  • DISINTEGRATED EXPERIENCE - THE DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS REVISITED JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY Spiegel, D., Cardena, E. 1991; 100 (3): 366-378

    Abstract

    We present proposed changes to the dissociative disorders section of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and review the concept of pathological and nonpathological dissociation, including empirical findings on the relations between trauma and dissociative phenomenology and between dissociation and hypnosis. The most important proposals include the creation of two new diagnostic entities, brief reactive dissociative disorder and transient dissociative disturbance, and the readoption of the criterion of amnesia for a multiple personality disorder diagnosis. We conclude that further work on dissociative processes will provide an important link between clinical and experimental approaches to human cognition, emotion, and personality.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991FY37600016

    View details for PubMedID 1918616

  • BANDAGING A BROKEN HEART - HYPNOPLAY THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE PERSONALITY-DISORDER - INVITED DISCUSSION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Coons, P. M., HORNSTEIN, N. L., Kluft, R. P., Miller, A., Spiegel, D. 1991; 34 (1): 11-20
  • COMMENTS ON HYPNOTIZABILITY AND DISSOCIATION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Cardena, E. 1991; 148 (6): 813-814

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991FN63900041

    View details for PubMedID 2035733

  • PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH IN ONCOLOGY 2ND WORKSHOP ON METHODOLOGY IN BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CANCER RESEARCH Redd, W. H., Silberfarb, P. M., Andersen, B. L., Andrykowski, M. A., Bovbjerg, D. H., Burish, T. G., Carpenter, P. J., Cleeland, C., Dolgin, M., Levy, S. M., MITNICK, L., Morrow, G. R., Schover, L. R., Spiegel, D., Stevens, J. WILEY-LISS. 1991: 813–22

    Abstract

    A major thrust in research in psychosocial oncology is the study of the interaction of psychologic and physiologic variables. This discussion reviews the current status and future directions of such research. Areas addressed include pain, nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy, sexuality, effects of cancer on psychologic and neuropsychologic function, impact of psychologic factors on cancer and its treatment, and psychoneuroimmunology. In addition, specific recommendations for strategies to facilitate research in these areas of psychosocial oncology are proposed.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991FL82200010

    View details for PubMedID 1986851

  • Second thoughts on personality, stress and disease Psychological Inquiry Spiegel D. 1991; 2 (3): 266-168
  • Physiologic and psychobehavioral research in oncology Cancer Redd W H, Silberfarb P M, Andersen P L, Andrykowski M A, Bovbjerg D H, Burish T G, Carpenter P J, Cleeland C, Dolgin M, Levy S L, Mitnick L, Morrow G R, Schover L R, Spiegel D, Stevens J. 1991; 67: 813-822
  • Psychosocial treatment and cancer survival Harvard Mental Health Letter Spiegel D. 1991; 7 (7): 4-6
  • A psychosocial intervention and survival time of patients with metastatic breast cancer Advances Spiegel D. 1991; 7: 10-19
  • Social supports and the social well-being of cancer survivors Advances in Medical Sociology Bloom J R, Fobair P, Spiegel D, Cox R S, Varghese A, Hoppe R. 1991; 2: 95-114
  • Invited Discussion of Bandaging a 'Broken Heart': Hypnoplay therapy in the treatment of multiple personality disorder American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Spiegel D. 1991; 34: 19-20
  • Psychosocial aspects of cancer Current Opinion in Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1991; 4: 889-897
  • Letter: Comments on hynotizability and dissociation American Journal of Psychiatry Spiegel D, Cardena E. 1991; 148: 813-814
  • Uses of hypnosis in managing medical symptoms. Psychiatric medicine Spiegel, D. 1991; 9 (4): 521-533

    View details for PubMedID 1749836

  • Mind Matters: Effects of group support on cancer patients Journal of NIH Research Spiegel D. 1991; 3: 61-62
  • Dissociating consciousness from cognition Behavioral and Brain Sciences Spiegel D. 1991; 14: 695-696
  • MINDING THE NEED FOR SPECIALISTS IN BRAIN DISEASES PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS Spiegel, D. 1990; 71 (3): 780-782

    Abstract

    A recent call for a new speciality in biologically based brain diseases is questioned on historical, empirical, and theoretical grounds. Psychiatry has oscillated between biological and psychosocial explanations for mental illness since its inception. Training in the biological basis of mental illness is and should be incorporated into psychiatric training, along with a balanced appreciation of the utility of psychotherapeutic and social intervention. Emphasis on only one aspect resurrects Cartesian dualism. Any disease, however biological in origin, is best treated by a clinician adept at multiple levels of understanding and intervention.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1990EN17900015

    View details for PubMedID 2293180

  • CAN PSYCHOTHERAPY PROLONG CANCER SURVIVAL PSYCHOSOMATICS Spiegel, D. 1990; 31 (4): 361-366

    View details for Web of Science ID A1990EC66400001

    View details for PubMedID 2247563

  • NEW APPROACHES IN THE PHARMACOTHERAPY OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER - NEW USES OF HYPNOSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER - DISCUSSION JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY Silver, J. M., Martin, Spiegel, D., Yudofsky, S. C., Hales, R. E. 1990; 51: 44-46
  • NEW USES OF HYPNOSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER 143RD ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOC Spiegel, D., Cardena, E. PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS. 1990: 39–43

    Abstract

    Hypnosis is associated with the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for two reasons: (1) the similarity between hypnotic phenomena and the symptoms of PTSD, and (2) the utility of hypnosis as a tool in treatment. Physical trauma produces a sudden discontinuity in cognitive and emotional experience that often persists after the trauma is over. This results in symptoms such as psychogenic amnesia, intrusive reliving of the event as if it were recurring, numbing of responsiveness, and hypersensitivity to stimuli. Two studies have shown that Vietnam veterans with PTSD have higher than normal hypnotizability scores on standardized tests. Likewise, a history of physical abuse in childhood has been shown to be strongly associated with dissociative symptoms later in life. Furthermore, dissociative symptoms during and soon after traumatic experience predict later PTSD. Formal hypnotic procedures are especially helpful because this population is highly hypnotizable. Hypnosis provides controlled access to memories that may otherwise be kept out of consciousness. New uses of hypnosis in the psychotherapy of PTSD victims involve coupling access to the dissociated traumatic memories with positive restructuring of those memories. Hypnosis can be used to help patients face and bear a traumatic experience by embedding it in a new context, acknowledging helplessness during the event, and yet linking that experience with remoralizing memories such as efforts at self-protection, shared affection with friends who were killed, or the ability to control the environment at other times. In this way, hypnosis can be used to provide controlled access to memories that are then placed into a broader perspective. Patients can be taught self-hypnosis techniques that allow them to work through traumatic memories and thereby reduce spontaneous unbidden intrusive recollections.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1990EF22100008

    View details for PubMedID 2211565

  • FACILITATING EMOTIONAL COPING DURING TREATMENT NATIONAL CONF ON BREAST CANCER Spiegel, D. WILEY-LISS. 1990: 1422–26

    Abstract

    Patient resources for coping with breast cancer can be enhanced by attention to cognitive, affective, psychosomatic, and social components of the illness. The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer constitutes an immediate confrontation with mortality, and sympathetic but direct examination of the patient's vulnerability and means of coping with it will reduce rather than amplify death anxiety. The development and pursuit of realistic goals influenced by the prognosis can help patients adjust constructively. Extremes of emotion are to be expected at times, but persistent depression and/or anxiety should be vigorously treated, including the use of appropriate psychoactive medication when the symptoms are primarily somatic (e.g., sleep disturbance and reductions in energy). Physical symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting can be controlled by teaching patients such techniques as self-hypnosis, biofeedback, and systemic desensitization. Finally, a feeling of social isolation is the rule, not the exception, with cancer patients. Group and family treatment can effectively counter this. Systematic studies of such treatment interventions have shown favorable results, including significant reductions in mood disturbance and pain.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1990EC77600018

    View details for PubMedID 2205373

  • INVITED DISCUSSION OF LEVITT, BAKER, AND FISH - SOME CONDITIONS OF COMPLIANCE AND RESISTANCE AMONG HYPNOTIC SUBJECTS AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS COE, W. C., Lynn, S. J., Perry, C., Spiegel, D., WEITZENHOFFER, A. M. 1990; 32 (4): 237-250
  • DISSOCIATIVE MECHANISMS IN POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER SYMP AT THE 1989 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOC - POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER : BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL ASPECTS Spiegel, D., Cardena, E. AMER PSYCHIATRIC PRESS. 1990: 22–34
  • Physical performance at work and at leisure: Validation of a measure of biological energy in survivors of Hodgkin's Disease Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Bloom J R, Gorsky R D, Fobair P, Hoppe R, Cox R S, Vwerghese A, Spiegel D. 1990; 8: 49-63
  • Dissociating Dissociation: A commentary on Dr Garcia's article Dissociation Spiegel D. 1990; 111: 214-215
  • Theoretical and empirical resistance to hypnotic compliance American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Spiegel D. 1990; 32: 243-245
  • PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR CANCER-PATIENTS LANCET Spiegel, D., Bloom, J. R., Kraemer, H., Gottheil, E. 1989; 2 (8677): 1447-1447

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989CD88100014

    View details for PubMedID 2574371

  • EFFECT OF PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT ON SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER LANCET Spiegel, D., Kraemer, H. C., Bloom, J. R., Gottheil, E. 1989; 2 (8668): 888-891

    Abstract

    The effect of psychosocial intervention on time of survival of 86 patients with metastatic breast cancer was studied prospectively. The 1 year intervention consisted of weekly supportive group therapy with self-hypnosis for pain. Both the treatment (n = 50) and control groups (n = 36) had routine oncological care. At 10 year follow-up, only 3 of the patients were alive, and death records were obtained for the other 83. Survival from time of randomisation and onset of intervention was a mean 36.6 (SD 37.6) months in the intervention group compared with 18.9 (10.8) months in the control group, a significant difference. Survival plots indicated that divergence in survival began at 20 months after entry, or 8 months after intervention ended.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989AU63500004

    View details for PubMedID 2571815

  • MODULATION OF GASTRIC-ACID SECRETION BY HYPNOSIS GASTROENTEROLOGY Klein, K. B., Spiegel, D. 1989; 96 (6): 1383-1387

    Abstract

    The ability of hypnosis to both stimulate and inhibit gastric acid secretion in highly hypnotizable healthy volunteers was examined in two studies. In the first, after basal acid secretion was measured, subjects were hypnotized and instructed to imagine all aspects of eating a series of delicious meals. Acid output rose from a basal mean of 3.60 +/- 0.48 to a mean of 6.80 +/- 0.02 mmol H+/h with hypnosis, an increase of 89% (p = 0.0007). In a second study, subjects underwent two sessions of gastric analysis in random order, once with no hypnosis and once under a hypnotic instruction to experience deep relaxation and remove their thoughts from hunger. When compared to the no-hypnosis session, with hypnosis there was a 39% reduction in basal acid output (4.29 +/- 0.93 vs. 2.60 +/- 0.44 mmol H+/h, p less than 0.05) and an 11% reduction in pentagastrin-stimulated peak acid output (28.69 +/- 2.34 vs. 25.43 +/- 2.98 mmol H+/h, p less than 0.05). We have shown that different cognitive states induced by hypnosis can promote or inhibit gastric acid production, processes clearly controlled by the central nervous system. Hypnosis offers promise as a safe and simple method for studying the mechanisms of such central control.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989U655900001

    View details for PubMedID 2714570

  • HYPNOSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA Spiegel, D. 1989; 12 (2): 295-305

    Abstract

    The relevance of hypnosis to the treatment of sexual assault derives from two sources: the fact that hypnotic phenomena are mobilized spontaneously as defenses during assault, becoming part of the syndrome of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the usefulness of formal hypnosis in treating PTSD. The role of dissociative defenses during and after traumatic experiences is reviewed; an analogy between the major elements of formally-induced hypnosis--absorption, dissociation, and suggestibility, and the major elements of PTSD--is drawn. Special problems relevant to sexual assault in childhood are discussed, including extreme self-blame and a profound sense of personality fragmentation. Uses of hypnosis in the treatment of sexual assault victims are reviewed, with an emphasis on helping such patients restructure their memories of the experience, both by reviewing them with greater control over their physical sense of comfort and safety and by balancing painful memories with recognition of their efforts to protect themselves or someone else who was endangered. The use of a split-screen technique in hypnosis is described with a clinical example. Special considerations in such treatment, including the traumatic transference and forensic complications of such psychotherapeutic work, are enumerated.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989AA82000005

    View details for PubMedID 2664731

  • HYPNOTIC ALTERATION OF SOMATOSENSORY PERCEPTION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Bierre, P., Rootenberg, J. 1989; 146 (6): 749-754

    Abstract

    Effects of hypnotic alterations of perception on amplitude of somatosensory event-related potentials were studied in 10 highly hypnotizable subjects and 10 subjects with low hypnotizability. The highly hypnotizable individuals showed significant decreases in amplitude of the P100 and P300 waveform components during a hypnotic hallucination that blocked perception of the stimulus. When hypnosis was used to intensify attention to the stimulus, there was an increase in P100 amplitude. These findings are consistent with observations that highly hypnotizable individuals can reduce or eliminate pain by using purely cognitive methods such as hypnosis. Together with data from the visual system, these results suggest a neurophysiological basis for hypnotic sensory alteration.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989U760600009

    View details for PubMedID 2729425

  • Hypnotizability and weight loss in obese subjects International Journal of Eating Disorders Barbarsz M, Spiegel D. 1989; 8: 335-341
  • Uses and abuses of hypnosis Integrative Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1989; 6: 211-222
  • Editorial: Hypnosis and the relaxation response Gastroenterology Spiegel D. 1989; 96: 1609-11
  • Commentary. The treatment accorded those who treat patients with multiple personality disorder. journal of nervous and mental disease Spiegel, D. 1988; 176 (9): 535-536

    View details for PubMedID 3418325

  • EFFECTS OF HYPNOTIC INSTRUCTIONS ON P-300 EVENT-RELATED-POTENTIAL AMPLITUDES - RESEARCH AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D., BARABASZ, A. F. 1988; 31 (1): 11-17

    View details for Web of Science ID A1988P472400002

    View details for PubMedID 3064577

  • DISSOCIATION AND HYPNOTIZABILITY IN POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Hunt, T., DONDERSHINE, H. E. 1988; 145 (3): 301-305

    Abstract

    The authors compared the hypnotizability of 65 Vietnam veteran patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to that of a normal control group and four patient samples using the Hypnotic Induction Profile. The patients with PTSD had significantly higher hypnotizability scores than patients with diagnoses of schizophrenia (N = 23); major depression, bipolar disorder--depressed, and dysthymic disorder (N = 56); and generalized anxiety disorder (N = 18) and the control sample (N = 83). This finding supports the hypothesis that dissociative phenomena are mobilized as defenses both during and after traumatic experiences. The literature suggests that spontaneous dissociation, imagery, and hypnotizability are important components of PTSD symptoms.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1988M329100004

    View details for PubMedID 3344845

  • Dissociation and hypnosis in post-traumatic stress disorders Journal of Traumatic Stress Spiegel D. 1988; 1: 17-33
  • Pain management in the cancer patient Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Spiegel D, Sands S. 1988; 6: 205-216
  • Hypnosis embodying the mind: I think therefore I am Contemporary Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1988; 7: 117-121
  • USING FAMILY CONSULTATION AS PSYCHIATRIC AFTERCARE FOR SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., WISSLER, T. 1987; 38 (10): 1096-1099

    Abstract

    The families of 14 schizophrenic patients who were recently discharged from a Veterans Administration hospital received periodic consultation in their homes from members of a clinical team. The visiting clinicians educated the families and the patients about community resources, consulted with them about interpersonal problems, and were available for crisis intervention following the last scheduled visit. Three months and one year after their discharge, the patients were compared on various measures of outcome with a control group of 22 similar patients whose families did not receive periodic consultation. At the three-month follow-up, patients whose families received consultation had spent significantly fewer days in the hospital than had the control patients, but the difference was not significant at one-year follow-up. They also rated themselves significantly higher on the Vets Adjustment Scale at both the three-month and one-year follow-ups. The authors interpret the results in light of other studies of after-care interventions.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987K244700013

    View details for PubMedID 2822566

  • THE HYPNOTIC INDUCTION PROFILE AND ABSORPTION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Spiegel, D., TRENTALANGE, M. J., Spiegel, H. 1987; 30 (2): 87-93

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987K588400002

    View details for PubMedID 3687817

  • CHRONIC PAIN MASKS DEPRESSION, MULTIPLE PERSONALITY-DISORDER HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY Frances, A., Spiegel, D. 1987; 38 (9): 933-935

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987J790500003

    View details for PubMedID 3679099

  • Seeing through social influence: Hypnotic hallucinations are opaque Behavioral and Brain Sciences Spiegel D. 1987; 10: 775-776
  • Chronic pain masks depression, multiple personality disorder Hospital and Community Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1987: 933-935
  • The healing trance The Sciences Spiegel D. 1987: 35-41
  • CEPHALIC PHASE OF ACID-SECRETION GASTROENTEROLOGY Klein, K. B., Spiegel, D. 1986; 91 (6): 1581-1581

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986E808100038

    View details for PubMedID 3770382

  • DISSOCIATING DAMAGE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 1986; 29 (2): 123-131

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986E383200008

    View details for PubMedID 3535482

  • PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS AMONG SURVIVORS OF HODGKINS-DISEASE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Fobair, P., Hoppe, R. T., Bloom, J., Cox, R., Varghese, A., Spiegel, D. 1986; 4 (5): 805-814

    Abstract

    The psychosocial problems that develop in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's disease were examined in a cross-sectional survey of 403 patients. The average age at treatment was 27 years and at interview was 36 years. The median time since treatment was 9 years. Sixty percent of the patients were treated for stage I or II disease and 40% for stage III or IV. Eighty-two percent of the patients had never relapsed, and 98% were free of disease at the time of interview. The study investigated the type and frequency of problems by means of a self-administered questionnaire using standard survey items to assess disruption in three areas of life: sense of well-being, family relationships, and employment. Results indicate that energy had not returned to patients' satisfaction in 37% of the cases. This was influenced by age, time since therapy, stage of disease, and type of treatment. Patients with self-reported energy loss were more likely to be depressed. Moderately high divorce rates (32%), problems with infertility (18%), and less interest in sexual activity (20%) were reported. Employment patterns favored men returning to work, and number of hours worked was highly correlated with less depression, younger age, and return of energy. Difficulties at work were reported by 42% of the cases. The interaction of treatment, biologic, psychosocial, and functional variables is described.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986C177800026

    View details for PubMedID 3486256

  • ADJUNCTIVE USES OF HYPNOSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF SMOKING PSYCHIATRIC ANNALS FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Spiegel, D. 1986; 16 (2): 87-90
  • Nonpharmacological Management of Pain Mediguide to Inflammatory Diseases Spiegel D. 1986; 5: 1-5
  • FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AS A PREDICTOR OF PSYCHIATRIC REHOSPITALIZATION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., WISSLER, T. 1986; 143 (1): 56-60

    Abstract

    The Family Environment Scale scores and demographic characteristics of 108 discharged psychiatric patients were used to predict outcome at 3 months and 1 year. Higher ratings of family expressiveness predicted fewer days of rehospitalization, especially among schizophrenic patients. Higher family cohesion scores predicted better family-rated patient adjustment. The patients were more likely to rate themselves as better adjusted if they had higher incomes, lived with parents rather than a spouse, and came from families with less emphasis on independence. Family environment was a better predictor of rehospitalization than baseline ratings of clinical status, indicating the importance of family support in the community adjustment of chronic psychiatric patients.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986AXS5800010

    View details for PubMedID 3942288

  • Adjunctive uses of hypnosis in the treatment of smoking Psychiatric Annals Frischholz E J, Spiegel D. 1986; 16: 87-90
  • Painstaking reminders of forgotten trance logic Behavioral and Brain Sciences Spiegel D. 1986; 9: 484-485
  • HYPNOTIC HALLUCINATION ALTERS EVOKED-POTENTIALS JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY Spiegel, D., CUTCOMB, S., Ren, C., Pribram, K. 1985; 94 (3): 249-255

    View details for Web of Science ID A1985ANY5600002

    View details for PubMedID 4031221

  • THE USE OF HYPNOSIS IN CONTROLLING CANCER PAIN CA-A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS Spiegel, D. 1985; 35 (4): 221-231

    View details for Web of Science ID A1985ANC6500004

    View details for PubMedID 3926258

  • Scientific status of refreshing recollection by the use of hypnosis. Journal of the American Medical Association Orne M T, Axelrad D, Diamond B L, Gravitz M A, Heller A, Mutter C B, Spiegel D, Spiegel H. 1985; 253: 1918-1923
  • Psychosocial interventions with cancer patients Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Spiegel D. 1985; 3: 83-95
  • Trance, Trauma & Testimony The Stanford Magazine Spiegel D 1985; 13: 40-44
  • SPONTANEOUS HYPNOTIC AGE REGRESSION - CASE-REPORT JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Rosenfeld, A. 1984; 45 (12): 522-524

    Abstract

    Age regression--reliving the past as though it were occurring in the present, with age appropriate vocabulary, mental content, and affect--can occur with instruction in highly hypnotizable individuals, but has rarely been reported to occur spontaneously, especially as a primary symptom. The psychiatric presentation and treatment of a 16-year-old girl with spontaneous age regressions accessible and controllable with hypnosis and psychotherapy are described. Areas of overlap and divergence between this patient's symptoms and those found in patients with hysterical fugue and multiple personality syndrome are also discussed.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1984TX68700009

    View details for PubMedID 6501240

  • MULTIPLE PERSONALITY AS A POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA Spiegel, D. 1984; 7 (1): 101-110

    Abstract

    This article examines multiple or dissociative personality syndrome as a multiple post-traumatic stress disorder, discussing these patient's developmental histories, their high hypnotizability, and their profound capacity to dissociate spontaneously to protect themselves from emotional and physical pain.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1984SM12200009

    View details for PubMedID 6718261

  • THE RELATIONSHIP OF 2 DIMENSIONS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING OF WOMEN WITH ADVANCED BREAST-CANCER SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE Bloom, J. R., Spiegel, D. 1984; 19 (8): 831-837

    Abstract

    Of interest to the field is the mechanism through which social support acts as a resistance resource for individuals undergoing stressful life circumstances. Women with advanced breast cancer (N = 86) were interviewed to determine how their outlook on life and social functioning were affected by the social support they received. Emotional support provided by the family was predicted to affect the woman's sense of well-being whereas the opportunities for social exchange provided by one's social activities were expected to effect the woman's social functioning. Consistent with the predictions, the data indicate that social support is multidimensional. Emotional support was strongly related to one's outlook. However, one's opportunities for social exchange affect not only one's social functioning, but also one's outlook on life, suggesting an interactive process whereby family support improves outlook, both outlook and opportunities for social exchange are related to one's sense of social functioning. These data explain the erosion of social support during life-threatening illness such as cancer as a result of the limitations imposed by the illness on one's opportunities for social exchange.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1984TS31700009

    View details for PubMedID 6505749

  • HYPNOSIS WITH MEDICAL-SURGICAL PATIENTS GENERAL HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 1983; 5 (4): 265-277

    Abstract

    The role of hypnosis as a tool in the treatment of problems commonly encountered among medical and surgical patients is examined. Hypnosis is defined as a change in state of mind far more akin to intense concentration than sleep. Diagnostic implications of differences in hypnotic responsivity are explored, and scales suitable for use in the clinic are examined. Uses of hypnosis in treating anxiety, pain, childbirth, psychosomatic symptoms, seizure disorders, neuromuscular dysfunction, and habits are described and evaluated. The phenomenon of hypnosis is presented as a means of exploring the mind-body relationship in a controlled fashion, providing information of diagnostic importance while at the same time allowing hypnotizable patients to intensify their concentration and interpersonal receptivity in the service of a therapeutic goal.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983RU95100006

    View details for PubMedID 6662357

  • EFFECTS OF GROUP CONFRONTATION WITH DEATH AND DYING INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY Spiegel, D., GLAFKIDES, M. C. 1983; 33 (4): 433-447

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983RR17600002

    View details for PubMedID 6642804

  • NALOXONE FAILS TO REVERSE HYPNOTIC ALLEVIATION OF CHRONIC PAIN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY Spiegel, D., ALBERT, L. H. 1983; 81 (2): 140-143

    Abstract

    The hypothesis that the alleviation of chronic pain with hypnosis is mediated by endorphins was tested. Six patients with chronic pain secondary to peripheral nerve irritation were taught to control the pain utilizing self-hypnosis. Each subject was tested at 5-min intervals during four 1-h sessions for the amount of reduction of pain sensation and suffering associated with hypnosis while being given, in a random double-blind crossover fashion, an IV injection of either 10 mg naloxone or a saline placebo through an indwelling catheter. The patients demonstrated significant alleviation of the pain with hypnosis, but this effect was not significantly diminished in the naloxone condition. These findings contradict the hypothesis that endorphins are involved in hypnotic analgesia.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983RK80300010

    View details for PubMedID 6415744

  • Family environment of patients with metastatic carcinoma. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Spiegel D, Bloom J R, Gottheil E. 1983; 1: 33-44
  • GROUP-THERAPY AND HYPNOSIS REDUCE METASTATIC BREAST-CARCINOMA PAIN PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE Spiegel, D., Bloom, J. R. 1983; 45 (4): 333-339

    Abstract

    The pain and mood disturbance of 54 women with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were studied over the course of one year. A random sample was offered weekly group therapy during the year, with or without self-hypnosis training directed toward enhancing their competence at mastering pain and stress related to cancer. Both treatment groups demonstrated significantly less self-rated pain sensation (t = 2.5 p less than 0.02) and suffering (t = 2.17, p less than 0.03) than the control sample. Those who were offered the self-hypnosis training as well as group therapy fared best in controlling the pain sensation (F = 3.1, p less than 0.05). Pain frequency and duration were not affected. Changes in pain measures were significantly correlated with changes in self-rated total mood disturbance on the Profile of Mood States and with its anxiety, depression, and fatigue subscales. Possible mechanisms for the effectiveness of these interventions are discussed.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983RD87400005

    View details for PubMedID 6622622

  • PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS AND THEIR WIVES FAMILY PROCESS Spiegel, D., WISSLER, T. 1983; 22 (4): 537-547

    Abstract

    This study compared the perceived family environments of former psychiatric inpatients with thought, affective, and substance abuse disorders to those of normative comparison couples using the Family Environment Scale. Family environment was assessed among patients and wives separately at hospital discharge and at three- and twelve-month follow-ups. Patients and their wives were consistently more incongruent in their perceptions of their shared environment than normative couples. In addition, low-functioning patient couples reported less family cohesion, expressiveness, and recreational emphasis than their higher functioning counterparts; the high-functioning patient couples more closely resembled the norm. The paper discusses possible relationships between positive family contact and better patient functioning.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983RX98300011

    View details for PubMedID 6677524

  • Hypnosis is not therapy Bulletin of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis Frischholz E J, Spiegel D. 1983; 6: 3-8
  • Hypnosis: How you can use it to help patients stop smoking Your Patient and Cancer Spiegel D. 1983; 3: 72-84
  • PAIN IN METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER CANCER Spiegel, D., Bloom, J. R. 1983; 52 (2): 341-345

    Abstract

    The pain experiences of 86 women with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were systematically evaluated over a period of one year. Fifty-six percent of the sample reported experiencing pain, and the intensity of pain was not significantly related to site of metastasis. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 50% of the variance in the pain experience was accounted for by: (1) the amount of mood disturbance as measured by the Profile of Mood States (POMS); (2) the patients' belief that the pain indicated worsening of the illness; and (3) the use of analgesic medication. The nature of family support, social functioning, and coping responses were not significantly associated with pain intensity, nor was mortality during the one-year follow-up period. These data document the significance of psychological factors in accounting for differences in pain experience and document the interaction between pain and mood disturbance. These findings suggest that treatment of metastatic pain should include attention to the patient's mood and adjustment to the illness.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983QW70300026

    View details for PubMedID 6861077

  • HYPNOSIS WITH PSYCHOTIC-PATIENTS - COMMENT AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 1983; 25 (4): 289-294

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983SE31300014

    View details for PubMedID 6673591

  • COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF HYPNOTIC BEHAVIORAL-TRAINING AND SLEEP TRANCE HYPNOTIC INDUCTION - COMMENT ON KATZ JOURNAL OF CONSULTING AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Blumstein, R., Spiegel, D. 1982; 50 (5): 766-769

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982PJ48600018

    View details for PubMedID 7142550

  • RELAXATION TRAINING AND MEMORY IMPROVEMENT IN ELDERLY NORMALS - CORRELATION OF ANXIETY RATINGS AND RECALL IMPROVEMENT EXPERIMENTAL AGING RESEARCH Yesavage, J. A., Rose, T. L., Spiegel, D. 1982; 8 (3-4): 195-198

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982PR75100012

    View details for PubMedID 6762966

  • HILGARD ILLUSION ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Tryon, W. W., FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Spiegel, H. 1982; 39 (8): 972-974

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982PE49500011

    View details for PubMedID 7103686

  • HYPNOTIZABILITY AND PSYCHO-PATHOLOGY AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Detrick, D., FRISCHHOLZ, E. 1982; 139 (4): 431-437

    Abstract

    The authors compared the hypnotic responsivity of 115 chronically ill psychiatric patients with that of 83 nonpatient volunteers. The Hypnotic Induction Profile was administered to all subjects, and diagnoses were established for the patients according to Research Diagnostic Criteria. All of the diagnosed patients (those with thought disorder, affective disorder, generalized anxiety, and miscellaneous disorders) were significantly less hypnotizable than the nonpatient comparison group. This effect was unrelated to age or medication differences. The authors discuss the implication of these findings in relation to a new model of hypnotic responsivity that takes into account the moderating effects of severe psychopathology.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982NH46300004

    View details for PubMedID 7065288

  • DIFFERENTIAL HYPNOTIC RESPONSIVITY OF SMOKERS, PHOBICS, AND CHRONIC-PAIN CONTROL PATIENTS - A FAILURE TO CONFIRM JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Spiegel, D., Spiegel, H., Balma, D. L., Markell, C. S. 1982; 91 (4): 269-272

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982PA70500006

    View details for PubMedID 7130522

  • Hypnosis in the treatment of psychosomatic symptoms and pain. Psychiatric Annals Spiegel D. 1981; 11: 343-349
  • HYPNOTIC RESPONSIVITY AND THE TREATMENT OF FLYING PHOBIA AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D., MARUFFI, B., FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Spiegel, H. 1981; 23 (4): 239-247

    View details for Web of Science ID A1981ME54800003

    View details for PubMedID 7282575

  • Hypnosis and the unhypnotizable: A reply to Barber. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Frischolz E J, Spiegel H, Spiegel D. 1981; 24: 55-58
  • HYPNOSIS AND THE UNHYPNOTIZABLE - A REPLY TO BARBER AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS FRISCHHOLZ, E. J., Spiegel, H., Spiegel, D. 1981; 24 (1): 55-58

    View details for Web of Science ID A1981MR40200009

    View details for PubMedID 7315760

  • GROUP SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC CANCER ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Bloom, J. R., YALOM, I. 1981; 38 (5): 527-533

    Abstract

    The effects of weekly supportive group meetings for women with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were systematically evaluated in a one-year, randomized, prospective outcome study. The groups focused on the problems of terminal illness, including improving relationships with family, friends, and physicians and living as fully as possible in the face of death. We hypothesized that this invention would lead to improved mood, coping strategies, and self-esteem among those in the treatment group. Eighty-six patients were tested at four-month intervals. The treatment group had significantly lower mood-disturbance scores on the Profile of Mood States scale, had fewer maladaptive coping responses, and were less phobic than the control group. This study provides objective evidence that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit. Mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1981LR49100004

    View details for PubMedID 7235853

  • Vietnam grief work using hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Spiegel D. 1981; 24: 33-40
  • MAN AS TIMEKEEPER AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS Spiegel, D. 1981; 41 (1): 5-14

    View details for Web of Science ID A1981MF34800001

    View details for PubMedID 7282976

  • VIETNAM GRIEF WORK USING HYPNOSIS AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 1981; 24 (1): 33-40

    View details for Web of Science ID A1981MR40200006

    View details for PubMedID 7315757

  • THE TREATMENT OF CONTRACTURES OF THE HAND USING SELF-HYPNOSIS JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME Spiegel, D., Chase, R. A. 1980; 5 (5): 428-432

    Abstract

    The successful treatment of a man with severe posttraumatic contractures of the hand using a combined psychological and physical rehabilitation approach is reported. The contractures had functional and organic components, as did the treatment, which involved teaching the patient self-hypnosis exercises and the use of a splint. The patient obtained virtually complete return of movement after 3 1/2 years of total disability. The importance of identifying and mobilizing rather than challenging the patient's motivation for recovery using a rehabilitation approach is discussed. Hypnosis can facilitate recovery in such psychosomatic disorders in patients with the requisite hypnotic capacity and motivation.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1980KH98900003

    View details for PubMedID 7430579

  • The recent literature: Sel-help and mutual support groups. Community Health Review Spiegel D. 1980; 5: 15-25
  • HYPNOTIZABILITY AND PSYCHOACTIVE MEDICATION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Spiegel, D. 1980; 22 (4): 217-222

    View details for Web of Science ID A1980KN01100005

    View details for PubMedID 7424799

  • HYPNOSIS IN PSYCHOSOMATIC-MEDICINE PSYCHOSOMATICS Spiegel, D., Spiegel, H. 1980; 21 (1): 35-?

    View details for Web of Science ID A1980JB89900005

    View details for PubMedID 7360854

  • RELATION BETWEEN THE HYPNOTIC INDUCTION PROFILE AND THE STANFORD HYPNOTIC-SUSCEPTIBILITY SCALES, FORM-A AND FORM-C INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS ORNE, M. T., HILGARD, E. R., Spiegel, H., Spiegel, D., Crawford, H. J., EVANS, F. J., ORNE, E. C., FRISCHHOLZ, E. J. 1979; 27 (2): 85-102

    View details for Web of Science ID A1979HD38700003

    View details for PubMedID 541133

  • PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR WOMEN WITH METASTATIC CARCINOMA PSYCHOSOMATICS Spiegel, D. 1979; 20 (11): 780-?

    View details for Web of Science ID A1979HU36600007

    View details for PubMedID 523596

  • HYSTERICAL PSYCHOSIS AND HYPNOTIZABILITY AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D., Fink, R. 1979; 136 (6): 777-781

    Abstract

    The very existence of hysterical psychosis as a diagnostic entity has been questioned as part of the general difficulty in defining both hysteria and psychosis. However, several recent investigations have documented a syndrome that usually involves brief and intense periods of psychotic behavior, generally with graphic decompensation, severe environmental stress, and rapid recompensation, in individuals with other hysterical features. The authors assert that such a syndrome does exist as a clinical entity and that the differential diagnosis can be facilitated by using a standardized measure of hypnotic trance capacity. They hypothesize that patients with hysterical psychosis are highly hypnotizable, while those who are schizophrenic and psychotic have low hypnotizability. The authors review the literature and present two case examples.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1979GY06700005

    View details for PubMedID 443460

  • SUPPORT GROUP FOR DYING PATIENTS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY Spiegel, D., YALOM, I. D. 1978; 28 (2): 233-245

    View details for Web of Science ID A1978EV67100007

    View details for PubMedID 631956

  • PSYCHIATRIST AS A CONSULTANT TO SELF-HELP GROUPS HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY Spiegel, D. 1977; 28 (10): 771-772

    View details for Web of Science ID A1977DW03100011

    View details for PubMedID 903086

  • TRAINING VERSUS TREATING PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENT AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY Spiegel, D., Grunebaum, H. 1977; 31 (4): 618-625

    Abstract

    The importance of the distinction between supervision and psychotherapy is examined, utilizing experience in several residency training programs and theoretical literature. The tendency to confound personal and professional issues in supervision is examined in the light of institutional pressures for control of psychotherapists in training.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1977EC46500012

    View details for PubMedID 596493

  • The psychiatrist as a consultant to self-help groups. Hospital and Community Psychiatry Spiegel D. 1977; 28: 711-712
  • Psychiatric consultation to a legal services agency. Psychiatric Opinion Spiegel D, Naparstek B. 1974; 11: 25-30
  • Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) Estimation of Regional Cutaneous Thermal Sensitivity During Waking State, Neutral Hypnosis, and Temperature Specific Suggestions. The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Conversa, G. n., Facco, E. n., Leoni, M. L., Buonocore, M. n., Bagnasco, R. n., Angelini, L. n., Demartini, L. n., Spiegel, D. n. ; 67 (3): 364–81

    Abstract

    This study aimed to determine the effects of neutral hypnosis and hypnotic temperature suggestions in thermal and pain thresholds compared to resting state. Sixteen healthy medium or high hypnotizable volunteers were enrolled. Hypnotizability was assessed with the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP); QST was checked in resting state, in neutral hypnosis, after suggestions of heat and cold, and after deinduction. A significant increase in heat threshold was recorded during hypnosis with both cold and heat suggestions compared to neutral hypnosis. HIP induction score showed a linear correlation with changes of temperature thresholds after heat and cold suggestions. Thermal suggestions may result in a significant increase of heat perception thresholds with respect to neutral hypnosis. HIP score is related to thermal threshold changes. QST is a valuable and manageable tool to measure temperature threshold change during hypnosis.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00207144.2019.1613864

    View details for PubMedID 31251711