Symptom Management

Quality of health, quality of life

There is so much more to treating a patient than simply managing the primary effects of an illness. Many diseases and conditions have associated symptoms which can diminish a person’s quality of life, such as chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, or depression. Sometimes these symptoms are treatment-related, such as the pain, nausea, or cognitive impairment that can occur in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

From biology to behavior, medicine to mindfulness, Regenstrief looks at ways to reduce and manage adverse symptoms and improve the lives of those with long or short-term illnesses.

Projects

Identifying communicative factors affecting opioid management for chronic pain

Bisphosphonate drug holidays: Factors influencing timing, duration, re-initiation of therapy and attitudes

PROMIS

SymTrak

Related News & Stories

Study finds opioid pain medications very infrequently prescribed to NFL players

INDIANAPOLIS – Due to the physical contact nature of their occupation, the elite athletes of the National Football League (NFL) often experience pain. However, an analysis of...

Dr. Johns: Mindfulness a promising intervention for adults with advanced cancers

Quality of health, quality of life There is so much more to treating a patient than simply managing the primary effects of an illness. Many diseases…

Addressing barriers to advance care planning by adults with advanced cancers

INDIANAPOLIS – In one of the first studies to test the utility of mindfulness to support advance care planning by adult cancer patients and their family...

Dr. Kroenke: Why should traumatic brain injury be a chronic condition?

Quality of health, quality of life There is so much more to treating a patient than simply managing the primary effects of an illness. Many diseases…

Recognizing traumatic brain injury as a chronic condition fosters better care over the survivor’s lifetime

INDIANAPOLIS – A commentary published in the Journal of Neurotrauma calls for traumatic brain injury to be recognized as a chronic condition as are diabetes, asthma,...

Regenstrief researcher honored at Indiana CTSI annual event

Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Kurt Kroenke, M.D., was honored during the 2024 Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) Annual Meeting on Friday, September 20, 2024. ...

Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain: The LAMP Randomized Clinical Trial

Published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Here is a link to the article. Regenstrief Institute author: Marianne S. Matthias, PhD Abstract Importance: Although mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are evidence-based...

New study examines use of opioids for chronic cough

Cough is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care Chronic cough, with symptoms lasting more than eight weeks, affects approximately one in 10...

Dr. Matthias: Helping patients advocate for better pain care

Quality of health, quality of life There is so much more to treating a patient than simply managing the primary effects of an illness. Many diseases…

Dr. Kroenke discusses co-occurring mental, physical symptoms

Quality of health, quality of life There is so much more to treating a patient than simply managing the primary effects of an illness. Many diseases…

Symptoms of the body and the mind are frequent fellow travelers

JAMA Network Open commentary focuses on the relationship of pain, depression and anxiety Chronic pain is often accompanied by depression and anxiety. In an invited commentary...

Dr. Kurt Kroenke on support for clinicians in high-stress fields

Quality of health, quality of life There is so much more to treating a patient than simply managing the primary effects of an illness. Many diseases…

Study provides evidence that peer-support groups can be beneficial in reducing healthcare worker stress and burnout

Historically, this population has had low uptake of mental health resources Serving on the front lines in the arduous battle against the coronavirus, emergency department (ED)...

Study assesses prevalence, severity, co-occurrence of common symptoms undertreated in cancer patients

Researchers also survey association of symptoms with various cancer types and patient characteristics Managing symptoms improves quality of life. Sleep disturbance, pain, physical function impairment, anxiety,...

Study identifies four distinct pain trajectories in nursing home residents

New understanding of pain over time may alter care and improve quality of life Despite awareness that pain is common in nursing home residents, there has...

Dr. Kurt Kroenke discusses encouraging findings for patients on opiates

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Dr. Matthew Bair talks about nonpharmacologic treatments for low back pain

Dr. Matthew Bair discusses his study comparing medication management with nonpharmacologic approaches for low back pain.

Study one of first to compare pain relief options for chronic low back pain patients already on opioids

To help patients manage chronic, often debilitating pain, physicians frequently prescribe medications as first line therapy, although treatment guidelines often call for non-pharmacologic approaches. One of...

Dr. Shelley Johns on breast cancer survivor-supporting study

Regenstrief research scientist, Shelley Johns, PsyD, discusses the FACing FEAR study, which assists breast cancer survivors with fear of recurrence.

Screening tools co-developed by Regenstrief Institute research scientist help clinicians assess and treat vexing symptoms

Widely used scales measure pain, depression, anxiety, suicide risk, cancer fatigue and now symptoms associated with a common dental disorder A recent study from Indiana University...

COOPERATE: Regenstrief and VA Research Scientists addressing health disparity at the patient level

One of first studies focused on empowering Black veterans who have chronic back and other musculoskeletal pain Black patients have historically faced disparities in pain treatment,...

How older adults and their caregivers view pain, depression and other patient symptoms

Patients and proxies more likely to agree on the physical than the psychological Adults, especially older adults, may be in pain or depressed but not able...

Depression detection has never been more important: PHQ-9 enables clinicians and patients to track and address depression with combined physical and emotional symptoms score

Large, international study shows free, clinical measurement tool definitively indicates presence and severity of the disorder The COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, economic dislocations and other concerns...