Anxiety, Stress & Prolonged Grief Program Research | NYU Langone Health

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Department of Psychiatry Research Anxiety, Stress & Prolonged Grief Program Research

Anxiety, Stress & Prolonged Grief Program Research

Researchers in the Anxiety, Stress, and Prolonged Grief Program in NYU Langone’s Department of Psychiatry study a variety of anxiety- and grief-related conditions and seek to better understand their key characteristics and improve outcomes.

Under the leadership of Naomi M. Simon, MD, we focus our research on the optimization of treatment outcomes. This includes the development of new treatments, as well as better understanding the presentation and biological impact of trauma, loss, and anxiety disorders.

We conduct clinical and translational research on panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and prolonged grief disorder.

Clinical Studies for Anxiety Disorders

The following anxiety disorder studies are currently enrolling patients.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Stress Education Mechanisms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this research study is to understand how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) compares to a stress education (SE) class in the brain of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). After medical and psychiatric evaluations are completed, eligible participants are randomly assigned (that is, by chance) to one of two treatment regimens which will last approximately eight weeks: MBSR or SE. Full participation includes several study visits as well as fMRI neuroimaging scans before and after treatment. Eligible participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

Key Eligibility Criteria: Right-handed adults ages 18-50 who have generalized anxiety disorder.

For more information about this study, please contact Leo Almada-Makebish, research coordinator, at 646-754-7035 or Leo.Almada-Makebish@nyulangone.org.

Optimizing Exercise for the Treatment of Anxiety

The purpose of this research study is to learn about the effects of different exercise regimens on anxiety and exercise engagement and adherence. If you are eligible for this study, you will complete a two-month exercise intervention and two follow-up assessments (total duration five to six months). The exercise intervention will either include low-intensity exercise only or a titration program in which you will start at low-intensity exercise and work your way up to high-intensity exercise. We also provide treatment referrals.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 65 who have generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or panic disorder who are currently sedentary.

Your information will remain private, and you will receive compensation for your time.

For more information about this study, please contact Giselle Cornejo, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or Giselle.Cornejo@NYULangone.org.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Biological Signature of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive part of cannabis, is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD), and to better understand how CBD might improve SAD symptoms. After medical and psychiatric evaluations are completed, eligible participants are randomly assigned (that is, by chance) to one of two treatment regimens which will last approximately three weeks: CBD or placebo. The study will last about one to two months and full participation includes six study visits, fMRI neuroimaging scans, a public speaking exercise, and blood tests. Eligible participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

Key eligibility criteria: Right-handed adults ages 18-45 who have social anxiety disorder.

For more information about this study, please contact Haley Ward, research coordinator, at 646-754-4507 or Haley.Ward@nyulangone.org.

Experimental Studies for Anxiety Disorders

The Role of Exercise in the Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in Adults with High Anxiety Sensitivity

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in extinction learning measured by skin conductance and heart rate following exercise or sitting in adults with high anxiety sensitivity and anxiety disorders. If you are eligible for this study after one in-person screening, you will complete a three-day emotional learning experiment. You will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to either exercise at moderate intensity or sit for 20 minutes after the emotional learning experiment on day two. This is a research study, not a treatment study.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 60 who have generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or panic disorder.

Your information will remain private and you will receive compensation for your time.

For more information about this study, please contact Giselle Cornejo, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or Giselle.Cornejo@NYULangone.org.

Natural Language Processing As a Tool to Detect Anxiety and Depression

The purpose of this study is to develop a way to identify signs of depression and anxiety in people using a computer algorithm. The algorithm will examine data, including anonymized interview transcripts to determine if someone displays symptoms of depression and anxiety. An in-person screening is required to confirm you are qualified to take part in the study. The screening visit will last about three hours. If you qualify, you will need to complete an interview and a series of computer tasks.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 65 who have generalized anxiety disorder, and/or major depressive disorder.

Research Funding

Our studies are funded by government agencies and not-for-profit research institutes.

Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute

Comparative Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Pharmacotherapy for Anxiety.

National Institutes of Health

Optimizing Exercise for the Treatment of Anxiety (principal investigator: Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD)

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Stress Education Mechanisms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (principal investigators: Naomi M. Simon, MD and Candace M. Raio, PhD)

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Biological Signature of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (principal investigators: Naomi M. Simon, MD, and Esther Blessing, MD, PhD)

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Role of Exercise in the Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in Adults with High Anxiety Sensitivity (principal investigator: Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD)

Research Training

Postdoctoral fellows and resident psychiatrists have opportunities to conduct research with our faculty in anxiety and complex grief.

Program Researchers

Our program researchers are experts in the field of anxiety, stress, and grief. We conduct research on the phenomenology, comorbidity, biological correlates, and treatment of anxiety disorders, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as exercise interventions for mental health.

Naomi M. Simon, MD

Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD

Matteo Malgaroli, PhD

Michele Santacatterina, PhD

Safina Skaf, MS, PMHNP-BC
646-754-4797
Safina.Skaf@nyulangone.org

Molly Schadegg, PhD
646-754-4895
Molly.Schadegg@nyulangone.org

Research Staff

Jin Yan
Program Coordinator
Jin.Yan@nyulangone.org
646-754-4779

Leo Almada-Makebish
Research Data Associate
Leo.Almada-Makebish@nyulangone.org
646-754-7035

Giselle Cornejo
Research Data Associate
Giselle.Cornejo@NYULangone.org
646-754-4773

Matthew Irwin
Research Data Associate
Matthew.Irwin@nyulangone.org
212-404-3478

Haley Ward
Research Data Associate
Haley.Ward@nyulangone.org
646-754-4507

Jiyu Kim, PhD
Assistant Research Scientist
Jiyu.Kim@nyulangone.org

Research Volunteers

Emma Grueskin
Emma.Grueskin@nyulangone.org

Mary McAllister
Mary.McAllister@nyulangone.org

Hanna Usdan
Hannah.Usdan@nyulangone.org

Contact Us

If you have questions about our research program, you can reach us at 888-449-6779 (888-44-WORRY) or at anxietystudy@nyulangone.org. For more information about research opportunities such as postdoctoral fellowships, research coordinator, or volunteering with our group, please email Jin Yan, program coordinator, at Jin.Yan@NYULangone.org.

We begin recruiting for research coordinator positions in January each year to begin the following June.

Recent Publications

Our faculty regularly publish on anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and complicated grief in peer-reviewed journals. Here is a selection of our recent publications.

Impact of PTSD treatment on postconcussive symptoms in veterans: A comparison of sertraline, prolonged exposure, and their combination

Porter, Katherine E; Stein, Murray B; Grau, Peter P; Kim, H Myra; Powell, Corey; Hoge, Charles W; Venners, Margaret R; Smith, Erin R; Martis, Brian; Simon, Naomi M; Liberzon, Israel; Rauch, Sheila A M; ,

Journal of psychiatric research. 2024 Mar 08; 173:64-70

Linguistic markers of anxiety and depression in Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Observational study of a digital intervention

Malgaroli, Matteo; Hull, Thomas D; Calderon, Adam; Simon, Naomi M

Journal of affective disorders. 2024 Feb 08; 352:133-137

Effect of cognitive behavioural therapy and yoga for generalised anxiety disorder on sleep quality in a randomised controlled trial: the role of worry, mindfulness, and perceived stress as mediators

Jacoby, Ryan J; Brown, Mackenzie L; Wieman, Sarah T; Rosenfield, David; Hoeppner, Susanne S; Bui, Eric; Hoge, Elizabeth A; Khalsa, Sat Bir S; Hofmann, Stefan G; Simon, Naomi M

Journal of sleep research. 2024 Feb ; 33:e13992

Breathing on the mind: Treating dyspnea and anxiety symptoms with biofeedback in chronic lung disease - A qualitative analysis

Norweg, Anna; Hofferber, Brittany; Maguire, Sophia; Oh, Cheongeun; Raveis, Victoria H; Simon, Naomi M

Respiratory medicine. 2023 Dec 22; 221:107505

Capnography-Assisted Learned, Monitored (CALM) breathing therapy for dysfunctional breathing in COPD: A bridge to pulmonary rehabilitation

Norweg, Anna; Hofferber, Brittany; Oh, Cheongeun; Spinner, Michael; Stavrolakes, Kimberly; Pavol, Marykay; DiMango, Angela; Raveis, Victoria H; Murphy, Charles G; Allegrante, John P; Buchholz, David; Zarate, Alejandro; Simon, Naomi

Contemporary clinical trials. 2023 Nov ; 134:107340

Heterogeneity of posttraumatic stress, depression, and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors: a latent class analysis

Malgaroli, Matteo; Szuhany, Kristin L; Riley, Gabriella; Miron, Carly D; Park, Jae Hyung; Rosenthal, Jane; Chachoua, Abraham; Meyers, Marleen; Simon, Naomi M

Journal of cancer survivorship. 2023 Oct ; 17:1510-1521

Comparing Kundalini Yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stress education for generalized anxiety disorder: Anxiety and depression symptom outcomes

Hoge, Elizabeth A; Simon, Naomi M; Szuhany, Kristin; Feldman, Benjamin; Rosenfield, David; Hoeppner, Susanne; Jennings, Emma; Khalsa, Sat Bir; Hofmann, Stefan G

Psychiatry research. 2023 Sep ; 327:115362

Predictors of Long-Term Exercise Engagement in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Role of Physical Activity Enjoyment

Szuhany, Kristin L; Steinberg, Margot H; McLaughlin, Nicole C R; Mancebo, Maria C; Brown, Richard A; Greenberg, Benjamin D; Simon, Naomi M; Abrantes, Ana M

Behavior therapy. 2023 Jul ; 54:610-622