Explore This Research Lab

Overview

Our research program focuses on the connections between mental health, behavior, and medical health in patients with heart disease and other chronic conditions.

We are interested in the impact of mood and anxiety disorders on cardiac health, and how different treatments for these disorders may impact quality of life and function. Depression and anxiety have been identified as risk factors for poor cardiac outcomes and death, independent of traditional cardiac risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking or diabetes.

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety go unrecognized and untreated in the vast majority of patients with heart disease, despite the existence of safe and effective treatment. We have performed two randomized trials of care management for cardiac patients who have depression or anxiety disorders to determine whether having a care manager helps these patients to have better outcomes and better quality of life, and have examined the impact of psychiatric medications on cardiac health.

Also, we are increasingly interested in the role of positive thoughts and emotions in health. There is some suggestion that positive psychological states, like optimism, positive affect and self-efficacy in persons may independently predict superior health, yet these connections have not been closely studied in patients who have chronic or acute illnesses, like an acute coronary syndrome or type 2 diabetes.

We have adapted positive psychological exercises to this population to determine if such exercises can boost optimism, positive affect, and self-efficacy in persons with heart disease or type 2 diabetes. We are performing ongoing studies to better develop these exercises and to determine whether they may affect biology, health behaviors, and key cardiac outcomes. We are also working to adapt these positive psychological interventions to patients with other medical populations, such as those with metabolic syndrome or in post-bariatric surgery patients.

Finally, we are exploring the use of text-messaging intervention (TMI) in patients with medical illnesses (e.g. cardiac condition, type-2-diabetes). We have developed a TMI that utilizes an adaptive algorithm to deliver messages related to positive psychology (PP) activities (e.g. recalling positive events) that promote psychological well-being and health behavior text messages (e.g. having a heart-healthy diet). We are continuously refining the algorithm and performing ongoing studies to examine the impact of text-message intervention on health behavior adherence and psychological and medical outcomes.

Active Research Projects

Total Health
Pragmatic collaborative care for cardiac inpatients with depression or anxiety
National Institutes of Health: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (1R01HL133149)

This is a randomized controlled trial aiming to determine whether a blended, collaborative care intervention for heart disease and mood or anxiety disorders (the Total Health program) leads to improvements in quality of life and other patient outcomes during and after treatment.
Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Reach for Health: Researching Emotions and Cardiac Health
A Novel Behavioral Intervention to Promote Adherence in Heart Failure
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1R01HL155301)

 

This is a randomized trial to examine the efficacy of a 12-week, phone-delivered, combined positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention (“Reach for Health”) to promote health behavior adherence in patients with heart failure. The Reach for Health program will be compared to a motivational interviewing-based control condition, and the primary outcome will be a measure consisting of physical activity, sodium excretion, and medication adherence.

Principal Investigator (PI): Christopher Celano


Positive Emotions after Acute Coronary Events (PEACE V)
A novel psychological-behavioral intervention to promote physical activity in patients with acute coronary syndrome
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (1R01HL113272)

 

This is a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a 12-week, phone-based, positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention (PEACE) to promote physical activity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or myocardial infarction). The PEACE program will be compared to treatment as usual, with a primary outcome of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Boosting Emotional Well-being and Happiness in Outpatients Living with Diabetes (BEHOLD)
A novel psychological-behavioral intervention to promote physical activity in type 2 diabetes

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (1R01DK133185)

 

This is a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of an 8-week, phone-based, positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention (BEHOLD) to promote physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The BEHOLD program will be compared to a motivational interviewing based educational condition, with a primary outcome of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Midlife Activity, Stress reduction, Time Efficiency, Resilience, and Youthfulness (MASTERY)
A tailored program to promote well-being and physical activity in mid-life adults with low physical activity
Donor funding

This is a project to pilot test a phone-based positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention designed to increase physical activity and improve mental health in midlife adults with low levels of physical activity.
Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Positive Affect in the Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (PATH-3)

Randomized Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)
National Cancer Institute (K08)

 

The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a positive psychology intervention in patients with hematologic malignancy undergoing HSCT on psychological, quality of life, functional, and behavioral health outcomes compared to usual care.Principal Investigator (PI): Hermioni L. Amonoo, MD, MPP


Positive Affect in the Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Caregivers (PATH-C)

Proof-of-Concept Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention for Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Oppenheimer Family Foundation 

This is an single-arm open pilot trial to determine the acceptability of a positive psychology intervention in caregivers of patients with hematologic malignancy undergoing HSCT. Principal Investigator (PI): Hermioni L. Amonoo, MD, MPP


Peer Support in HSCT
A Peer Support Intervention for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

This study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients’ experiences with peer support and peer support programs during their recovery from the transplant using semi-structured qualitative interviews, with the ultimate goal of developing a peer support intervention for patients with hematologic malignancies who are undergoing HSCT.
Principal Investigator (PI): Hermioni Lokko Amonoo


Developing a Positive Psychology Intervention to Promote Health Behaviors in Metabolic Syndrome (MAPP)
Development of a motivational interviewing-positive psychology intervention to improve mood and health related quality of life in patients with metabolic syndrome
National Institutes of Health (5K23HL135277)

The goal of this randomized controlled trial project is to identify insufficiently active primary care patients with metabolic syndrome and help them increase their physical activity through a group multilevel behavioral intervention. This project aims to test a combined positive psychology and motivational interviewing intervention in a group-setting at various community clinics and examine the intervention’s impact on psychological, behavioral, and health outcomes in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Principal Investigator (PI): Rachel Millstein


A Text Message Intervention to Promote Health Behaviors in Cardiac Risk Conditions (Text4Health)
An adaptive text message intervention program to promote well-being and physical activity in adults with cardiac risk conditions
NIH-NINR National Institute of Nursing Research (1R21NR018738)

This is a pilot two-arm project delivering text messages related to positive psychology (PP) activities and health behavior text messages (e.g. having a heart-healthy diet, becoming more physically active) in patients with cardiac risk conditions (i.e. hyperlipidemia, hypertension, type-2-diabetes). The project aims to use an adaptive algorithm that selects messages based on individual participant ratings, delivering an increasingly tailored set of text messages over time. We hope to test its feasibility and acceptability, and explore between-group differences on psychological, behavioral, and health-related outcomes in our participants.
Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Gaining Optimism After Weight Loss Surgery (GOALS) II
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Positive Psychology-based Intervention to Increase Physical Activity After Bariatric Surgery National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23HL148017)

This study aims to increase physical activity and psychological well-being in adults who have recently had bariatric surgery. We adapted a positive psychology-motivational interviewing telephone counseling intervention for the needs of this population via qualitative interviews and a proof-of-concept study. The intervention is now being tested in a pilot randomized controlled trial to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy on physical activity, positive affect, and other outcomes in adults who recently had bariatric surgery.Principal Investigator (PI): Emily Feig


Well-being in IBS: Strengths and Happiness (WISH)
Development of a positive psychology intervention to improve mood and health-related quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Dupont Warren and Livingston Awards

This project aims to adapt a positive psychology intervention for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The goal of the intervention is to promote improved psychological well-being, health-related quality of life, and adherence to health behaviors in patients with IBS.
Principal Investigator (PI): Elizabeth Madva

Recently Completed Projects

Gratitude Research in Acute Coronary Events (GRACE)
The impact of gratitude on biology and behavior in persons with heart disease
Greater Good Science Center/Templeton Foundation

This project prospectively studied the connections between positive psychological states (e.g., gratitude, optimism), measured two weeks after an acute coronary syndrome, and improvements in biomarkers and health behaviors at 6 months.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Positive Emotions after Acute Coronary Events (PEACE IV)
Developing a positive psychology intervention to improve cardiac health behaviors
National Institutes of Health: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (1R01HL113272)

This project aimed to systematically develop a positive psychological intervention for patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome to determine if such an intervention leads to greater participation in health behaviors (e.g., better diet, more physical activity) in the weeks and months following the acute cardiac event.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


A Positive Psychology-Motivational Interviewing Intervention for Type II Diabetes (BEHOLD-8)
A psychological-behavioral intervention for physical activity in type 2 diabetes
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R21DK109313)

This randomized pilot trial of an intervention (planned N=60) combed positive psychological and goal-setting programs to improve physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes. Outcome measures included assessments of feasibility, acceptability and physical activity.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


A Novel Psychological-Behavioral Intervention to Increase Activity in Type 2 Diabetes (BEHOLD-16)
A psychological-behavioral intervention for physical activity in type 2 diabetes

American Diabetes Association (1-17-ICTS-099)

This is a 16-week study of a phone-based combined Positive Psychology-Motivational Interviewing intervention aimed to improve physical activity in patients who have type 2 diabetes and are suboptimally physically active. It will involve two parts: 1) a single-arm trial to assess feasibility and 2) a larger 16-week randomized trial in which the PP-MI program is tested against an attentional control condition.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Researching Emotions and Cardiac Health (REACH)
A positive psychology intervention to promote health behaviors in patients with heart failure: A randomized, controlled pilot trial
National Institutes of Health (K23HL123607)

This project evaluated an optimized positive psychological intervention for patients with heart failure to explore potential benefits of the intervention on outcomes of interest (e.g., psychological health, functioning, and health behavior adherence) compared to a motivational interviewing- (MI) based education condition and treatment as usual (TAU).

Principal Investigator (PI): Christopher Celano


Positive Affect in the Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (PATH)
Development of a positive psychology intervention to improve mood and health related quality of life in patients post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Harvard Medical School, Dupont-Warren Fellowship

The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of a phone-based positive psychology intervention for cancer patients who have recently undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The intervention aims to improve positive affect, psychological well-being, quality of life, and overall function and outcomes for these patients.
Principal Investigator (PI): Hermioni Lokko Amonoo


Piloting Text Messages to Promote Positive Affect and Physical Activity (PERSONAL)

Donor funding

This is a pilot one-arm project delivering text messages related to positive psychology (PP) activities and health behavior text messages (e.g. having a heart-healthy diet, becoming more physically active) in patients with post-acute coronary syndrome. The project aims to use an adaptive algorithm that selects messages based on individual participant ratings, delivering an increasingly tailored set of text messages over time.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Huffman


Developing an Adaptive Text Message Intervention to Promote Health Behavior Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes
An adaptive text message intervention program to promote well-being and physical activity in adults with type-2-diabetes
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness

This is a pilot one-arm project that aims to deliver adaptive text messages related to positive psychology (PP) activities, healthy diet, physical activity, and diabetes self-care for 8 weeks among patients with type-2 diabetes. The project aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and examine its short-term impact in various self-reported outcomes, such as physical activity, dietary adherence, and positive affect.

Principal Investigator (PI): Christopher Celano


Improving Nutrition Spirit and Physical activity in Renal Disease (INSPIRED)
A positive psychology-based health behavior intervention in end-stage renal disease: a proof-of-concept trial
Donor funding

This is a project to pilot test a phone-based positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention designed to improve physical activity, dietary adherence, dialysis self-care behaviors, and mental health in adults with end-stage renal disease who are treated with hemodialysis.

Principal Investigator (PI): Christopher Celano

Publications

Selected Publications

Huffman JC, Golden J, Massey CN, Feig EH, Chung WJ, Millstein RA, Brown L, Gianangelo T, Healy BC, Wexler DJ, Park ER, Celano CM. A positive psychology-motivational interviewing program to promote physical activity in type 2 diabetes: The BEHOLD-16 pilot randomized trial. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2020 Dec 11;68:65-73.


Hall DL, Millstein RA, Luberto CM, Perez GK, Park ER. Responding to COVID-19 Stress: Disseminating Mind-Body Resiliency Approaches. Glob Adv Health Med. 2020 Dec 1;9:2164956120976554. doi: 10.1177/2164956120976554.


Madva EN, Celano CM, Smith DM, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. Recurrent versus new-onset depressive symptoms: Relationships with biomarkers of cardiovascular health following acute coronary syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 2021 Jan;140:110291. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110291. Epub 2020 Nov 11.


Zambrano J, Celano CM, Januzzi JL, Massey CN, Chung WJ, Millstein RA, Huffman JC. Psychiatric and Psychological Interventions for Depression in Patients With Heart Disease: A Scoping Review. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020 Nov 17;9(22):e018686. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.018686. Epub 2020 Nov 7.


Celano CM, Freedman ME, Harnedy LE, Park ER, Januzzi JL, Healy BC, Huffman JC. Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a positive psychology-based intervention to promote health behaviors in heart failure: The REACH for Health study. J Psychosom Res. 2020 Dec;139:110285. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110285. Epub 2020 Oct 29.


Onyeaka HK, Romero P, Healy BC, Celano CM. Age Differences in the Use of Health Information Technology Among Adults in the United States: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey. J Aging Health. 2020 Oct 8:898264320966266. doi: 10.1177/0898264320966266. Epub ahead of print.


Millstein RA, Huffman JC, Thorndike AN, Freedman M, Scheu C, Kim S, Amonoo HL, Barclay M, Park ER. How Do Positive Psychological Constructs Affect Physical Activity Engagement Among Individuals at High Risk for Chronic Health Conditions? A Qualitative Study. J Phys Act Health. 2020 Sep 4:1-10. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2019-0295. Epub ahead of print.


Huffman JC, Golden J, Massey CN, Feig EH, Chung WJ, Millstein RA, Brown L, Gianangelo T, Healy BC, Wexler DJ, Park ER, Celano CM. A Positive Psychology-Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Promote Positive Affect and Physical Activity in Type 2 Diabetes: The BEHOLD-8 Controlled Clinical Trial. Psychosom Med. 2020 Sep;82(7):641-649.


Mohammadi N, Aghayousefi A, Nikrahan GR, King F 4th, Alipour A, Sadeghi M, Roohafza H, Celano CM, Gomez PR, Huffman JC. The Impact of an Optimism Training Intervention on Biological Measures Associated With Cardiovascular Health: Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychosom Med. 2020 Sep;82(7):634-640.


Lianov LS, Barron GC, Fredrickson BL, Hashmi S, Klemes A, Krishnaswami J, Lee J, Le Pertel N, Matthews JA, Millstein RA, Phillips EM, Sannidhi D, Purpur de Vries P, Wallace A, Winter SJ. Positive psychology in health care: defining key stakeholders and their roles. Transl Behav Med. 2020 Aug 7;10(3):637-647. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibz150. PMID: 32766868.


Millstein RA, Lindly OJ, Luberto CM, Perez GK, Schwartz GN, Kuhlthau K, Park ER. An Exploration of Health Behaviors in a Mind-Body Resilience Intervention for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2020 Aug;41(6):480-485. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000813.


Millstein RA, Thorndike AN, Kim S, Park ER, Huffman JC. A community-based positive psychology group intervention to promote physical activity among people with metabolic syndrome: Proof of concept results to inform a pilot randomized controlled trial protocol. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2020 Jul 16;19:100626.


Kuhlthau KA, Luberto CM, Traeger L, Millstein RA, Perez GK, Lindly OJ, Chad-Friedman E, Proszynski J, Park ER. A Virtual Resiliency Intervention for Parents of Children with Autism: A Randomized Pilot Trial. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020 Jul;50(7):2513-2526.


Greenberg J, Popok PJ, Lin A, Kulich RJ, James P, Macklin EA, Millstein RA, Edwards RR, Vranceanu AM. A Mind-Body Physical Activity Program for Chronic Pain With or Without a Digital Monitoring Device: Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Form Res. 2020 Jun 8;4(6):e18703. doi: 10.2196/18703.


Botchwey N, Jones-Bynes J, O'Connell K, Millstein RA, Kim A, Conway TL. Impact of a youth advocacy policy, systems and environmental change program for physical activity on perceptions and beliefs. Prev Med. 2020 Jul;136:106077. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106077. Epub 2020 Apr 13.


Chen JA, Chung WJ, Young SK, Tuttle MC, Collins MB, Darghouth SL, Longley R, Levy R, Razafsha M, Kerner JC, Wozniak J, Huffman JC. COVID-19 and telepsychiatry: Early outpatient experiences and implications for the future. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2020 Sep-Oct;66:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.07.002. Epub 2020 Jul 9.


Feig EH, Celano CM, Massey CN, Chung WJ, Romero P, Harnedy LE, Huffman JC. Association of Midlife Status With Response to a Positive Psychology Intervention in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome. Psychosomatics. 2020 Jun 12:S0033-3182(20)30188-2. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2020.06.002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32665150; PMCID: PMC7736093.


Amonoo HL, Brown LA, Scheu CF, Harnedy LE, Pirl WF, El-Jawahri A, Huffman JC. Beyond depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: Qualitative study of negative emotional experiences in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2020 Sep;29(5):e13263. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13263. Epub 2020 May 29.


Amonoo HL, Fenech A, Greer JA, Temel JS, Huffman JC, El-Jawahri A. Does Desire to Pursue Pleasurable Activities Matter? The Impact of Pretransplantation Anhedonia on Quality of Life and Fatigue in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2020 Aug;26(8):1477-1481. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.04.014. Epub 2020 May 11.


Feig EH, Amonoo HL, Onyeaka HK, Romero PM, Kim S, Huffman JC. Weight bias internalization and its association with health behaviour adherence after bariatric surgery. Clin Obes. 2020 Aug;10(4):e12361. doi: 10.1111/cob.12361. Epub 2020 Apr 21.


Celano CM, Beale EE, Freedman ME, Mastromauro CA, Feig EH, Park ER, Huffman JC. Positive psychological constructs and health behavior adherence in heart failure: A qualitative research study. Nurs Health Sci. 2020 Sep;22(3):620-628. doi: 10.1111/nhs.12704.


Amonoo HL, Kurukulasuriya C, Chilson K, Onstad L, Huffman JC, Lee SJ. Improving Quality of Life in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors Through a Positive Psychology Intervention. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2020 Jun;26(6):1144-1153. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.02.013. Epub 2020 Feb 20. P


Park ER, Perez GK, Millstein RA, Luberto CM, Traeger L, Proszynski J, Chad-Friedman E, Kuhlthau KA. A Virtual Resiliency Intervention Promoting Resiliency for Parents of Children with Learning and Attentional Disabilities: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Matern Child Health J. 2020 Jan;24(1):39-53. doi: 10.1007/s10995-019-02815-3.


Smith DM, Duque L, Huffman JC, Healy BC, Celano CM. Text Message Interventions for Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American journal of preventive medicine. 2020;58(1):142-151.


Trudel-Fitzgerald C, Millstein RA, von Hippel C, Howe CJ, Tomasso LP, Wagner GR, VanderWeele TJ. Psychological well-being as part of the public health debate? Insight into dimensions, interventions, and policy. BMC Public Health. 2019 Dec 19;19(1):1712. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-8029-x.


Greenberg J, Lin A, Zale EL, Kulich RJ, James P, Millstein RA, Shapiro H, Schatman ME, Edwards RR, Vranceanu AM. Development And Early Feasibility Testing Of A Mind-Body Physical Activity Program For Patients With Heterogeneous Chronic Pain; The GetActive Study. J Pain Res. 2019 Dec 11;12:3279-3297. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S222448.


Huffman JC, Millstein RA, Celano CM, Healy BC, Park ER, Collins LM. Developing a Psychological-Behavioral Intervention in Cardiac Patients Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy: Lessons Learned From the Field. Ann Behav Med. 2019 Oct 5 [Epub ahead of print].


Huffman JC. Optimism and Health: Where Do We Go From Here? JAMA network open. 2019;2(9):e1912211.

Huffman JC, Massey CN, Chung WJ, Feig EH, Ibrahim NE, Celano CM. The case for targeted mid-life interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease. Acta cardiologica. 2019:1-3.


Brown L, Ospina JP, Celano CM, Huffman JC. The Effects of Positive Psychological Interventions on Medical Patients' Anxiety: A Meta-analysis. Psychosom Med. 2019;81(7):595-602.


Nikrahan GR, Eshaghi L, Massey CN, Hemmat A, Amonoo HL, Healy BC, Huffman JC. Randomized controlled trial of a well-being intervention in cardiac patients. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2019 Jun 14 [Epub ahead of print].


Duque L, Brown L, Celano CM, Healy B, Huffman JC. Is it better to cultivate positive affect or optimism? Predicting improvements in medical adherence following a positive psychology intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2019.


Brown L, Karmakar C, Flynn M, Motin MA, Palaniswami M, Celano CM, Huffman JC. A Self-Compassion Group Intervention for Patients Living With Chronic Medical Illness: Treatment Development and Feasibility Study. Prim Care Companion CNS Disorders 2019; 21(5).


Bentley KH, Kleiman EM, Elliott G, Huffman JC, Nock MK. Real-time monitoring technology in single-case experimental design research: Opportunities and challenges. Behav Res Ther 2019; 117:87-96.


Brown L, Huffman JC, Bryant C. Self-compassionate Aging: A Systematic Review. The Gerontologist. 2019;59(4):e311-e324.


Kubzansky LD, Huffman JC, Boehm JK, et al. Reprint of: Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Health Promotion Series. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018;72(23 Pt B):3012-3026.


Feig EH, Healy BC, Celano CM, Nikrahan GR, Moskowitz JT, Huffman JC. Positive psychology interventions in patients with medical illness: What predicts improvement in psychological state? Int J Wellbeing 2019; 9(2).


Massey CN, Feig EH, Duque-Serrano L, Wexler D, Moskowitz JT, Huffman JC. Well-being interventions for individuals with diabetes: A systematic review. Diabetes research and clinical practice. 2019;147:118-133.


Huffman JC, Feig EH, Millstein RA, Freedman M, Healy BC, Chung QJ, Amonoo HL, Malloy L, Slawsby E, Januzzi JL, Celano CM. Usefulness of a positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention to promote positive affect and physical activity after an acute coronary syndrome. Am J Cardiol 2019; 123(12); 1906-1914.


Hernandez R, Daviglus ML, Martinez L, Durazo-Arvizu RA, Huffman JC, Ramirez F, Tito L, Moskowitz JT. "iAlegrate!"-A culturally adapted positive psychological intervention for Hispanics/Latinos with hypertension: Rationale, design, and methods. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2019; 14:100348.


Feig EH, Golden J, Huffman JC. Emotional Impact on Health Behavior Adherence  After Bariatric Surgery: What About Positive Psychological Constructs? Obes Surg 2019; 29(7):2238-2246.


Gomez-Bernal F, Madva EN, Puckett J, Amonoo HL, Millstein RA, Huffman JC. Relationships Between Life Stressors, Health Behaviors, and Chronic Medical Conditions in Mid-Life Adults: A Narrative Review. Psychosomatics. 2019;60(2):153-163.


Albanese AM, Huffman JC, Celano CM, et al. The role of spousal support for dietary adherence among type 2 diabetes patients: a narrative review. Social work in health care. 2019;58(3):304-323.


Millstein RA, Chung WJ, Hoeppner BB, Boehm JK, Legler SR, Mastromauro CA, Huffman JC. Development of the State Optimism Measure. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2019; 58:83-93.


Celano CM, Huffman JC. Rethinking our approach to delirium: The potential of proactivity. J Psychosom Res. 2019;122:52-53.


Amonoo HL, Brown LA, Scheu CF, Millstein RA, Pirl WF, Vitagliano HL, Antin JH, Huffman JC. Positive psychological experiences in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Psychooncology 2019; 28(8):1633-1639.


Amonoo HL, Massey CN, Freedman ME, et al. Psychological Considerations in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Psychosomatics. 2019;60(4):331-342.


Huffman JC, Legler S, Millstein RA, Gomez-Bernal F, Celano CM, Chung WJ, Healy BC. Does timeframe adjustment of the Life Orientation Test-Revised assess optimism as a state? J Pos Psychol 2019; 14:6,799-806.


Bentley KH, Kleiman EM, Elliott G, Huffman JC, Nock MK. Real-time monitoring technology in single-case experimental design research: Opportunities and challenges. Behav Res Ther 2019; 117:87-96.


Celano CM, Gianangelo T, Millstein RA, Huffman JC. A positive psychology-motivational interviewing intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes: proof-of-concept trial. Int J Psychiatry Med 2019; 54(2):97-114. 


Legler S, Beale EE, Celano CM, Beach SR, Healy BC, Huffman JC. State gratitude for one’s life and health after an acute coronary syndrome: prospective associations with physical activity, medical adherence and re-hospitalizations. J Posit Psychol 2019; 14(3):283-291.


Celano CM, Freedman ME, Beale EE, Gomez-Bernal F, Huffman JC.  A positive psychology intervention to promote health behaviors in heart failure: a proof-of-concept trial: The REACH for Health Study.  J Nerv Ment Dis 2018; 206(10):800-808.


Legler S, Celano CM, Amador A, Novis A, Ebrahim S, Huffman JC.  Development and theoretical approach to an adaptive text message program to promote well-being and health behaviors in primary care patients. Primary Care Companion CNS Disord 2018; 20(5): pii: 18br02353.


Reilly-Harrington NA, Feig EH, Huffman JC. Bipolar Disorder and Obesity: Contributing Factors, Impact on Clinical Course, and the Role of Bariatric Surgery. Current obesity reports. 2018;7(4):294-300.


Celano CM, Gomez-Bernal F, Mastromauro CA, et al. A positive psychology intervention for patients with bipolar depression: a randomized pilot trial. Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England). 2018:1-9.


Celano CM, Huffman JC. Heart Failure and Suicide: The Role of Depression. Journal of cardiac failure. 2018;24(11):801-802.


Mou D, Beck S, Fedor S, Kleiman E, Huffman JC, Nock MK. Negative affect is more strongly associated with suicidal thinking among suicidal patients with borderline personality disorder than those without. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 104:198-201 


Huffman JC, Smith DM, Ibrahim NE, Duque L, Moskowitz JT, Celano CM. Using mHealth interventions to promote cardiovascular health. Acta cardiologica. 2019;74(4):283-285.


Campbell KA, Healy BC, Celano CM, Albanese AA, Millstein RA, Huffman JC. Predictors of completion of a psychological-behavioral intervention in acute coronary syndrome patients.  J Psychosom Res 2018; 112:9-12.


Bhasin MK, Denninger JW, Huffman JC, Joseph MG, Niles H, Chad-Friedman E, Goldman R, Buczynski-Kelley B, Mahoney BA, Fricchione GL, Dusek JA, Benson H, Zusman RM, Libermann TA. Specific transcriptome changes associated with blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients after relaxation response training. J Altern Complement Med 2018; 24:486-504.


Kleiman EM, Turner BJ, Fedor S, Beale EE, Picard RW, Huffman JC, Nock MK. Digital phenotyping of suicidal thoughts. Depress Anxiety 2018; 35:601-608.


Celano CM, Albanese AM, Millstein RA, Mastromauro CA, Chung WJ, Campbell KA, Legler SR, Park ER, Healy BC, Collins LM, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. Optimizing a positive psychology intervention to promote health behaviors following an acute coronary syndrome: The Positive Emotions after Acute Coronary Events-III (PEACE-III) randomized factorial trial. Psychosom Med. 2018 Apr 5.


Celano CM, Gomez-Bernal F, Mastromauro CA, Beale EE, DuBois CM, Auerbach RP, Huffman JC. A positive psychological intervention in bipolar disorder. J Ment Health 2018; 1-9.


Hawkins M, Schaffer A, Sinyor M, Nishikawa Y, Herrmann N, Lanctôt KL, Styra R, Pompili M, Huffman JC. Suicide deaths by intentional self-poisoning in people with cardiovascular disease. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2018; 52:41-47.


Madva E, Gomez-Bernal F, Huffman JC. Magnitude and sources of distress in mid-life adults with chronic medical illness: an exploratory mixed-methods analysis. Psychol Health Med 2018; 23:555-566.


Millstein RA, Quintiliani LM, Sharpe AL. Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: Increasing funding for the NIH OBSSR to promote timely and effective behavioral medicine research. Transl Behav Med. 2018 Mar 1;8(2):309-312.


Mohammadi N, Aghayousefi A, Nikrahan GR, Adams CN, Alipour A, Sadeghi M, Roohafza H, Celano CM, Huffman JC. A randomized trial of an optimism training intervention in patients with heart disease. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2018 Mar - Apr;51:46-53.


Leclaire K, Cecil A, LaRussa A, Stuart F, Hemond CC, Healy BC, Chitnis T, Weiner H, Huffman JC, Glanz BI. A pilot study of a group positive psychology intervention for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Int J MS Care 2018; 20:136-141.


Massey CN, Feig EH, Duque-Serrano L, Huffman JC. Psychological Well-Being and Type 2 Diabetes. Curr Res Diabetes Obes J. 2017 Oct;4(4). pii: 555641.


Beach SR, Celano CM, Sugrue AM, Adams C, Ackerman MJ, Noseworthy PA, Huffman JC. QT Prolongation, Torsades de Pointes, and Psychotropic Medications: A 5-Year Update. Psychosomatics. 2018 Mar - Apr;59(2):105-122.


Cain KL, Gavand KA, Conway TL, Geremia CM, Millstein RA, Frank LD, Saelens BE, Adams MA, Glanz K, King AC, Sallis JF. Developing and Validating an Abbreviated Version of the Microscale Audit for Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS-Abbreviated). J Transp Health. 2017 Jun;5:84-96. Epub 2017 May 26.


Huffman JC, Adams CN, Celano CM. Collaborative Care and Related Interventions in Patients With Heart Disease: An Update and New Directions. Psychosomatics. 2018 Jan - Feb;59(1):1-18. Epub 2017 Sep 18.


Madva EN, Gomez-Bernal F, Millstein RA, Celano CM, Park ER, Mastromauro CA, Albanese AM, Beale EE, Huffman JC. Magnitude and sources of distress in mid-life adults with chronic medical illness: an exploratory mixed-methods analysis. Psychol Health Med. 2018 Jun;23(5):555-566.


Villegas AC, DuBois CM, Celano CM, Beale EE, Mastromauro CA, Stewart JG, Auerbach RP, Huffman JC, Hoeppner BB. A longitudinal investigation of the Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR) in suicidal patients during and after hospitalization. Psychiatry Res. 2017 Sep 20. pii: S0165-1781(16)31863-7.


McCoy TH, Castro VM, Snapper L, Hart K, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC, Perlis RH. Polygenic loading for major depression is associated with specific medical comorbidity. Transl Psychiatry. 2017 Sep 19;7(9):e1238.


Beach SR, Gomez-Bernal F, Huffman JC, Fricchione GL. Alternative treatment strategies for catatonia: A systematic review. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry. 2017;48:1-19. Huffman JC, Legler SR, Boehm JK. Positive psychological well-being and health in patients with heart disease: a brief review. Future Cardiol. 2017 Aug 22.


Kaar JL, Luberto CM, Campbell KA, Huffman JC. Sleep, health behaviors, and behavioral interventions: Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults. World J Cardiol. 2017 May 26;9(5):396-406.


Kleiman EM, Turner BJ, Fedor S, Beale EE, Huffman JC, Nock MK. Examination of real-time fluctuations in suicidal ideation and its risk factors: Results from two ecological momentary assessment studies. J Abnorm Psychol. 2017 Aug;126(6):726-738.


Huffman JC, Millstein RA, Mastromauro CA, Moore SV, Celano CM, Bedoya CA, Suarez L, Boehm JK, Januzzi JL. A Positive Psychology Intervention for Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Treatment Development and Proof-of-Concept Trial. J Happiness Stud. 2016 Oct;17(5):1985-2006.


Celano CM, Beale EE, Mastromauro CA, Stewart JG, Millstein RA, Auerbach RP, Bedoya CA, Huffman JC. Psychological interventions to reduce suicidality in high-risk patients with major depression: a randomized controlled trial. Psychol Med 2016;47(5):810-821.


Campbell KA, Madva E, Villegas AC, Beale EE, Beach SR, Wasfy J, Albanese AM, Huffman JC. Non-cardiac Chest Pain: A Review for the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist. Psychosomatics 2016;58(3):252-265.


Celano CM, Beale EE, Beach SR, Belcher AM, Suarez L, Motiwala SR, Gandhi PU, Gaggin H, Januzzi JL Jr, Healy BC, Huffman JC. Associations Between Psychological Constructs and Cardiac Biomarkers After Acute Coronary Syndrome. Psychosom Med. 2016;79(3):318-326.


Kubzansky LD, Kim ES, Salinas J, Huffman JC, Kawachi I. Happiness, health, and mortality. Lancet. 2016;388(10039):27.


Panagioti M, Bower P, Kontopantelis E, Lovell K, Gilbody S, Waheed W, Dickens C, Archer J, Simon G, Ell K, Huffman JC, Richards DA, van der Feltz-Cornelis C, Adler DA, Bruce M, Buszewicz M, Cole MG, Davidson KW, de Jonge P, Gensichen J, Huijbregts K, Menchetti M, Patel V, Rollman B, Shaffer J, Zijlstra-Vlasveld MC, Coventry PA. Association Between Chronic Physical Conditions and the Effectiveness of Collaborative Care for Depression: An Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(9):978-989.


Celano CM, Daunis DJ, Lokko HN, Campbell KA, Huffman JC. Anxiety disorders and cardiovascular disease. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2016, Nov; 18(11):101.


Huffman JC, Albanese AM, Campbell KA, Celano CM, Millstein RA, Mastromauro CA, Healy BC, Chung WJ, Januzzi JL, Collins LM, Park ER. The Positive Emotions after Acute Coronary Events (PEACE) Behavioral Health Intervention: Design, Rationale, and Preliminary Feasibility of a Factorial Design Study. Clinical Trials. 2017 Apr;14(2):128-139.


Millstein, RA, Celano, CM, Beale, EE, Beach, SR, Suarez, L, Belcher AM, Januzzi, JL, Huffman, JC. The effects of optimism and gratitude on adherence, functioning, and mental health following an acute coronary syndrome. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2016, 43:17-22.


Rundell JR, Huffman JC. The COMPASS initiative: implementing a complex integrated care program. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2016, Jul 12. pii: S0163-8343(16)30168-2.


DuBois CM, Millstein RA, Celano CM, Wexler DJ, Huffman JC. Feasibility and Acceptability of a Positive Psychological intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016, May 5;18(3).


Nikrahan GR, Suarez L, Asgari K, Beach SR, Celano CM, Kalantari M, Abedi MR, Etesampour A, Abbas R, Huffman JC. Positive Psychology Interventions for Patients With Heart Disease: A Preliminary Randomized Trial. Psychosomatics. 2016;57(4):348-358.


Nikrahan GR, Laferton JA, Asgari K, Kalantari M, Abedi MR, Etesampour A, Rezaei A, Suarez L, Huffman JC. Effects of Positive Psychology Interventions on Risk Biomarkers in Coronary Patients: A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Pilot Trial. Psychosomatics. 2016;57(4):359-368.


Soule MC, Beale EE, Suarez L, Beach SR, Mastromauro CA, Celano CM, Moore SV, Huffman JC. Understanding motivations to participate in an observational research study: Why do patients enroll? Soc Work Health Care. 2016;55(3):231-246.


Celano CM, Healy B, Suarez L, Levy DE, Mastromauro C, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. Cost-Effectiveness of a Collaborative Care Depression and Anxiety Treatment Program in Patients with Acute Cardiac Illness. Value Health. 2016;19(2):185-191.


Huffman JC, Beale EE, Celano CM, Beach SR, Belcher AM, Moore SV, Suarez L, Motiwala SR, Gandhi PU, Gaggin HK. Effects of Optimism and Gratitude on Physical Activity, Biomarkers, and Readmissions After an Acute Coronary Syndrome The Gratitude Research in Acute Coronary Events Study. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2016;9(1):55-63.


Huffman JC, Boehm JK, Beach SR, Beale EE, DuBois CM, Healy BC. Relationship of optimism and suicidal ideation in three groups of patients at varying levels of suicide risk. J Psychiatr Res. 2016;77:76-84.


Nikrahan GR, Laferton JA, Asgari K, Kalantari M, Abedi MR, Etesampour A, Rezaei A, Suarez L, Huffman JC. Effects of Positive Psychology Interventions on Risk Biomarkers in Coronary Patients: A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Pilot Trial. Psychosomatics. 2016;57(4):359-368.


Freudenreich O, Huffman JC, Sharpe M, Beach SR, Celano CM, Chwastiak LA, Cohen MA, Dickerman A, Fitz-Gerald MJ, Kontos N, Mittal L, Nejad SH, Niazi S, Novak M, Philbrick K, Rasimas JJ, Shim J, Simpson SA, Walker A, Walker J, Wichman CL, Zimbrean P, Sollner W, Stern TA. Updates in Psychosomatic Medicine: 2014. Psychosomatics. 2015;56(5):445-459.


Huffman JC, Celano CM.Depression in cardiovascular disease: From awareness to action. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2015;25(7):623-624.


Beach SR, Walker J, Celano CM, Mastromauro CA, Sharpe M, Huffman JC. Implementing collaborative care programs for psychiatric disorders in medical settings: a practical guide. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2015;37(6):522-527.


DuBois CM, Lopez OV, Beale EE, Healy BC, Boehm JK, Huffman JC. Relationships between positive psychological constructs and health outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Int J Cardiol. 2015;195:265-280.


Suarez L, Beach SR, Moore SV, Mastromauro CA, Januzzi JL, Celano CM, Chang TE, Huffman JC. Use of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and a detailed suicide evaluation in determining imminent suicidality in distressed patients with cardiac disease. Psychosomatics. 2015;56(2):181-189.


Huffman JC, Beale EE, Beach SR, Celano CM, Belcher AM, Moore SV, Suarez L, Gandhi PU, Motiwala SR, Gaggin H, Januzzi JL. Design and baseline data from the Gratitude Research in Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) study. Contemp Clin Trials. 2015;44:11-19.


Celano CM, Millstein RA, Bedoya CA, Healy BC, Roest AM, Huffman JC. Association between anxiety and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis. Am Heart J. 2015;170(6):1105-1115.


Huffman J, Millstein R, Mastromauro C, Moore S, Celano C, Bedoya C, Suarez L, Boehm J, Januzzi J. A Positive Psychology Intervention for Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Treatment Development and Proof-of-Concept Trial. J Happiness Stud. 2015:1-22.


Huffman JC, DuBois CM, Millstein RA, Celano CM, Wexler D. Positive psychological interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes: rationale, theoretical model, and intervention development. J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:428349.


Huffman JC, Moore SV, DuBois CM, Mastromauro CA, Suarez L, Park ER. An exploratory mixed methods analysis of adherence predictors following acute coronary syndrome. Psychol Health Med. 2015;20(5):541-550.


Huffman JC, DuBois CM, Mastromauro CA, Moore SV, Suarez L, Park ER. Positive psychological states and health behaviors in acute coronary syndrome patients: A qualitative study. J Health Psychol. 2014 64:27-34.


Beach SR, Kostis WJ, Celano CM, Januzzi JL, Ruskin JN, Noseworthy PA, Huffman JC. Meta-analysis of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-associated QTc prolongation. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(5):e441-449.


Huffman JC, Niazi SK, Rundell JR, Sharpe M, Katon WJ. Essential articles on collaborative care models for the treatment of psychiatric disorders in medical settings: a publication by the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine Research and Evidence-Based Practice Committee. Psychosomatics. 2014;55(2):109-122.


Huffman JC, Mastromauro CA, Beach SR, Celano CM, DuBois CM, Healy BC, Suarez L, Rollman BL, Januzzi JL. Collaborative care for depression and anxiety disorders in patients with recent cardiac events: the Management of Sadness and Anxiety in Cardiology (MOSAIC) randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(6):927-935.


Huffman JC, DuBois CM, Healy BC, Boehm JK, Kashdan TB, Celano CM, Denninger JW, Lyubomirsky S. Feasibility and utility of positive psychology exercises for suicidal inpatients. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2014;36(1):88-94.


Denninger JW, Bhasin M, Huffman J, Niles H, Creager M, Pande R, Liberman T, Fricchione G, Benson H, Zusman R. Clinical and genomic effects of a relaxation response-based mind-body intervention in stage I hypertension. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2014;20(5):A54-A54.


Rollman BL, Huffman JC. Treating anxiety in the presence of medical comorbidity: calmly moving forward. Psychosom Med. 2013;75(8):710-712.


Beach SR, Januzzi JL, Mastromauro CA, Healy BC, Beale EE, Celano CM, Huffman JC. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score and adverse cardiac outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute cardiac disease. J Psychosom Res. 2013;75(5):409-413.


Huffman JC. Review: depression after myocardial infarction is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. J Psychosom Res. 2013;16(4):110.


Huffman JC, Beach SR, Suarez L, Mastromauro CA, Dubois CM, Celano CM, Rollman BL, Januzzi JL. Design and baseline data from the Management of Sadness and Anxiety in Cardiology (MOSAIC) randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2013;36(2):488-501.


Celano CM, Suarez L, Mastromauro C, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. Feasibility and utility of screening for depression and anxiety disorders in patients with cardiovascular disease. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2013;6(4):498-504.


Beach SR, Celano CM, Noseworthy PA, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. QTc prolongation, torsades de pointes, and psychotropic medications. Psychosomatics. 2013;54(1):1-13.


Sowden GL, Mastromauro CA, Seabrook RC, Celano CM, Rollman BL, Huffman JC. Baseline physical health-related quality of life and subsequent depression outcomes in cardiac patients. Psychiatry Res. 2013;208(3):288-290.


Celano CM, Beale EE, Moore SV, Wexler DJ, Huffman JC. Positive psychological characteristics in diabetes: a review. Curr Diab Rep. 2013;13:917-929.


Huffman JC, Celano CM, Beach SR, Motiwala SR, Januzzi JL. Depression and cardiac disease: epidemiology, mechanisms, and diagnosis. Cardiovasc Psychiatry Neurol. 2013;2013:695925.


Bauer LK, Caro MA, Beach SR, Mastromauro CA, Lenihan E, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. Effects of depression and anxiety improvement on adherence to medication and health behaviors in recently hospitalized cardiac patients. Am J Cardiol. 2012;109(9):1266-1271.


DuBois CM, Beach SR, Kashdan TB, Nyer MB, Park ER, Celano CM, Huffman JC. Positive psychological attributes and cardiac outcomes: associations, mechanisms, and interventions. Psychosomatics. 2012;53(4):303-318.


Caro MA, Sowden GL, Mastromauro CA, Mahnks S, Beach SR, Januzzi JL, Huffman JC. Risk factors for positive depression screens in hospitalized cardiac patients. J Cardiol. 2012;60(1):72-77.


Wexler DJ, Porneala B, Chang Y, Huang ES, Huffman JC, Grant RW. Diabetes differentially affects depression and self-rated health by age in the U.S. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(7):1575-1577.


Celano CM, Mastromauro CA, Lenihan EC, Januzzi JL, Rollman BL, Huffman JC. Association of baseline anxiety with depression persistence at 6 months in patients with acute cardiac illness. Psychosom Med. 2012;74(1):93-99.


Celano CM, Huffman JC. Depression and cardiac disease: a review. Cardiol Rev. 2011;19(3):130-142.


Huffman JC, Mastromauro CA, Sowden G, Fricchione GL, Healy BC, Januzzi JL. Impact of a depression care management program for hospitalized cardiac patients. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2011;4(2):198-205.


Huffman JC, Mastromauro CA, Sowden GL, Wittmann C, Rodman R, Januzzi JL. A collaborative care depression management program for cardiac inpatients: depression characteristics and in-hospital outcomes. Psychosomatics. 2011;52(1):26-33.


Huffman JC, Mastromauro CA, Boehm JK, Seabrook R, Fricchione GL, Denninger JW, Lyubomirsky S. Development of a positive psychology intervention for patients with acute cardiovascular disease. Heart Int. 2011;6(2):e14.


Bauer LK, Huffman JC. Is low cholesterol associated with depression in cardiac patients? Int J Cardiol. 2010;145(3):537-539.


Sowden G, Mastromauro CA, Januzzi JL, Fricchione GL, Huffman JC. Detection of depression in cardiac inpatients: feasibility and results of systematic screening. Am Heart J. 2010;159(5):780-787.


Huffman JC, Celano CM, Januzzi JL. The relationship between depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2010;6:123-136.


Huffman JC, Doughty CT, Januzzi JL, Pirl WF, Smith FA, Fricchione GL. Screening for major depression in post-myocardial infarction patients: operating characteristics of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2010;40(2):187-197.


Huffman JC, Smith FA, Fricchione GL, Januzzi JL, Nadelman S, Pirl WF. Depression and failure of cholesterol lowering after acute myocardial infarction. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;12(1):PCC.08m00766.


Huffman JC. Could being happy give you a healthy heart? Future Cardiol. 2009;5(4):325-327.


Sowden GL, Huffman JC. The impact of mental illness on cardiac outcomes: a review for the cardiologist. Int J Cardiol. 2009;132(1):30-37.


Huffman JC, Smith FA, Blais MA, Taylor AM, Januzzi JL, Fricchione GL. Pre-existing major depression predicts in-hospital cardiac complications after acute myocardial infarction. Psychosomatics. 2008;49(4):309-316.


Huffman JC, Smith FA, Blais MA, Januzzi JL, Fricchione GL. Anxiety, independent of depressive symptoms, is associated with in-hospital cardiac complications after acute myocardial infarction. J Psychosom Res. 2008;65(6):557-563.


Group Members

Jeff HuffmanJeff Huffman, MD, is the Director of the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program (CPRP) and a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS). He currently serves as principal investigator for over ten projects and has been awarded grants from the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, the Templeton Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health (NHLBI, NINR, and NIDDK). He has approximately 200 peer-reviewed publications, and has mentored post-doctoral psychology fellows, junior psychiatrist and psychologist faculty, medical students, psychiatry residents, research fellows, psychologists, social workers, and he received the 2017 MGH Psychiatry Outstanding Research Mentor Award and the 2019 HMS Stuart Hauser Mentorship Award. His areas of interest include the impact of psychiatric illness on patients with cardiac disease, and the development and use of positive psychological interventions in a wide range of populations.


Christopher Celano

Christopher Celano, MD, is an attending psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and the Associate Director of the CPRP. He is the Principal Investigator of Reach for Health, an R01-funded trial to examine the efficacy of a psychological intervention to improve health behaviors in patients with heart failure, and he serves as the project director of health behavior trials in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes and collaborative care interventions for depression and anxiety disorders in patients with heart disease. He has published over 90 articles and has received funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Harvard Medical School, and the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness. His areas of interest include the impact of depression and anxiety on cardiac health, the use of technology to deliver health behavior interventions, and the promotion of positive psychological well-being and health behavior adherence.


Scott Beach

Scott Beach, MD, is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is Program Director for the MGH/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency and an attending psychiatrist on the consultation service at MGH. He is currently PI of a study investigating neuroimaging and gene expression in patients with catatonia prior to and following lysis with lorazepam, and an active co-investigator on multiple projects. He has published over 50 book chapters and peer-reviewed articles on topics including QTc prolongation with psychotropic medications, catatonia, and deception syndromes.


James Januzzi

James Januzzi, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Harvard Medical School, and the Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a well-established researcher at Mass General with over 300 peer-reviewed research publications, over 100 review articles and chapters, and has edited three text books. He is internationally known as an expert in the study of biomarkers in patients with heart failure and other cardiac illnesses, and has served as a section editor on the recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines for heart failure, and was the lead for the heart failure section for the Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction Global Task Force. He has served as the primary cardiologist on projects for the CPRP for the past nine years, including collaborative care depression and anxiety management trials in hospitalized cardiac patients, and studies of positive psychological states in persons with heart disease.


Brian Healy, PhD

Brian Healy, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, a member of the Biostatistics Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an Instructor in Biostatistics at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Healy is also the lead biostatistician for the Mass General Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center, which is affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital. His primary research interest is statistical methods development and application for modeling of multiple sclerosis. He has been working with the CPRP for the past 5 years, and he has participated in the design and analysis of several studies.


Rachel Miilstein, PhD

Rachel Millstein, PhD, MHS, is a clinical psychologist at MGH and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is the recipient of a National Institutes of Health K23 award to develop a multilevel positive psychology intervention to promote health behaviors, in particular physical activity, among patients with metabolic syndrome. Her research focuses on chronic disease prevention and management, and the intersection of emotions and health. Rachel has authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in these fields. Her clinical interests include evidence-based therapies, positive psychology, lifestyle behavior change, and mindfulness techniques for improving mood, anxiety, and well-being.


Emily Feig

Emily Feig, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at MGH and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. She is a recipient of a K23 award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop and test a physical activity intervention for patients who have had bariatric surgery. Her research interests focus on better understanding and addressing internalized weight bias, and on improving adherence to health behaviors in individuals with obesity-related chronic disease. Clinically, Emily specializes in cognitive behavioral and acceptance-based therapies targeting anxiety, depression, and disordered eating.


Christina Massey

Christina Massey, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at MGH and Instructor at Harvard Medical School. She joined the CPRP in 2017 and is primarily an interventionist for ongoing studies looking to increase physical activity in individuals with a variety of health difficulties and psychosocial stressors. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a specialization in forensic psychology at The Graduate Center, CUNY at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and her doctoral internship at MGH.  In addition to the CPRP, she is a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program and the Rapid Access Psychiatry team. Her clinical and research interests include evidence-based treatments, diagnostic and forensic assessment and evaluation, and facilitating lasting behavioral changes to promote overall well-being.


Wei-Jean Chung, PhD

Wei-Jean Chung, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at MGH and Instructor at Harvard Medical School. She received her doctoral training in clinical psychology at Adelphi University prior to completing her doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at MGH. She is currently an interventionist for ongoing studies at the CPRP. In addition to her involvement with the CPRP, she is the Co-Director of Primary Care Psychiatry. Her clinical practice involves caring for people with serious mental illness and complex personality organization across multiple clinical services within MGH Psychiatry, including Primary Care Psychiatry, the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Team, and the MGH inpatient psychiatry service.


Madva headhot

Elizabeth Madva, MD is an Associate Program Director for the MGH/McLean Psychiatry Residency, a co-director of the residency’s Clinician Educator Program, and supervisor of PGY3 residents in the MGH resident clinic. Her clinical and research expertise is in functional and somatic syndromes, with a special focus on disorders of gut-brain interaction, which she treats in an embedded GI psychiatry clinic at MGH.  Her research is supported by the Dupont Warren and Livingston Fellowship Awards through Harvard Medical School.


Hermioni L. AmonoHermioni L. Amonoo, MD, MPP, is a physician-scientist and staff physician the Departments of Psychiatry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). She is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Associate Training Director of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital-Harvard Medical School Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program. Dr. Amonoo’s program of research aims to understand the wellbeing needs of vulnerable cancer populations, especially those with hematologic malignancies undergoing stem cell transplantation, to inform the development of novel psychological and digital interventions for patients with cancer and their caregivers. Her research has been consistently funded by Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Brigham Research Institute, National Cancer Institute (K08 career development award), the Oppenheimer Family Foundation, American Society for Hematology, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. At the CPRP, she is also an active co-investigator for various trials and projects including TOTAL Health and PEACE.


Margaret Bell

Margaret C. Bell, RN, MPH, MS, works as a nurse care manager in the CPRP’s Total Health Study, a blended care intervention trial for patients with comorbid heart disease and mood or anxiety disorders. She also is part of the Text 4 Health Study encouraging participants to achieve their desired health goals! Margaret is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from Boston College in 1994. Her work at Boston College jettisoned her into the world of research and included publications on Russian immigrant adjustment, effect of post-partum depression on mother-child interaction and domestic violence in pregnant women. She has worked in health care in Jerusalem, Amsterdam, New York, New Hampshire and Boston as a public health nurse, student health nurse, post eye surgery nurse and psychiatric nurse. For 20 years she monitored and managed NIH multi-site research trials in hepatology and cardiac research. This current position combines her love of research and her enthusiasm for helping people find their healthy path in life.


Karen RosenblumKaren Rosenblum, RN, BSN, CARN, MBA, is a research nurse at the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program. She works as an interventionist, incorporating motivational interviewing and positive psychology on several studies including PEACE and BEHOLD that look to increase physical activity in individuals with varying health conditions. Karen is a registered nurse who has spent the past 30+ years of her career at MGH. Her work at MGH included several years as a professional nurse recruiter as well as more than 25 years as a nurse on the inpatient psychiatry unit. She then became one of the first nurses to hold the Attending RN position, which she pioneered on her inpatient unit as part of an innovation project. Before coming to MGH, she worked as a nurse at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago in adolescent and adult psychiatry. Karen holds an MBA in Healthcare Management and a BSN from the University of Rochester. She is a certified addictions nurse and she is working to complete her 200-hour yoga teacher training. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family.


Sadlonova headshotMonika Sadlonova, MD, is research fellow at the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program and Harvard Medical School. She graduated from the fellowship program in psychosomatic consultation-liaison service (´Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy´) at University of Göttingen Medical Centre in Germany in 2020, where she served as staff physician in psychosomatic consultation-liaison service at the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (Prof. I. Kutschka) and co-investigator in multicenter TEACH clinical trial (PI - Prof. C. Herrmann-Lingen, ´Blended collaborative care in distressed patients with chronic coronary heart disease´). She obtained training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Lou-Andreas-Salomé Institute in Göttingen, Germany. She is currently in charge of medical data collection and participant screening for a study on a collaborative care intervention for patients with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure with psychiatric comorbidities, as well as for positive psychology interventions for individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. Her clinical and research interests fall within the areas of psychosomatic medicine / consultation-liaison psychiatry, with special interests in psychiatric symptoms, psychological interventions, and delirium prevention arising in the context of cardiac surgery and cardiology.


Daskalakis headshotLiz Daskalakis, BA, graduated magna cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in May 2021 with a double major in Psychology and English. She works on projects at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) with Dr. Hermioni Amonoo, a co-investigator at the CPRP. Liz works on positive psychology studies to improve quality of life in patients with hematologic malignancies who have recently undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and their caregivers. Liz is the primary study interventionist for the patient’s caregivers. She also recruits participants at BWH for the Total Health study, a collaborative care intervention for patients with comorbid heart disease and mood or anxiety disorders. Prior to working with the CPRP, Liz interned at McLean Hospital in the Cognition and Affect Research and Education (CARE) Lab working on research with patients in McLean’s Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program.

Crystal CastilloCrystal Castillo, BS, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2019, with a degree in Clinical Psychology. She joined the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program (CPRP) in April of 2022, as the primary Research Coordinator for the MAPP study (a PP-MI behavioral intervention for patients with symptoms of metabolic syndrome), the GOALS study (a positive psychology intervention for patients who have recently had bariatric surgery), and the WISH study (a positive psychology intervention for patients with irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]). In addition to her role at the CPRP, Crystal works with the MGH Multicultural Alzheimer’s Prevention Program, working to understand the development of Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and the prevention of cognitive decline, through culturally informed memory assessments, biomarker research and lifestyle interventions.


Rebecca KarlsonRebecca Karlson, BS, is the primary research coordinator for the Total Health Study (pragmatic collaborative care for cardiac inpatients with anxiety and depression). She also helps recruit for the REACH IV, PEACE V, and BEHOLD RCT studies. Rebecca graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in May 2022 with a degree in neuroscience. Before joining the CPRP, Rebecca worked as an intern with the Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program at MGH and was a student visitor in the Javaras lab at McLean Hospital; her research with these groups involved neuroimaging studies that focused on individuals with eating disorders. 


Lily JacobsonLily Jacobson, BS, BA, is the primary research coordinator for the Text4Health study (a text message intervention designed to help patients with cardiac risk factors engage in health behaviors), and the MASTERY study (a positive psychology intervention to promote physical activity in midlife adults). She also recruits and administers study questionnaires for Total Health, GOALS, REACH IV, PEACE V, and BEHOLD. Lily graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Rochester in May 2022, where she double majored in Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Psychology.


Nikita AcharyaNikita Acharya, MA, BA, is a clinical research coordinator at the CPRP. She attended the University of California, Berkeley where she got a dual bachelors degree in Psychology and Sociology. She then went on to attend Boston University where she got her Master’s degree in Psychology. She previously worked as a medical assistant and surgery coordinator at a corneal ophthalmology clinic in Oakland, CA. She is currently the lead research coordinator on the REACH IV study, a randomized controlled trial that is looking at the efficacy of a phone and text-messaged based positive psychology and motivational interviewing intervention on helping patients with heart failure to adhere to beneficial health behaviors.


Taylor ClaarTaylor Claar, BA, graduated cum laude from the University of California, Riverside, in June 2022 with a degree in psychology. She was the lead research assistant in the Leadership and Group Dynamics (LGD) lab at UCR, where her undergraduate research focused on topics such as leadership, followership, and unconscious processes and biases. Taylor is the primary research coordinator for the PEACE V study, a randomized controlled trial of a psychological-behavioral intervention to promote physical activity in patients with acute coronary syndrome, and recruits for the Total Health, REACH IV, and BEHOLD RCT studies.


Tim SongTim Song, BA, is the primary research coordinator for the BEHOLD study, a novel psychological-behavioral intervention to promote physical activity in type 2 diabetes), and recruits for the Total Health, REACH IV, and PEACE V studies. He graduated from Amherst College in 2022 with a double major in Neuroscience and Music and a 5 College Certificate in Culture, Health, and Science. He previously worked during college at the Wellbeing and Emotion Change Lab and Queer Resource Center, completed a senior project in how music and culture shape mental health, and interned at Fenway Health with the Medical Case Management team.


Daniel WeberDaniel Weber, BS, graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University in 2022 where he studied clinical psychology, political science, and economics. He is the primary research coordinator for the SOM-24 study and recruits inpatient participants for the Total Health, REACH, and PEACE studies at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He also reviews charts and recruits outpatient participants for the BEHOLD study. Before joining the CPRP, Daniel worked as an intern with the Geriatric Psychiatry Research Program at McLean Hospital and as a research assistant with the Tufts University Social Cognition Lab.


Arroyo-Ariza headshotDaniel Arroyo-Ariza, MD, is a research fellow at the CPRP. He attended Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, where he obtained his dual degree as MD and industrial engineer. He is currently supporting recruitment for some randomized control trials at the CPRP and contributes to writing manuscripts for publications. He is passionate about interventions aimed at promoting healthy behaviors to prevent chronic diseases. He intends to apply for residency training in internal medicine in the future.


Rojas headshotAlexandra Rojas, MD, is a research fellow in the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She obtained her medical degree at Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia and is currently completing training in the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research program at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Healh. Her main interests are the mind-body interface and the impact of positive psychological states and health behaviors in patients with chronic diseases. She is in charge of medical data collection and participant screening for a study on a collaborative care intervention for patients with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure with psychiatric comorbidities, as well as for positive psychology interventions for individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. She intends to pursue psychiatry residency in the future.  

Alba Carillo

Alba Carrillo, PhD, is a postdoctoral external consultant. She received her doctoral training in psychology research at the University of Valencia (Spain), where she obtained an international and cum laude grade for her PhD. She also holds two MA degrees in psychotherapy. Additionally, she has more than 120 hours of teaching experience at the University of Valencia, and more than 5 years of clinical experience as a therapist. Her research interests lie in the field of Positive Psychology and, more specifically, she focuses on the use of Information and Communication Technologies to deliver and enhance Positive Psychology Interventions.


Francisco J. BarreraFrancisco J. Barrera, MD, MS, is a research fellow at the CPRP. He obtained his Medical Doctor degree at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico and his Master of Science Degree in Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. At the CPRP, he is currently in charge of participant screening in the REACH IV randomized clinical trial, processing several databases for analytical purposes, collaborating in a cost-effectiveness project derived from the Total Health randomized clinical trial, and working in a systematic review assessing the existent body of evidence related to anxiety treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease. He is interested in using epidemiological methods to understand better the psychiatric disorders and develop novel interventions to improve clinical outcomes. He is also interested in health disparities within psychiatry. 


Pia Maria GhanimePia Maria Ghanimé, MD, is a research fellow at the CPRP. She attended the American University of Beirut (AUB, Lebanon) where she obtained her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology and M.D. She is currently in charge of reviewing inpatient charts and identifying potentially eligible participants for TOTAL HEALTH, REACH IV, and PEACE V. She is also in charge of reviewing outpatient charts and screening potentially eligible participants over the phone for REACH IV. She is interested in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry with a special interest in Psychiatric Oncology. Before joining the CPRP, Pia worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC, Lebanon) where she completed a one-year program of mini-workshops and seminars on research skills and competencies at the Clinical Research Institute (CRI). She plans on pursuing a residency training in Psychiatry.


Joyce Meza VenegasJoyce Meza Venegas, MD, is a research fellow at the CPRP. She graduated from Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil in Ecuador where she obtained the highest GPA of all medical graduates. She is currently completing a course in Clinical Research at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health where she is working on a systematic review to assess the efficacy of probiotics on major depressive disorder. At the CPRP, she is in charge of medical data collection and participant screening for a study on a collaborative care intervention for patients with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure with psychiatric comorbidities. Her areas of interest include psychosomatic medicine, community health care and mind-body interface. Before joining this group, Joyce practiced as a primary care physician in the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. She is applying for psychiatry residency training in the current match season.


Andres RamirezAndres Ramirez, MD, is a research fellow in the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He obtained his medical degree at Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, and has recently been accepted to participate in the "Design and Conduct Clinical Trial" course given by MGH. He is currently in charge of medical data collection and participant screening for REACH IV, Total Health, Mastery, MAPP, PEACE and BEHOLD studies. During his years at medical school and beyond he has had the opportunity to work on research projects and train skills in echocardiography. Before joining this group, Andres practiced as a physician in the Colombian countryside where he could make health interventions for vulnerable populations. He intends to apply for residency training in internal medicine in the future.


group photo
First CPRP Fall 2022 Lunch with Friends

Collaborators

Mass General Faculty

Dr. Elyse Park (qualitative research and motivational interviewing): Mongan Institute for Health Policy

Dr. Andrés Bedoya (behavioral interventions)

Dr. Hanna Gaggin (cardiology)

Dr. Nasrien Ibrahim (cardiology)

Dr. Bettina Hoeppner (technology use for behavior change), Recovery Research Institute

Dr. Amy Sarma (cardiology)

Dr. Deborah Wexler (endocrinology), Diabetes Clinical Research Center

Mary Larkin, MS, (endocrinology) Diabetes Clinical Research Center


External Collaborators

Dr. Matthew Nock, (prediction and prevention of suicide/self-harm), Department of Psychology, Harvard University

Dr. Linda Collins, (novel methods of optimizing and evaluating multicomponent behavioral interventions), The Methodology Center, Penn State University

Dr. Todd Kashdan, (positive psychology and interventions to increase well-being), The Center for Consciousness & Transformation, George Mason University

Dr. Julia Boehm, (positive psychology), Department of Psychology, Chapman University

Bruce Rollman (treatment of depression and anxiety in cardiac patients), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Dr. Steven Safren, Department of Psychology, University of Miami

Dr. Evan Kleiman, (identifying risk and resilience factors for suicide,) Department of Psychology, Rutgers University

Dr. Laura Kubzansky and the Lee Kum Shueng Health and Happiness Center


Alumni

Medical Students:

Gillian Sowden
Chris Doughty
Christina Carr
Kirsti Campbell
Sean Legler


Residents:

Curtis Wittmann
Amy Taylor
Leah Bauer
Keri Oxley
Michael Soule


Faculty/Fellows:

Felicia Smith
Andres Caro
Trina Chang
Giselle Perez-Lougee
Oriana Vesga-Lopez
Laura Suarez
Ana Claudia Villegas
Federico Gomez
Caitlin Adams
Juan Pablo Ospina
Laura Duque-Serrano
Franklin King
Perla Romero
Juan David Sossa
Henry Onyeaka
Juliana Zambrano


Research Coordinators:

Marguerite Beiser
Rita Seabrook
Shannon Moore
Emma Lenihan
Tina DuBois
Ellie Beale
Ari Albanese
Margot Barclay
Diana Smith
Melanie Freedman
Julia Golden
Carlyn Scheu
Sonia Kim
Regina Longley
Olivia Velasquez
Lauren Harnedy
Jane Jurayj
Audrey Kelly


Social Work and Nursing Interventionists:

Rachel Rodman
Stephanie Mahnks
Meaghan Morrison
Beth Pino-Mauch
Rafaela Dos Santos
Maggie Ford
Sophie Staton


Special thanks: Our work has also been generously supported by the esteemed Avery D. Weisman, MD, of the eponymous Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Consultation Service and a long-standing national leader in psychosomatic medicine. His support has allowed the CPRP to continue to investigate the associations between positive and negative emotional states and physical health and well-being, and we are forever indebted.