Current Studies

The BMHO lab focuses on understanding the underlying psychosocial, sociocultural, and biobehavioral mechanisms of chronic disease processes and health outcomes. The four themes of inquiry include Behavioral and Psychosocial Processes in Health Outcomes, Sociocultural Determinants of Health, Biobehavioral Mechanisms & Chronic Disease Management Interventions. Research involves prospective observational studies, community-based approaches, and technology-based interventions. Most studies incorporate a biobehavioral component, with emphasis on endocrine regulation, inflammatory and angiogenic pathways, immunocompetence, and gene x environment interactions. Recent intervention work focuses on health systems, e/mHealth platforms, precision oncology, and value-based cancer care delivery. Our lab uses ecosocial and biobehavioral approaches, CBT and stress management interventions, technology implementation, translational and team science, and advanced statistical methods to advance our research.

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  • Avanzando Caminos (Leading Pathways)

    The purpose of this research is to understand how different factors (e.g. social, cultural, psychosocial, medical, biological) contribute to Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors’ outcomes including symptoms after treatment and quality of life.

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  • eHealth Mindfulness-based Music Therapy Intervention for Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

    This study is a National Cancer Institute sponsored study for the purpose of assisting us to make improvements to an online mindfulness-based music therapy (eMBMT) and mindfulness meditation (eMM) programs for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Specifically, we are asking for feedback on these two programs through focus groups and individual sessions. In the future, a randomized controlled trial will be conducted upon completing the first phase.

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  • Health Gatherings – For your health after prostate cancer (Encuentros de Salud)

    The program will study emotions, stress, and stress management techniques (such as relaxation and coping techniques) on quality of life, anxiety, depression, and physical health in Spanish-speaking, Hispanic/Latino men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

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  • Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

    The Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a multi-center epidemiologic study in Hispanic/Latino populations to assess the role of acculturation in the prevalence and development of disease, and to identify factors playing a protective or harmful role in the health of Hispanics/Latinos. The target population of 16,000 persons of Hispanic/Latino origin, specifically Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, and Central/South American, were recruited through four Field Centers in Miami, San Diego, Chicago and the Bronx area of New York.

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  • Mi Salud Dia a Dia

    The purpose of this study is to is to evaluate how Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) targets (e.g., anxiety reduction, cognitive reappraisal, coping, emotional expression, communication skills, social support) operate through Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) measures and influence dyadic adjustment and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Prostate Cancer (PC) survivors and spouses/partners, in addition to physiologic adaptation and symptom burden in PC survivors.

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  • Pancreatic Cancer and Quality of Life Study

    The Pancreatic Cancer and Quality of Life Study evaluates an eHealth intervention designed improve quality of life and reduce the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer. This study is made up of two phases. Phase one includes a focus group designed to learn more about the unmet needs’ pancreatic cancer survivors face before and after treatment. Phase two examines the effects of a 10-week online stress management intervention, both before and after completing primary treatment for pancreatic cancer.

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  • My Wellbeing Guide: A Novel Tool for Managing Stress and Improving Quality of Life

    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of My Cancer Support, an online tool that provides uniquely tailored educational content and coping strategies to patients experiencing mood changes following their diagnosis with cancer. The results of the study may help enhance the quality of life of cancer patients.

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  • Ovarian Cancer and Treatment-Related Symptoms

    The Trial of Exercise and Lifestyle (TEAL) Study is a National Cancer Institute-sponsored study for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer survivors at University of Miami and Yale University. Many ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience symptoms due to chemotherapy toxicities that can lead to a decrease or delay in treatments. This study will explore the effects of an 18-week medical nutrition and exercise therapy program during chemotherapy for ovarian cancer patients to improve chemotherapy completion and quality of life.

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  • Living Well

    The purpose of this research study is to compare how two different kinds of intervention programs made for ovarian cancer survivors can help to improve quality of life and well-being and reduce distress. The programs will be delivered in a group using the web, and participants can access the programs from their homes. We will compare the effects of a stress management and coping program (Mindful Living) with a program encouraging healthy lifestyles (Healthy Lifestyles) on quality of life, distress, and well-being.

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  • SmartManage: Cancer and HIV Quality of Life Study

    The SmartManage study is testing different ways to reduce stress and improve health related quality of life for men who have sex with men who have completed primary cancer treatment and are HIV positive. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a 10-week online health promotions program or a 10-week group intervention led by a therapist. The intervention focuses on topics important to gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men, who are managing HIV and cancer together.

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  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Access to Care (LyLAC) Study

    This Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored study is for patients with a current diagnosis or relapse of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) at the University of Miami, the University of Chicago, and the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Some blood cancer patients face social, economic, and environmental disadvantages that stand in the way of being able to get the treatment and care they need. Over the course of 6 months, this study will explore the effects of enhanced supportive services on patients with blood cancer.

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  • Families And Lung Cancer Outcomes Network (FALCON) Study

    This project is aiming to better understand the relationship between ethnicity and lung cancer health outcomes. The study is an observational study in which lung cancer patients will be enrolled through different cancer center sites across the Unites States and will be asked to complete several questionnaires (participant self-report).

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  • Firefighter Cancer Survivorship Program

    The purpose of this study is for investigators to develop cancer survivorship education modules, including videos, for cancer survivors

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  • COVID-19 and Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Survivors

    We want to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted your quality of life. This survey is about your experience regarding the pandemic including testing, risks of exposure, whether people you know have acquired COVID-19, and questions on how the pandemic has impacted your quality of life.

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