National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Adverse Events (1)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Anxiety (2)
- Behavioral Health (5)
- Cancer (3)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Caregiving (2)
- Care Management (1)
- Depression (4)
- Diabetes (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
- Emergency Department (2)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (1)
- Genetics (1)
- Healthcare Costs (1)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Health Status (1)
- Hospital Discharge (1)
- Low-Income (1)
- Medical Errors (1)
- Medication (1)
- Neurological Disorders (3)
- Newborns/Infants (2)
- Outcomes (2)
- Pain (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Safety (2)
- Pregnancy (2)
- Prevention (1)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Health Personnel (1)
- Provider: Physician (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (2)
- (-) Stress (21)
- Stroke (1)
- Substance Abuse (1)
- Surgery (3)
- Tobacco Use (1)
- Tools & Toolkits (1)
- Training (1)
- Women (2)
- Young Adults (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 21 of 21 Research Studies DisplayedKelley C, Lee B, Wilcox L
Self-tracking for mental wellness: understanding expert perspectives and student experiences.
Recent studies with college student populations have examined the feasibility of collecting everyday mood, activity, and social data. However, these studies do not account for students' experiences and challenges adopting self-tracking technologies to support mental wellness goals. In this paper, the authors present two studies conducted to better understand self-tracking for stress management and mental wellness in student populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS021393.
Citation: Kelley C, Lee B, Wilcox L .
Self-tracking for mental wellness: understanding expert perspectives and student experiences.
Proc SIGCHI Conf Hum Factor Comput Syst 2017 May 2;2017:629-41. doi: 10.1145/3025453.3025750..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Stress, Young Adults
Sawchuk CN, Roy-Byrne P, Noonan C
Panic attacks and panic disorder in the American Indian community.
The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology, clinical features, and comorbidities of panic attacks and panic disorder in two large American Indian tribes. It found that the prevalence and clinical features of panic attacks and panic disorder in American Indians were similar to epidemiologic studies with majority populations. However, in contrast to earlier research, panic symptoms were similar in both males and females, and different patterns of comorbidity emerged.
AHRQ-funded; HS010854.
Citation: Sawchuk CN, Roy-Byrne P, Noonan C .
Panic attacks and panic disorder in the American Indian community.
J Anxiety Disord 2017 May;48:6-12. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.10.004.
.
.
Keywords: Anxiety, Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stress
Krishnan S, York MK, Backus D
Coping with caregiver burnout when caring for a person with neurodegenerative disease: a guide for caregivers.
It is important for you to know if you have caregiver burnout, or the common triggers that may cause your burnout. By recognizing and addressing these factors, you will be able to take healthy and manageable control over your caregiver duties. The authors offer a number of specific recommendations to relieve caregiver stress and burden.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Krishnan S, York MK, Backus D .
Coping with caregiver burnout when caring for a person with neurodegenerative disease: a guide for caregivers.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2017 Apr;98(4):805-07. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.11.002.
.
.
Keywords: Caregiving, Neurological Disorders, Stress
Curtin CM, Kenney D, Suarez P
A double-blind placebo randomized controlled trial of minocycline to reduce pain after carpal tunnel and trigger finger release.
This trial tested whether perioperative administration of minocycline reduced time to pain resolution (TPR) after standardized hand surgeries with known prolonged pain profiles: carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release. It found that oral administration of minocycline did not reduce TPR after minor hand surgery. There was evidence that minocycline might increase length of pain in those with increased posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
AHRQ-funded; HS024096.
Citation: Curtin CM, Kenney D, Suarez P .
A double-blind placebo randomized controlled trial of minocycline to reduce pain after carpal tunnel and trigger finger release.
J Hand Surg Am 2017 Mar;42(3):166-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2016.12.011.
.
.
Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Medication, Pain, Stress, Surgery
Musey PI, Jr., Kline JA
Emergency department cardiopulmonary evaluation of low-risk chest pain patients with self-reported stress and anxiety.
This study aimed to was to measure the frequency of self-identified stress or anxiety among chest pain patients, and compare their pretest probabilities, care processes, and outcomes. It concluded that without prompting, 8 percent of patients self-identified "stress" or "anxiety" as the etiology for their chest pain. Most had low pretest probability, were over-investigated for acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism and not investigated for anxiety syndromes.
AHRQ-funded; HS018519.
Citation: Musey PI, Jr., Kline JA .
Emergency department cardiopulmonary evaluation of low-risk chest pain patients with self-reported stress and anxiety.
J Emerg Med 2017 Mar;52(3):273-79. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.11.022.
.
.
Keywords: Anxiety, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Pain, Stress
Stefanidis D, Anton NE, Howley LD
Effectiveness of a comprehensive mental skills curriculum in enhancing surgical performance: results of a randomized controlled trial.
The researchers hypothesized that the implementation of a novel mental skills curriculum (MSC) during laparoscopic simulator training would improve mental skills and performance, and decrease stress. They found that, compared to controls, the intervention group significantly improved their mental skill use, demonstrated higher laparoscopic skill improvement during retention, and reported less stress during the transfer test.
AHRQ-funded; HS022080.
Citation: Stefanidis D, Anton NE, Howley LD .
Effectiveness of a comprehensive mental skills curriculum in enhancing surgical performance: results of a randomized controlled trial.
Am J Surg 2017 Feb;213(2):318-24. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.10.016.
.
.
Keywords: Surgery, Training, Stress, Patient Safety
Ramchand R, Ayer L, Kotzias V
Suicide risk among women veterans in distress: perspectives of responders on the veterans crisis line.
The researchers used a qualitative approach to gain insight about the concerns and nature of comments regarding suicidal ideation and intent among women veterans calling the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). Interviewing 54 VCL call responders, the authors concluded that efforts to prevent and treat the consequences of military sexual trauma; to recognize, prevent, and treat non-suicidal self-harm; and to restrict access to lethal means most commonly reported among women veteran callers may be helpful to mitigate suicide risk in this vulnerable group of veterans.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Ramchand R, Ayer L, Kotzias V .
Suicide risk among women veterans in distress: perspectives of responders on the veterans crisis line.
Womens Health Issues 2016 Nov - Dec;26(6):667-73. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2016.07.005.
.
.
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Prevention, Stress, Women
Sumner JA, Khodneva Y, Muntner P
Effects of concurrent depressive symptoms and perceived stress on cardiovascular risk in low- and high-income participants: findings from the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.
Using data from the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, the authors examined associations among depressive symptoms and stress, alone and in combination, and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality as a function of socioeconomic status. They found that screening for a combination of elevated depressive symptoms and stress in low-income persons may help identify those at increased risk of incident CVD and mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Sumner JA, Khodneva Y, Muntner P .
Effects of concurrent depressive symptoms and perceived stress on cardiovascular risk in low- and high-income participants: findings from the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.
J Am Heart Assoc 2016 Oct 10;5(10). doi: 10.1161/jaha.116.003930.
.
.
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Depression, Social Determinants of Health, Stress, Stroke
Garfield CF, Simon CD, Rutsohn J
Paternal and maternal testosterone in parents of NICU infants transitioning home.
This study examined testosterone levels for parents of very low-birth-weight infants, including links between salivary testosterone and infant factors (such as breast-feeding), psychosocial stress, and changes over time. Using multilevel modeling approaches, the researchers reported significant associations between paternal testosterone by time and psychosocial adjustment and between both paternal and maternal testosterone and infant feeding mode.
AHRQ-funded; R21 HS020316.
Citation: Garfield CF, Simon CD, Rutsohn J .
Paternal and maternal testosterone in parents of NICU infants transitioning home.
J Perinat Neonatal Nurs 2016 Oct/Dec;30(4):349-58. doi: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000218.
.
.
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Stress, Caregiving, Hospital Discharge
Senders A, Sando K, Wahbeh H
Managing psychological stress in the multiple sclerosis medical visit: patient perspectives and unmet needs.
Psychological stress can negatively impact multiple sclerosis. To further understand how stress is addressed in the multiple sclerosis medical visit, 34 people with multiple sclerosis participated in focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed by inductive thematic analysis. The majority of participants did not discuss stress with their provider, citing barriers to communication such as lack of time, poor coordination between specialties, physician reliance on pharmaceutical prescription, and patient lack of self-advocacy. Participants recommended several ways to better manage psychological well-being in the clinical setting. These findings provide a foundation for future studies aimed at minimizing the detrimental effect of stress in multiple sclerosis.
AHRQ-funded; HS017582.
Citation: Senders A, Sando K, Wahbeh H .
Managing psychological stress in the multiple sclerosis medical visit: patient perspectives and unmet needs.
J Health Psychol 2016 Aug;21(8):1676-87. doi: 10.1177/1359105314562084.
.
.
Keywords: Care Management, Neurological Disorders, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Stress
Witt WP, Mandell KC, Wisk LE
Infant birthweight in the US: the role of preconception stressful life events and substance use.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among preconception stressful life events (PSLEs), women's alcohol and tobacco use before and during pregnancy, and infant birthweight. It concluded that PSLEs and women's tobacco use before and during pregnancy are independent risk factors for having a lower birthweight baby.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063; HS000083.
Citation: Witt WP, Mandell KC, Wisk LE .
Infant birthweight in the US: the role of preconception stressful life events and substance use.
Arch Womens Ment Health 2016 Jun;19(3):529-42. doi: 10.1007/s00737-015-0595-z.
.
.
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Pregnancy, Stress, Substance Abuse, Women
Kaplan RM, Milstein A
AHRQ Author: Kaplan RM
Financial strain and cancer outcomes.
This editorial discusses an article by Lathan et al. in the same issue that documents the strong associations between socioeconomic status and longevity. The editorial argues that many of the variables in that article are measured with error and, as a result, the multivariable analysis resulted in only partial adjustment. Two variables of particular importance, education and ethnicity, are discussed.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kaplan RM, Milstein A .
Financial strain and cancer outcomes.
J Clin Oncol 2016 May 20;34(15):1711-2. doi: 10.1200/jco.2016.66.8079.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Health Status, Healthcare Costs, Low-Income, Outcomes, Social Determinants of Health, Stress
Rhoten BA
Body image disturbance in adults treated for cancer - a concept analysis.
The author analyzed the concept of body image disturbance in adults who have been treated for cancer as a phenomenon of interest to nurses. Rhoten used Walker and Avant's 8-step method of concept analysis and concluded that a better understanding of body image disturbance in adults treated for cancer will assist nurses and other clinicians in identifying this phenomenon and will assist nurse scientists in developing instruments that accurately measure this condition, along with interventions that will promote a better quality of life for survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Rhoten BA .
Body image disturbance in adults treated for cancer - a concept analysis.
J Adv Nurs 2016 May;72(5):1001-11. doi: 10.1111/jan.12892.
.
.
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Cancer, Stress
Mathur MB, Epel E, Kind S
Perceived stress and telomere length: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and methodologic considerations for advancing the field.
The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between self-reported, perceived psychological stress (PS) and telomere length (TL). They found that increased PS was associated with a very small decrease in TL and that this relationship was similar between sexes. They concluded that the association may be stronger with known major stressors and is similar in magnitude to that noted between obesity and TL. The authors recommended that futre research assess for potential confounders and use longitudinal, multidimensional models of stress.
AHRQ-funded; HS019816.
Citation: Mathur MB, Epel E, Kind S .
Perceived stress and telomere length: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and methodologic considerations for advancing the field.
Brain Behav Immun 2016 May;54:158-69. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.02.002.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Genetics, Stress
Rocque GB, Taylor RA, Acemgil A
Guiding lay navigation in geriatric patients with cancer using a distress assessment tool.
This study assessed the feasibility and impact of using distress assessments to frame lay navigator interactions with geriatric patients with cancer who were enrolled in navigation between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014. It concluded that lay navigators were able to routinely screen for patient distress at a high degree of penetration using a structured distress assessment.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Rocque GB, Taylor RA, Acemgil A .
Guiding lay navigation in geriatric patients with cancer using a distress assessment tool.
J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2016 Apr;14(4):407-14.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer, Tools & Toolkits, Stress, Behavioral Health
Heberlein EC, Picklesimer AH, Billings DL
The comparative effects of group prenatal care on psychosocial outcomes.
This study compared the psychosocial outcomes of the CenteringPregnancy (CP) model of group prenatal care to individual prenatal care. It used a prospective cohort study of women who chose CP group or individual prenatal care. Among women with high pregnancy-specific distress in early pregnancy, group participants had an 8.3 percent greater increase in prenatal planning-preparation coping strategies in late pregnancy and a 4.9 percent greater decrease in postpartum depressive symptom scores.
AHRQ-funded; HS021975.
Citation: Heberlein EC, Picklesimer AH, Billings DL .
The comparative effects of group prenatal care on psychosocial outcomes.
Arch Womens Ment Health 2016 Apr;19(2):259-69. doi: 10.1007/s00737-015-0564-6.
.
.
Keywords: Pregnancy, Stress, Depression, Outcomes
Edrees H, Brock DM, Wu AW
The experiences of risk managers in providing emotional support for health care workers after adverse events.
The authors surveyed members of the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM) about their training, experience, competence, and comfort with providing emotional support to health care workers. Risk managers who were comfortable listening to and supporting health care workers were more likely to report prior training. Most respondents expressed a preference to receive additional training.
AHRQ-funded; HS019531.
Citation: Edrees H, Brock DM, Wu AW .
The experiences of risk managers in providing emotional support for health care workers after adverse events.
J Healthc Risk Manag 2016 Apr;35(4):14-21. doi: 10.1002/jhrm.21219.
.
.
Keywords: Adverse Events, Medical Errors, Stress, Patient Safety
Abdelrahman AM, Bingener J, Yu D
Impact of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) procedures on surgeon stress and workload: a randomized controlled trial.
The goal of this study was to compare surgeon stress and workload between single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). It concluded that surgeon heart rate, salivary cortisol level, instrument usability, and Surg-TLX ratings indicate that SILC is significantly more stressful and physically demanding than the CLC.
AHRQ-funded; HS023146.
Citation: Abdelrahman AM, Bingener J, Yu D .
Impact of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) procedures on surgeon stress and workload: a randomized controlled trial.
Surg Endosc 2016 Mar;30(3):1205-11. doi: 10.1007/s00464-015-4332-5.
.
.
Keywords: Provider, Provider: Physician, Stress, Surgery
Sawchuk CN, Roy-Byrne P, Noonan C
The association of panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depression with smoking in American Indians.
This survey asked whether lifetime panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depression were related to lifetime cigarette smoking in two geographically distinct American Indian tribes. It found that the odds of smoking were two times higher in Southwest participants with panic disorder and major depression, and 1.7 times higher in those with posttraumatic stress disorder, after controlling for sociodemographic variables.
AHRQ-funded; HS010854.
Citation: Sawchuk CN, Roy-Byrne P, Noonan C .
The association of panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depression with smoking in American Indians.
Nicotine Tob Res 2016 Mar;18(3):259-66. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntv071.
.
.
Keywords: Depression, Tobacco Use, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stress
Johnson TJ, Hickey RW, Switzer GE
The impact of cognitive stressors in the emergency department on physician implicit racial bias.
The researchers sought to determine if physicians have different levels of implicit racial bias post-ED shift versus preshift and to examine associations between demographics and cognitive stressors (e.g., fatigue, stress, time pressure, and complex decision-making) with bias. They concluded that resident implicit bias remained stable overall preshift to postshift, cognitive stressors (overcrowding and patient load) were associated with increased implicit bias.
AHRQ-funded; HS017587.
Citation: Johnson TJ, Hickey RW, Switzer GE .
The impact of cognitive stressors in the emergency department on physician implicit racial bias.
Acad Emerg Med 2016 Mar;23(3):297-305. doi: 10.1111/acem.12901.
.
.
Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Department, Stress, Provider: Health Personnel
Cummings DM, Kirian K, Howard G
Consequences of comorbidity of elevated stress and/or depressive symptoms and incident cardiovascular outcomes in diabetes: results from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.
The authors evaluated the impact of comorbid depressive symptoms and/or stress on adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in individuals with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. They concluded that comorbid stress and/or depressive symptoms are common in individuals with diabetes and together are associated with progressively increased risks for adverse CV outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Cummings DM, Kirian K, Howard G .
Consequences of comorbidity of elevated stress and/or depressive symptoms and incident cardiovascular outcomes in diabetes: results from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.
Diabetes Care 2016 Jan;39(1):101-9. doi: 10.2337/dc15-1174.
.
.
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Depression, Diabetes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Stress