UROP Project

Evaluating Brief Mind-Body Interventions for Pain and Anxiety in Orthopedic Care

mindfulness, breathwork, pain, anxiety, integrative medicine

Research Mentor: Adam Hanley,
Department, College, Affiliation: Complementary Health and Innovation Lab, Nursing
Contact Email: adam.hanley@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Carter Minnick
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: cm25bo@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Kennedi Childs
Faculty Collaborators Email: kc24bf@fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: 2605 Welaunee Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Tuesday, September 2
  Start Time: 2:30
  End Time: 3:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92355600117
• Day: Wednesday, September 3
  Start Time: 2:30
  End Time: 3:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95634966670

Project Description

This research program explores how mind-body interventions, like mindfulness and breathwork, can reduce pain and anxiety for patients at the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic. As a UROP student, you’ll play a hands-on role: inviting patients waiting for an x-ray to take part in a study and guiding them through a brief (<5 minute) tablet-based intervention. Over the academic year, we’ll run multiple randomized controlled trials, and you’ll be part of the full research process—from data collection to dissemination. All participating UROP students will be credited as co-authors on peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Research Tasks: As a UROP student, you’ll help recruit and guide patients through brief tablet-based mind-body interventions, collect and manage study data, conduct literature reviews, contribute to manuscripts and presentations, and, if interested, assist with psychophysiological data collection.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Required skills include confidence in approaching and engaging with strangers, strong interpersonal communication, the ability to work independently, strong critical thinking, effective prioritization and problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Recommended: Recommended skills include experience in a clinical setting, a personal mindfulness practice, knowledge of integrative medicine, familiarity with clinical trial design and methodology.