Within the Division, Dr. Gloria Yeh leads a program of mind-body and integrative medicine research.
Integrative medicine is a healing-oriented approach that considers the entire person- encompassing cross-systems physiology, bio-psycho-social, and lifestyle aspects of health- and incorporates the best evidence-based conventional and complementary therapies to achieve whole health. Mind-body interventions focus on the interactions between the mind, body, and behavior, and on the ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health. Mind-body interventions are a diverse group of practices, including mindfulness-based therapies, meditation, and mindful movement practices like tai chi, yoga, and qigong.
The Division's Mind-Body Research Program has contributed significantly to our understanding of how mindful movement exercises, like tai chi, can impact patients with chronic disease. Current work by Dr. Gloria Yeh and Dr. Kristen Kraemer has centered around those with cardiorespiratory conditions (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure), cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular risk factors (acute coronary syndrome, hypertension, metabolic syndrome). Interests include assessment of cross-population outcomes (quality of life, physical activity, depression, chronic pain, sleep), probing physiological and psychosocial mechanisms of mind-body interactions (heart rate variability/complexity, inflammatory biomarkers, and cognitive-emotional and behavior change indices such as self-efficacy), and understanding the component effects of multi-modal mind-body therapies (e.g., physical exercise vs. meditation vs. slow breathing).
Learn more about the Integrative Medicine Research Fellowship.