Project description

MENOGAP: Integrative self-care and group medical care for women in the Menopausal Transition. The Taylor-Swanson lab is developing an Integrative Medical Group Visit (IMGV) intervention for women in the menopausal transition (MT). Did you know that some women would rather die sooner than have their worst menopausal transition symptoms for an additional 30 days? Seriously. This time of life is, for 70% of individuals with a uterus/ovaries, a time of hot flashes and night sweats. Some also experience cognitive challenges, increased pain, disturbed sleep, anxiety, depression, and other problems with mood. These symptoms are termed a ‘symptom cluster’ and the Lab is developing an intervention that will combine group medical care (med management, health screenings such as mammograms and Pap smears, education about the MT, and integrative health self-care (mindfulness, meditation, acupressure). We hypothesize that the intervention will help women better manage their symptoms, empower women with education and self-care. Further, we aim to develop an intervention that supports women in this normal developmental change (thus taking a developmental psychology and lifespan approach). Ultimately, Dr. Taylor-Swanson aims to develop interventions that help women not only survive but thrive as they transform into their post-menopausal selves. Research Assistants (RAs) are asked to attend 1-2 times per month lab meetings with doctoral students and graduate RAs. It will be a fun and engaging collegial conversation on scientific topics. We will read and discuss relevant scholarly literature in addition conducting to project management discussions. RA duties will include working (1) on a literature review, and (2) intervention development in collaboration with a diverse group of midlife women who comprise our Community Advisory Board (CAB). Must complete CITI training before engaging in any lab activities. Contact Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson for more information (Lisa.Taylor-swanson@nurs.utah.edu).

Key words: Neuroscience; acupuncture; menopausal transition; patient-centered research; integrative health; Community Advisory Board