Current Projects

REST to Overcome loss and REduce Risk (RESTore)

Study Description: The purpose of the study is to develop and pilot test a targeted intervention for individuals who experience sleep disturbance following the loss of their spouse/partner. Losing a spouse may have detrimental effects on a person’s mental and physical health, especially in relation to cardiovascular disease. Our goal is to create a program that will support bereaved individuals during this challenging time.

RESTore (Phase I)

Our research team conducted a series of focus groups with individuals who had recently lost their spouse or long-term partner. We asked them about the sleep challenges they faced and what they thought would be most helpful in an intervention designed to support people in situations like theirs.

RESTore Plus (Phase II)

During the second phase of our study, RESTore Plus, we are testing a behavioral intervention for sleep disturbance among individuals who have recently lost a spouse. We are examining whether our intervention is feasible and acceptable in this vulnerable population, and we are beginning to explore whether the intervention results in changes in levels of sleep disturbance, quality of life, and inflammation (an immune marker that is closely associated with cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions).

To qualify for this study, participants:

Were 18 years or older
Had recently lost a spouse/partner
Were experiencing some sleep issues
Were comfortable speaking, reading, and writing in English

Participant Activities

RESTore Plus participants were asked to do the following:

Take part in 2 in-person research visits, about 8 weeks apart, each lasting approx. 60 minutes. These visits will take place in our research clinic on the downtown Northwestern campus (680 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611).
Provide a fasting blood draw at each in-person visit
Undergo temperature and blood pressure readings and basic body measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference)
Attend videoconference sessions over Zoom (either 1 or 6 sessions, lasting approx. 45 minutes each, depending on the study group into which you are randomized). During these sessions, participants and a trained facilitator will discuss information related to sleep, health, stress, and loss.
Track their sleep at home by wearing a special watch provided by the study
Complete a set of questionnaires about sleep and mood

Participant Compensation

Participants were compensated up to $130 for their time and effort. They also received travel reimbursement (up to $10 and a parking pass, if needed) for the in-person visits.

This federally funded project is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Grant #: 5K01HL149987-02

IRB #: STU00212514

Recruitment for RESTore Plus is now closed. Thank you to everyone who enrolled!

If you would like to learn more, please email us at restore@northwestern.edu.

Alternatively, you may also contact Jessica, the Research Project Coordinator, at jessica.thomas@northwestern.edu or (312) 503-0552.

Health Effects After Loss (HEAL)

The Health Effects After Loss (HEAL) study (Northwestern IRB number: STU00219696) was designed with the purpose of examining the association between spousal bereavement and mental and physical health. With your help, we hope to better understand the health effects of losing a spouse so we can ultimately develop tailored and effective interventions to improve the lives of grieving spouses and partners.

HEAL is now enrolling participants!

To qualify, you must:

Be 55 years or older
Have recently lost a spouse/partner
Self-identify as Hispanic/Latino or non-Hispanic White
Be comfortable speaking, reading, and writing in English and/or Spanish

Participant Activities

If you are eligible and choose to enroll, you will be asked to do the following:

Take part in 1 in-person research visit at our research clinic (680 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611)
Provide a fasting blood draw at this visit
Undergo temperature and blood pressure readings and basic body measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference)
Complete a basic physical function test
Take part in a brief interview about your experience with loss and any cultural factors impacting it (Hispanic/Latino participants only)
Track your sleep at home by wearing a special watch provided by the study
Complete a set of questionnaires about your sleep and mood

Participant Compensation

If you participate, you will be compensated up to $60 for your time and effort. You will also receive travel reimbursement (up to $10 and a parking pass, if needed) for the in-person visits.

This project is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and it is being conducted in collaboration with Northwestern’s Claude D. Pepper Older American’s Independence Center.

Grant #: P30AG059988

IRB #: STU00219696

Participate in Our Research:

Click the link below to join our study:
https://redcap.link/CHILab
If you would like to learn more, please call us at (312) 503-6597 or email us at

HEAL@northwestern.edu

Estudio Efectos en la Salud Después de una Pérdida (HEAL)

El propósito del Estudio Efectos en la Salud Después de una Pérdida (HEAL) (número de identificación IRB de Northwestern: STU00219696) es examinar la asociación entre el duelo conyugal y la salud mental y física. Con su ayuda, esperamos obtener una mejor comprensión de los efectos de la pérdida de un cónyuge en la salud, con lo cual a la larga podamos desarrollar intervenciones efectivas y hechas a la medida para mejorar las vidas de los cónyuges y parejas en duelo.

¡HEAL está inscribiendo participantes! Para cualificar, necesita cumplir con los siguientes criterios:

Tener 55 años o más
Haber perdido a un cónyuge/pareja recientemente
Identificarte como Hispano/Latino o Blanco No-Hispano
Sentirse cómodo hablando, leyendo, y escribiendo en Inglés o Español

Actividades de Participantes

Si cumple con los criterios y elige inscribirse, se le pedirá lo siguiente:

Tomar parte en una visita presencial en nuestra clínica de investigación (680 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611)
Proveer una muestra de sangre en ayunas en esta visita
Someterse a lecturas de temperatura y presión arterial y mediciones corporales básicas (altura, peso, y circunferencia de la cintura)
Completar una prueba de función física básica
Tomar parte en una entrevista breve sobre tus experiencias de pérdida y cualquier factor cultural que haya tenido un impacto en ella (solamente participantes Hispano/Latinos)
Darle seguimiento a su sueño en casa por medio de un reloj especial proporcionado por el estudio.
Completar una serie de cuestionarios sobre su sueño y su ánimo

Compensación a Participantes

Si participa, será compensado con hasta $60 por su tiempo y esfuerzo. También se le reembolsarán costos de viaje (de hasta $10 y un pase de estacionamiento, de ser necesario) para la visita presencial.

Este proyecto está patrocinado por el National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), y esta llevado a cabo en colaboración con el Claude D. Pepper Older American’s Independence Center en Northwestern.

Suvbenio #: P30AG059988