Research

Overview

Research

The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health applies rigorous scientific research methods to evaluate physiological and therapeutic mechanisms, efficacy, and use of approaches in society as they affect health, resiliency, and well-being. 

Patient-centered research aims to develop effective approaches to whole person health. Osher Collaborative researchers use whole systems as a model to understand the inner workings of the human system as well as the impact of therapeutic modalities on all aspects of well-being.

Coordinated efforts identify and foster networks of collaboration and support within member institutions, and also among local and global communities.

(Signature Research Programs diagram developed by Northwestern Osher Center)

Featured Osher Collaborative Research:

Study Recruitment Vanderbilt University

Chronic Pain Skills Study with Clinical Hypnosis
Recruiting Participants

The Osher Center for Integrative Health at Vanderbilt is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic treating patients with chronic pain and complex health issues via integrative services, with goals of improving overall health and well-being of those served. At OCIM, clinical hypnosis has been historically provided on an individual basis (by the PI, Lindsey McKernan, Ph.D). Due to its impact and increased patient demand for this service, the PI will be conducting group hypnosis services in addition to individual services to expand the reach of this program.

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Population-Based Medicine

Patient Reported Outcome Measurement System (PROMIS)

Practice-based data collection is widely used across clinical settings for monitoring diseases, conditions, health services, and device safety. These databases are critical to the development of a more complete knowledge base of any field of medicine.

Study Recruitment University of California, San Francisco

The EMBODY Study
Recruiting Participants

A study of body awareness using brain imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI) is being conducted at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of California, San Francisco. Tasks include paying attention to sensations in the body, thinking about plans for the day, and cognitive tasks such as a memory task.

Highlight Vanderbilt University

The Basic Neuroscience of Mindfulness
Mapping The Meditative Mind

Translational Research Studies

In order to investigate the basic neural mechanisms by which mindfulness practices function, David Vago and the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory (FNL) have created an integrative theoretical framework and systems-based neurobiological model that explains the mechanisms by which mindfulness reduces biases related to self-processing and creates a sustainable healthy mind.