Publications

2025

Gong CL, Okoro CC, Wan R, Lopez C, Ngo NH, Gold JI. Budget impact analysis of integrative medicine practices for pediatric patients with chronic pain. Clin J Pain. 2025;41(3):e1271. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000001271

Hess CW, Rosenbloom BN, Mesaroli G, et al. Extended reality (XR) in pediatric acute and chronic pain: Systematic review and evidence gap map. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2025;8:e63854. doi:10.2196/63854

2024

Chau AN, Eckberg RA, Laksana E, et al. Prehospitalization trauma and physiologic factors associated with the presence of post-traumatic stress 3 months after PICU discharge. J Intensive Care Med. 2024;39(3):268-276. doi:10.1177/08850666231201786

Gold JI, Akbar KM, Avila S, Ngo NH, Klein MJ. Exploring relations between unique patient characteristics and virtual reality immersion level on anxiety and pain in patients undergoing venipuncture: Secondary analysis of a randomized control trial. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26:e53196. doi:10.2196/53196

Lin CT, Lane AS, Annick ET, et al. Usability and satisfaction of augmented reality during pediatric anesthesia induction: A pilot study. J Med Ext Real. 2024;1(1):44-52. doi:10.1089/jmxr.2023.0009

2023

Ginsburg DK, Salinas DB, Cosanella TM, et al. High rates of anxiety detected in mothers of children with inconclusive cystic fibrosis screening results. J Cyst Fibros. 2023;22(3):420-426. doi:10.1016/j.jcf.2022.12.002

Gold JI, Kobylecka M, Ngo NH, Lin CT, Hurray CN. Does acupuncture hurt? A retrospective study on pain and satisfaction during pediatric acupuncture. Children (Basel). 2023;10(11):1774. doi:10.3390/children10111774

Mahrer NE, Sommers VS, Berman DI, Ngo N, Gold JI. Virtual Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (vACT) for youth with chronic illnesses: A case report. Med Res Arch. 2023;11(6):1-12 . doi:10.18103/mra.v11i6.3897

2022

Yetwin AK, Mahrer NE, Bell TS, Gold JI. Heart Rate Variability biofeedback therapy for children and adolescents with chronic pain: A pilot study. J Pediatr Nurs. 2022;66:151-159. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2022.06.008

2021

Ataiants J, Fedorova EV, Wong CF, Iverson E, Gold JI, Lankenau SE. Pain profiles among young adult cannabis users: An analysis of antecedent factors and distal outcomes. Subst Use Misuse. 2021;56(8):1144-1154. doi:10.1080/10826084.2021.1910707

Gold JI, Annick ET, Lane AS, Ho K, Marty RT, Espinoza JC. "Doc McStuffins: Doctor for a Day" Virtual reality (DocVR) for pediatric preoperative anxiety and satisfaction: Pediatric medical technology feasibility study. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(4):e25504. doi:10.2196/25504

Gold JI, SooHoo M, Laikin AM, Lane AS, Klein MJ. Effect of an immersive virtual reality intervention on pain and anxiety associated with peripheral intravenous catheter placement in the pediatric setting: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(8):e2122569. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.22569

Huynh TM, Molas-Torreblanca K, Chand S, et al. Yes, we CAM: Increasing physician communication about complementary and alternative medicine through electronic medical record prompts in a pediatric hospital. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021;45:101449. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101449

Logan DE, Simons LE, Caruso TJ, et al. Leveraging virtual reality and augmented reality to combat chronic pain in youth: Position paper from the interdisciplinary network on virtual and augmented technologies for pain management. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(4):e25916. doi:10.2196/25916

Nelson LP, Lachman SE, Goodman K, Gold JI. Admission psychosocial characteristics of critically ill children and acute stress. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2021;22(2):194-203. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000002605

Torigoe-Lai TK, Mahrer NE, Klein MJ, Gold JI. A secondary analysis of integrated pediatric chronic pain services related to cost savings. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2021;28(2):374-383. doi:10.1007/s10880-020-09723-7

2020

Lao BK, Kain ZN, Khoury D, et al. A comprehensive examination of the immediate recovery of children following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;135:110106. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110106

Kertesz-Briest HA, H Hamilton A, Hartline K, Klein MJ, Gold JI. Examining relations between neuropsychological and clinical epilepsy-specific factors with psychopathology and adaptive skills outcomes in youth with intractable epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2020;110:107171. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107171

Meyer RML, Fleischman KM, Young CM, Gold JI. Somatization, fatigue, and quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic pain. J Child Fam Stud. 2020;29(5):1293-1300. doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01624-0

Park E, Meyer RML, Gold JI. The role of medical specialization on posttraumatic symptoms in pediatric nurses. J Pediatr Nurs. 2020;53:22-28. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2020.03.019

Trost MJ, Chrysilla G, Gold JI, Matarić M. Socially-assistive robots using empathy to reduce pain and distress during peripheral IV placement in children. Pain Res Manag. 2020;2020:7935215. doi:10.1155/2020/7935215

2019

Akyol MU, Alden TD, Amartino H, et al. Recommendations for the management of MPS IVA: Systematic evidence- and consensus-based guidance. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019;14(1):137. doi:10.1186/s13023-019-1074-9

Akyol MU, Alden TD, Amartino H, et al. Recommendations for the management of MPS VI: Systematic evidence- and consensus-based guidance. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019;14(1):118. doi:10.1186/s13023-019-1080-y

Foulks MG, Meyer RML, Gold JI, Herrington CS, Kallin K, Menteer J. Postoperative heart failure after stage 1 palliative surgery for single ventricle cardiac disease. Pediatr Cardiol. 2019;40(5):943-949. doi:10.1007/s00246-019-02093-4

Kaminsky O, Fortier MA, Jenkins BN, et al. Children and their parents' assessment of postoperative surgical pain: Agree or disagree?. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;123:84-92. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.04.005

Nelson LP, Lachman SE, Li SW, Gold JI. The effects of family functioning on the development of posttraumatic stress in children and their parents following admission to the PICU. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2019;20(4):e208-e215. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000001894

2018

Gold JI, Mahrer NE. Is virtual reality ready for prime time in the medical space? A randomized control trial of pediatric virtual reality for acute procedural pain management. J Pediatr Psychol. 2018;43(3):266-275. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsx129

Mahrer NE, Gold JI, Luu M, Herman PM. A cost-analysis of an interdisciplinary pediatric chronic pain clinic. J Pain. 2018;19(2):158-165. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.09.008

Mamtora PH, Kain ZN, Stevenson RS, et al. An evaluation of preoperative anxiety in Spanish-speaking and Latino children in the United States. Paediatr Anaesth. 2018;28(8):719-725. doi:10.1111/pan.13425

Shafer JS, Jenkins BN, Fortier MA, et al. Parental satisfaction of child's perioperative care. Paediatr Anaesth. 2018;28(11):955-962. doi:10.1111/pan.13496

Yang E, Schamber E, Meyer RML, Gold JI. Happier healers: Randomized controlled trial of mobile mindfulness for stress management. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(5):505-513. doi:10.1089/acm.2015.0301

Yetwin AK, Mahrer NE, John C, Gold JI. Does pain intensity matter? The relation between coping and quality of life in pediatric patients with chronic pain. J Pediatr Nurs. 2018;40:7-13. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2018.02.003

2017

Morrison Wylde C, Mahrer NE, Meyer RML, Gold JI. Mindfulness for novice pediatric nurses: Smartphone application versus traditional intervention. J Pediatr Nurs. 2017;36:205-212. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2017.06.008

Nager AL, Pham PK, Grajower DN, Gold JI. Mental health screening among adolescents and young adults in the emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2017;33(1):5-9. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000529

Stevenson RS, Rosales A, Fortier MA, et al. The role of ethnicity and acculturation in preoperative distress in parents of children undergoing surgery. J Immigr Minor Health. 2017;19(3):738-744. doi:10.1007/s10903-016-0357-7

Treadwell M, Harmatz PR, Burton BK, et al. Impact of elosulfase alfa on pain in patients with Morquio A syndrome over 52 weeks: MOR-008: A randomized, double-blind, pilot study. J Inborn Errors Metab Screen. 2017;5:1-12. doi:10.1177/2326409817718850

2016

Nager AL, Pham P, Grajower SN, Gold JI. March of the Living, a Holocaust educational tour: An assessment of anxiety and depression. J Relig Health. 2016;55(3):1000-1009. doi:10.1007/s10943-015-0150-2

2015

Epstein D, Unger JB, Ornelas B, et al. Satisfaction with care and decision making among parents/caregivers in the pediatric intensive care unit: A comparison between English-speaking whites and Latinos. J Crit Care. 2015;30(2):236-241. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2014.11.009

Gauthier T, Meyer RM, Grefe D, Gold JI. An on-the-job mindfulness-based intervention for pediatric ICU nurses: A pilot. J Pediatr Nurs. 2015;30(2):402-409. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2014.10.005

Kun SS, Beas VN, Keens TG, Ward SS, Gold JI. Examining pediatric emergency home ventilation practices in home health nurses: Opportunities for improved care. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015;50(7):691-697. doi:10.1002/ppul.23040

Mandell IM, Bynum F, Marshall L, Bart R, Gold JI, Rubin S. Pediatric Early Warning Score and unplanned readmission to the pediatric intensive care unit. J Crit Care. 2015;30(5):1090-1095. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2015.06.019

Meyer RM, Gold JI, Beas VN, Young CM, Kassam-Adams N. Psychometric evaluation of the child PTSD symptom scale in Spanish and English. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2015;46(3):438-444. doi:10.1007/s10578-014-0482-2

Meyer RM, Li A, Klaristenfeld J, Gold JI. Pediatric novice nurses: Examining compassion fatigue as a mediator between stress exposure and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and job satisfaction. J Pediatr Nurs. 2015;30(1):174-183. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2013.12.008

Nager AL, Kobylecka M, Pham PK, Johnson L, Gold JI. Effects of acupuncture on pain and inflammation in pediatric emergency department patients with acute appendicitis: A pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(5):269-272. doi:10.1089/acm.2015.0024

2014

Barber BA, Kohl KL, Kassam-Adams N, Gold JI. Acute stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms among English and Spanish speaking children with recent trauma exposure. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2014;21(1):66-71. doi:10.1007/s10880-013-9382-z

Epstein D, Reibel M, Unger JB, et al. The effect of neighborhood and individual characteristics on pediatric critical illness. J Community Health. 2014;39(4):753-759. doi:10.1007/s10900-014-9823-0

Li A, Early SF, Mahrer NE, Klaristenfeld JL, Gold JI. Group cohesion and organizational commitment: Protective factors for nurse residents' job satisfaction, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout. J Prof Nurs. 2014;30(1):89-99. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2013.04.004

Mackin RS, Insel P, Truran D, et al. Neuroimaging abnormalities in adults with sickle cell anemia: Associations with cognition. Neurology. 2014;82(10):835-841. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000188

Meyer RML, Barber BA, Kobylecka M, Gold JI. Examining the association between parental stress related to child illness and child pain across acupuncture treatments. Med Acupunct. 2014;26(1):23-30. doi:10.1089/acu.2013.1008

2013

Epstein D, Unger JB, Ornelas B, et al. Psychometric evaluation of a modified version of the family satisfaction in the ICU survey in parents/caregivers of critically ill children. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2013;14(8):e350-e356. doi:10.1097/PCC.0b013e3182917705

Kassam-Adams N, Gold JI, Montaño Z, et al. Development and psychometric evaluation of child acute stress measures in Spanish and English. J Trauma Stress. 2013;26(1):19-27. doi:10.1002/jts.21782

Menteer J, Beas VN, Chang JC, Reed K, Gold JI. Mood and health-related quality of life among pediatric patients with heart failure. Pediatr Cardiol. 2013;34(2):431-437. doi:10.1007/s00246-012-0477-3

Nager AL, Pham P, Gold JI. March of the Living, a holocaust educational tour: Effect on adolescent Jewish identity. J Relig Health. 2013;52(4):1402-1414. doi:10.1007/s10943-013-9749-3

2012

Claudius I, Mahrer N, Nager AL, Gold JI. Occult psychosocial impairment in a pediatric emergency department population. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012;28(12):1334-1337. doi:10.1097/PEC.0b013e318276b0bc

Gold JI, Douglas MK, Thomas ML, Elliott JE, Rao SM, Miaskowski C. The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder, mood states, functional status, and quality of life in oncology outpatients. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012;44(4):520-531. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.10.014

Mahrer NE, Montaño Z, Gold JI. Relations between anxiety sensitivity, somatization, and health-related quality of life in children with chronic pain. J Pediatr Psychol. 2012;37(7):808-816. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jss054

Yuan HC, Sohn EY, Abouezzeddine T, et al. Neurocognitive functioning in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A pilot study of positive airway pressure therapy. J Pediatr Nurs. 2012;27(6):607-613. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2011.07.007

2011

Christodoulou-Smith J, Gold JI, Romero R, et al. Posttraumatic stress symptoms following pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2011;24(11):1307-1311. doi:10.3109/14767058.2011.582904

Gold JI, Treadwell M, Weissman L, Vichinsky E. The mediating effects of family functioning on psychosocial outcomes in healthy siblings of children with sickle cell disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2011;57(6):1055-1061. doi:10.1002/pbc.22933

Horn B, Balk J, Gold JI. Revisiting the sham: Is It all smoke and mirrors? Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:842767. doi:10.1093/ecam/neq074

Li A, Montaño Z, Chen VJ, Gold JI. Virtual reality and pain management: Current trends and future directions. Pain Manag. 2011;1(2):147-157. doi:10.2217/pmt.10.15

Montaño Z, Mahrer NE, Nager A, Claudius I, Gold JI. Assessing psychosocial impairment in the pediatric emergency department: Child/caregiver concordance. J Child Fam Stud. 2011;20(4):473-477. doi:10.1007/s10826-010-9414-3

Nager AL, Nager SM, Lalani PG, Gold JI. Holocaust student tour: The impact on spirituality and health. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2011;48(3):186-194.

2010

Nager AL, Mahrer NE, Gold JI. State trait anxiety in the emergency department: An analysis of anticipatory and life stressors. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2010;26(12):897-901. doi:10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181fe90eb

Vichinsky EP, Neumayr LD, Gold JI, et al. Neuropsychological dysfunction and neuroimaging abnormalities in neurologically intact adults with sickle cell anemia. JAMA. 2010;303(18):1823-1831. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.562

2009

Gold JI, Mahrer NE, Yee J, Palermo TM. Pain, fatigue, and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic pain. Clin J Pain. 2009;25(5):407-412. doi:10.1097/AJP.0b013e318192bfb1

Gold JI, Nicolaou CD, Belmont KA, Katz AR, Benaron DM, Yu W. Pediatric acupuncture: A review of clinical research. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009;6(4):429-439. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem181

Gold JI, Yetwin AK, Mahrer NE, et al. Pediatric chronic pain and health-related quality of life. J Pediatr Nurs. 2009;24(2):141-150. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2008.07.003

Livingston K, Beider S, Kant AJ, Gallardo CC, Joseph MH, Gold JI. Touch and massage for medically fragile infants. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009;6(4):473-482. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem076

Mahrer NE, Gold JI. The use of virtual reality for pain control: A review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2009;13(2):100-109. doi:10.1007/s11916-009-0019-8

2008

Alderfer MA, Fiese BH, Gold JI, et al. Evidence-based assessment in pediatric psychology: Family measures. J Pediatr Psychol. 2008;33(9):1046-1064. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm083

Gold JI, Johnson CB, Treadwell MJ, Hans N, Vichinsky E. Detection and assessment of stroke in patients with sickle cell disease: Neuropsychological functioning and magnetic resonance imaging. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2008;25(5):409-421. doi:10.1080/08880010802107497

Gold JI, Kant AJ, Kim SH. The impact of unintentional pediatric trauma: A review of pain, acute stress, and posttraumatic stress. J Pediatr Nurs. 2008;23(2):81-91. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2007.08.005

Gold JI, Mahrer NE, Treadwell M, Weissman L, Vichinsky E. Psychosocial and behavioral outcomes in children with sickle cell disease and their healthy siblings. J Behav Med. 2008;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1007/s10865-008-9175-2

Gold JI, Treadwell M, Weissman L, Vichinsky E. An expanded Transactional Stress and Coping Model for siblings of children with sickle cell disease: Family functioning and sibling coping, self-efficacy and perceived social support. Child Care Health Dev. 2008;34(4):491-502. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2008.00810.x

Higashimoto T, Baldwin EE, Gold JI, Boles RG. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: Complex regional pain syndrome type I in children with mitochondrial disease and maternal inheritance. Arch Dis Child. 2008;93(5):390-397. doi:10.1136/adc.2007.123661

2007

Beider S, Mahrer NE, Gold JI. Pediatric massage therapy: An overview for clinicians. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007;54(6):1025-xiii. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2007.10.001

Gold JI, Belmont KA, Thomas DA. The neurobiology of virtual reality pain attenuation. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007;10(4):536-544. doi:10.1089/cpb.2007.9993

Gold JI, Kant AJ, Belmont KA, Butler LD. Practitioner review: Clinical applications of pediatric hypnosis. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2007;48(8):744-754. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01759.x

Gold JI, Taft CT, Keehn MG, King DW, King LA, Samper RE. PTSD symptom severity and family adjustment among female Vietnam veterans. Mil Psychol. 2007;19(2):71-81. doi:10.1080/08995600701323368

2006

Gold JI, Kim SH, Kant AJ, Joseph MH, Rizzo AS. Effectiveness of virtual reality for pediatric pain distraction during i.v. placement. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2006;9(2):207-212. doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.207

Gold JI, Townsend J, Jury DL, Kant AJ, Gallardo CC, Joseph MH. Current trends in pediatric pain management: From preoperative to the postoperative bedside and beyond. Semin Anesth Perioperat Med Pain. 2006;25(3),159-171. doi:10.1053/j.sane.2006.05.014

Kemper KJ, Butler LD, Culbert T, et al. Pediatric guidelines. Explore (NY). 2006;2(5):386-387. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2006.06.020

Scott GM, Gold JI. Emergence delirium: A re-emerging interest. Semin Anesth Perioperat Med Pain. 2006;25(3),100-104. doi:10.1053/j.sane.2006.05.013

Taylor BJ, Robbins JM, Gold JI, Logsdon TR, Bird TM, Anand KJ. Assessing postoperative pain in neonates: A multicenter observational study. Pediatrics. 2006;118(4):e992-e1000. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-3203

2005

Gold JI, Kant AJ, Kim SH, Rizzo AS. Virtual anesthesia: The use of virtual reality for pain distraction during acute medical interventions. Semin Anesth Perioperat Med Pain. 2005;24(4),203-210. doi:10.1053/j.sane.2005.10.005

Grants

Current

Research on Integrative Medicine Practices for Pain Management | The primary objective of the grant is to support research activities on virtual reality (VR), integrative medicine, and other ongoing research in integrative medicine practices for pain management.

The David William Upham Foundation | $150,000

Integrative Medicine Program | The primary objective of the grant is to deliver Integrative Medicine (IM) practices (i.e., acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, mindfulness, and yoga) and to evaluate the impact of these IM practices on several health outcomes (i.e., pain, sleep, mood, function) and critical health economic parameters, such as ED visits, length of stay, medication usage, and patient/family satisfaction.

The Braun Family Trustees/Carl F. Braun | $1,900,000

Neurofeedback for Emotional Regulation in Pediatric Patients | The goal of this project is to train clinicians in the use of neurofeedback for treating pediatric patients with emotional dysregulation and upregulated arousal in the context of a range of mental health conditions. Secondarily, this project aims to conduct a program evaluation across the sites participating in training and their clinicians referred to as the “community of practice” (CHLA, UCLA Semel Institute, UCLA TIES, Violence Intervention Program, Seventh Generation/UAII, and UCLA STAR Clinic). The objective of the program evaluation is to collect data on the feasibility and acceptability of this treatment approach for clinician uptake to inform subsequent efficacy studies and support relevant social policies (e.g., MediCal reimbursement for neurofeedback) to promote health equity and access.

The Pritzker Family Foundation | $67,590

VR for Stress and Pain Management | To deliver direct clinical service line for stress and pain management in children undergoing routine painful medical procedures. VR will be delivered and evaluated in a variety of clinical areas including but not limited to phlebotomy, radiology, infusion center, emergency department, pre-surgical operating area to assist in the management of stress and pain associated with painful medical procedures (e.g., IV start, PICC lines, mask induction) and the stress associated with surgery.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bennett Foundation | $180,000

Enhancing Capacity to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorders Through Expanded Community Integrated Care Partnerships Within an Urban, Underserved Population | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Psychology Program faculty have developed this proposal to enhance its APA-accredited training of health psychology post-doctoral fellows to provide integrated, interdisciplinary, behavioral health and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorder (SUD) services. Goal I aims to provide didactic training for doctoral psychologists to enable them to provide in-person and tele-behavioral health integrated interdisciplinary trauma-informed OUD/SUD screening, prevention, treatment, and recovery services focusing on underserved pediatric populations in high need, high demand areas. Goal II aims to enhance doctoral psychologists’ ability to provide integrated interdisciplinary OUD/SUD trauma-informed services in high need and high demand areas to increase access and reduce barriers to care. Goal III focuses on sustainability efforts by enhancing the ability of clinical faculty, field supervisors, and interdisciplinary staff to provide integrated trauma-informed OUD/SUD services and supervision, and to develop and implement a sustainability plan.

HRSA - Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program

Promoting Physical Activity for Children With Ambulatory Cerebral Palsy Using Augmented Reality | This award is a career development award to promote development of the necessary skills for a clinical translational investigator. The award will support the PI while she fulfills established mentoring, educational, and research benchmarks. The educational plan is focused on furthering the awardees knowledge of applied informatics, predictive modeling and data driven translational research. The project proposes to identify novel risk factors for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), develop a predictive model for pediatric ARDS and evaluate the association between identified risk factors and clinical outcomes in children diagnosed with ARDS.  The proposed approach of integrating applied research methodologies to health informatics will be formative in the field of ARDS, and in the natural extension of these methodologies to other critical care diseases.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)/ National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)/USC Keck School of Medicine-Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI), Center for Education, Training and Career Development (CETCD) KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Award

The Evaluation Neurofeedback in the Community | The goal of this project is to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and satisfaction of neurofeedback among stakeholders in the community, comprised of clinical neurofeedback users and non-users, agency leadership, and other clinician/administrators involved in the delivery of neurofeedback in the community. This project aims to conduct a program evaluation across the sites participating in training and their clinicians referred to as the “community of practice” (CHLA, UCLA Semel Institute, UCLA TIES, Violence Intervention Program, Seventh Generation/UAII, and UCLA STAR Clinic). The objective of the program evaluation is to collect data on the feasibility and acceptability of this treatment approach for clinician uptake to inform subsequent efficacy studies and support relevant social policies (e.g., MediCal reimbursement for neurofeedback) to promote health equity and access.

The Pritzker Family Foundation | $85,000

Medical Marijuana, Emerging Adults and Community: Connecting Health and Policy | No studies have examined the impact of medical marijuana policies on patterns of drug use or psychological and physical health among young adults or examined the impact of medical marijuana dispensaries on young adults and their local communities. The overall objective of this application is to determine the impact of medical marijuana on young adult’s physical and psychological health. The central hypothesis guiding this study is that young adult MMP evidence different histories, behaviors, and trajectories than young adults who are recreational or non-medical marijuana users. Findings will inform medical marijuana policy at the local, state, and national levels so that young adults either with or without recommendations for medical marijuana will lead healthy and productive lives.

NIH/NIDA (RO1) | $3,952,767

The Healing Power of Acceptance: Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Support to Foster Emotional Well-Being Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease | The aim is to build a strong foundation for culturally tailored psychological care for underserved BIPOC youth, especially Black adolescents, and young adults (AYA) with sickle cell disease (SCD). Over the next three years, I will focus on the following skill development: (1) Culturally Tailored Interventions: Develop a culturally adapted ACT intervention for chronic illness and race-related stress, collaborating with experts and pursuing targeted training. (2) Increase Health Disparities Knowledge: Enhance my understanding of health disparities and stigma through literature reviews, conferences, and workshops. (3) Foster Development of Pediatric Psychology Research Skills: Gain advanced skills in translational research through mentorship and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. (4) Improving Mixed Methods Research Design and Statistical Analysis: To strengthen my proficiency in mixed methods research, I will undertake formal coursework in the Clinical, Biomedical and Translational Investigations Certificate program at the USC Keck School of Medicine, attend practical workshops in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and consult with biostatisticians and other researchers at USC/CHLA. (5) Engage Further in Participatory Action Research: Establish an SCD-Advisory Board within 6 months to involve Black AYA with SCD and their families in the research process, with guidance from experienced PAR researchers and community organizations.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)/ National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)/USC Keck School of Medicine-Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI), Center for Education, Training and Career Development (CETCD) KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Award

Past

The California Endowment (TCE) | This was a wrap-around clinical service program demonstration for foster youth at the West Coast Children’s Clinic, El Cerrito, California.

Foster Youth Development Program (FYDP) | $900,000

Touch Therapy for Hospitalized Children | This was a community-initiated grant by Heart Touch for investigating the utility of compassionate touch with hospitalized children.

First 5 Los Angeles | $880,000

Pediatric Disaster Resource and Training Center | With the support of the U.S. DHHS, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has initiated the Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Project. CHLA in collaboration with the Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services Agency has established the Pediatric Disaster Resource and Training Center (PDRTC). The central mission is to expand pediatric resources and expertise to a network of geographically dispersed health-care facilities; develop and deploy state-of-the-science pediatric disaster training to local providers.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | $5,000,000

Using fMRI to Examine the Neurobiological Basis of Virtual Reality Pain Attenuation | In an effort to enhance our understanding of how VR may attenuate pain perception, this study will employ functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology to explore how functional activity in the brain relates to observed attenuation effects during an experimental pain paradigm.

Saban Research Institute Clinical Research Academic Career Development Award (CRACDA) | $150,000

Supporting an Acupuncture Program With YSU and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | A sustainability grant provided by the “Small Grants” Program at the Weingart Foundation to maintain an ongoing partnership between Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for a Pediatric Acupuncture Program within the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Weingart Foundation Grant | $10,000

Supporting an Acupuncture Program With YSU and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | A sustainability grant provided by the Guenther Foundation Grant to maintain an ongoing partnership between Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for a Pediatric Acupuncture Program within the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Guenther Foundation Grant | $10,000

Validating a Child Acute Stress Measure in English and Spanish | Development of a validated brief child acute stress measure in English and Spanish addresses gaps in our ability to assess mental health consequences of trauma and violence for children, and advances the NIH objective of increasing mental health screening in primary health care. Public health implications include improving the effectiveness of screening trauma-exposed children, in health care and other community settings, to guide appropriate service provision. Validated Spanish-language measures are particularly needed for the growing number of Spanish-speaking children in the US.

NIH/NIMH (R01) | $1,400,341

Virtual Reality Analgesia: Using fMRI to Explore the Central Mechanisms of VR’s Effect on Experimentally Induced Pain in Adolescents With Fibromyalgia | The proposed study aims to clarify these intricate mechanisms by using fMRI to probe the ways in which VR and a STROOP (cognitive distraction task) may modulate the neurobiological experience of pain in adolescents with fibromyalgia. In achieving this goal, this study will not only enhance our understanding of the complex ways in which VR influences the body’s endogenous pain perception system, but may also lead to the development of new and more effective clinical applications of VR for the management of acute and chronic pain.

University of Southern California – Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Southern California – Clinical Translational Science Institute Los Angeles Basin (SC-CTSI LAB) | $9,500

Supporting an Acupuncture Program With YSU and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | A sustainability grant provided by the Green Foundation Grant to maintain an ongoing partnership between Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for a Pediatric Acupuncture Program within the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Green Foundation Grant | $10,000

Patient Sociodemographic and Geographic Factors as a Source of Variation in Outcomes in a Los Angeles Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) | The proposed study uses state-of-the-art GIS and the most advanced PICU database in the nation to determine the socioeconomic and local geographical barriers to PICU access and subsequent PICU outcomes: (1) functional outcome will be measured by Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC) and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) scores at admission and discharge, (2) length of stay, and (3) mortality in the PICU, after adjusting for patient race/ethnicity, age, diagnosis, and insurance type.

University of Southern California – Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Southern California – Clinical Translational Science Institute Los Angeles Basin (SC-CTSI LAB) Pilot Award | $30,000

Virtual Reality Analgesia: Using fMRI to Explore the Central Mechanisms of VR’s Effect on Experimentally Induced Pain in Healthy Adolescents | The proposed study aims to clarify these intricate mechanisms by using fMRI to probe the ways in which VR may modulate the neurobiological experience of pain in healthy adolescents. In achieving this goal, this study will not only enhance our understanding of the complex ways in which VR influences the body’s endogenous pain perception system, but may also lead to the development of new and more effective clinical applications of VR for the management of acute and chronic pain.

NIH/NIDA (R21), Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) | $315,000

Supporting an Acupuncture Program With YSU and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | A sustainability grant provided by the “Small Grants” Program at the Weingart Foundation to maintain an ongoing partnership between Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for a Pediatric Acupuncture Program within the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Weingart Foundation Grant | $10,000

Stress and Pain Response in Children and Their Parents following Admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit | A prospective, longitudinal, multi-informant observational study of the stress response in children and their parents following admission to the PICU, including the physiologic/neuroendocrine mechanism and functional outcomes. Data includes: physiologic admission data, child/parent cortisol levels at baseline, one- and three-month follow-up; child/parent self-report and semi-structured interviews on 20 children and their parents.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Southern California – Clinical Translational Science Institute Los Angeles Basin (SC-CTSI LAB) NIH NCRR CTSI

Neuropsychological Dysfunction and Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Neurologically Intact Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Investigation of Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease | The primary objectives of this national collaborative trial are to determine the extent of neurocognitive impairment, the prevalence of neuroradiographic abnormalities, and their relationship in neurologically asymptomatic adult patients with SCD compared to national normative data and to findings in a matched control group.

Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers (Supported by NIH-NHLBI Clinical Trials Consortium) | $4,945,928

Promoting Complementary and Alternative Medicine in a Hospitalized Setting | This grant is focused on increasing education, knowledge, and behavioral changes in healthcare providers toward a comprehensive understanding of integrative medicine. The purpose is to effect change in knowledge, perception, and expectations of integrative medicine practices in pediatrics. Ultimately, the hope is that healthcare providers will influence cultural changes in the practice and integration Eastern and Western medicine toward the treatment of children and adolescents with complex medical conditions. Presentations are based on evidenced based practices of non-traditional practices.

LIATIS Foundation | $200,000

A 15 Week, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Group Efficacy Study of Pregabalin in Adolescents (12-16 Years Old) With Fibromyalgia | The primary objectives of the proposed study are, 1) To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Pregabalin (75-450 mg/day) compared with placebo in an adolescent fibromyalgia population, 2) To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of pregabalin in an adolescent fibromyalgia population, 3) To collect data that will help characterize the adolescent fibromyalgia population and facilitate future clinical studies. This will include, but not be limited to, assessment of baseline clinical characteristics, proportion of patients meeting ACR diagnostic criteria, variability of efficacy measures, and placebo response.

Pfizer Pharmaceutical

A 6-Month, Open-Label, Safety Trial of Pregabalin in Adolescent Patients With Fibromyalgia | The primary objective of the proposed study are, 1) To evaluate the safety of pregabalin at doses of 75-450 mg/day (BID) in patients who participated in the double-blind fibromyalgia Study A0081180 and who wish to receive open-label pregabalin therapy. 2) To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of pregabalin in an adolescent fibromyalgia population, and 3) To collect data that will help characterize the adolescent fibromyalgia population and facilitate future clinical studies.

Pfizer Pharmaceutical

An Internet CBT Intervention for Pediatric Chronic Pain and Disability | This multi-center, randomized trial will examine the effectiveness of an internet cognitive-behavioral intervention for pediatric chronic pain and disability. Adolescents (age 11-16) with chronic pain and their parents will be enrolled in a 2 (arm) x 4 (time point) randomized control trial (RCT). The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of Web-MAP in reducing pain and improving function in youth with chronic pain via a randomized controlled trial. Secondarily, the study will compare service use among treatment groups from pre-treatment to 12-month follow-up and examine individual factors that predict treatment outcomes in 600 (300 children/adolescents and their parents). This study will be conducted over a 5-year period. All participants will be enrolled in the study for a total of one year.

NIH/NICHHD (R01) | $855,039

Stress Response in Children and Their Parents After Hospitalization in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit | This award is a career development award to promote development of  the necessary skills for a clinical translational investigator. The award will support the PI while she fulfills pre-established mentoring, educational, and research benchmarks. The educational plan is focused on the acquisition of a Masters in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations with specific coursework on quantitative and qualitative methods. The proposed research project is a prospective, longitudinal, mixed-method, multi-informant observational study of acute stress, PTSD, and physiologic stress response in children and their parents following admission to the PICU.

Southern California – Clinical Translational Science Institute Los Angeles Basin (SC-CTSI LAB), Center for Education, Training and Career Development (CETCD) KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Award

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress From Retinoblastoma and Its Treatment: A Family-Centered Psychobiological Approach | To conduct prospective research on survivors and newly diagnosed children with retinoblastoma. Using a mixed-methods approach combining standardized quantitative outcomes and qualitative, semi-structured interviews to identify unique diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes associated with RB. To prospectively collect PsychoBiological data on all newly diagnosed children, their families and conduct annual follow-ups on the patients and their families. PsychoBiological data collection includes qualitative/quantitative interviews, telomere and neuroimaging, and family assessment. The Primary Aims of this project are: 1) to understand psychobiologic outcomes following the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma and 2) to develop tools or models that help minimize the negative effects of the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma on psychobiologic outcomes.

Retinoblastoma International (RBI) | $40,000

Massage Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care | The proposed community service project aims to extend the Heart Touch Program at CHLA to our palliative care program. We will examine the efficacy of massage therapy in palliative care patients through program evaluation. We will look at various health outcomes such as pain intensity, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Massage Therapy Foundation Community Service Grant | $5,000

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Vilazodone in Adolescent Patients With Major Depressive Disorder | The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Vilazodone relative to placebo in adolescent outpatients (12-17 years) with MDD. In addition, the study is designed to obtain pharmacokinetic (PK) data to guide the dose selection for future Vilazodone pediatric studies.

Forest Research Institute, Inc.

A Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Acupuncture and Massage in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain | The proposed study will examine the short- and long-term effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine in children with chronic pain by comparing four groups: 1) Massage therapy, 2) Acupuncture only, 3) Massage therapy plus acupuncture, and 4) no CAM treatment. Participants will be administered self-report measures of pain, anxiety, and quality of life at baseline, immediately following 6 weeks of treatment, and 1-month post-treatment.

University of Southern California – Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Southern California – Clinical Translational Science Institute Los Angeles Basin (SC-CTSI LAB) Pilot Award | $30,000

Improving Pain and Anxiety in Children Undergoing Surgery | The proposed multi-center, randomized trial will examine the effectiveness of Provider Tailored Intervention for Perioperative Stress (P-TIPS) at preventing high anxiety and improving the recovery process in children undergoing anesthesia and surgery at four California hospitals.  The healthcare provider (HCP) will be randomized to either a P-TIPS Group, who will receive the newly developed intervention, or a Control Group who will continue to receive standard care. The aims of this study are to, 1) determine if P-TIPS is more effective than standard care for preventing high preoperative anxiety among children undergoing anesthesia and surgery, 2) Examine the impact of P-TIPS on surgical recovery parameters such as postoperative pain, recovery room stay, nausea and vomiting, emergence delirium and maladaptive behavioral changes, and 3) determine if the use of P-TIPS results in higher satisfaction and lower anxiety scores in the parents.

NIH/NICHHD (R01) | $2,000,000

Virtual Reality for Managing Pain and Distress in Children Undergoing Routine Medical Procedures | AppliedVR is sponsoring and CHLA has developed three (3) clinical studies to be performed in accordance with the Protocols entitled “Virtual Reality for Procedural Pain in the Pediatric Emergency Department,” “Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pediatric Pain Distraction” and the pre-procedural anxiety study which is to be conducted at CHLA under Dr. Jeffrey Gold’s supervision.

AppliedVR (Industry) | $78,000

Enabling Early Recognition of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) | This award is a career development award to promote development of the necessary skills for a clinical translational investigator. The award will support the PI while she fulfills established mentoring, educational, and research benchmarks. The educational plan is focused on furthering the awardees knowledge of applied informatics, predictive modeling and data driven translational research. The project proposes to identify novel risk factors for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), develop a predictive model for pediatric ARDS and evaluate the association between identified risk factors and clinical outcomes in children diagnosed with ARDS.  The proposed approach of integrating applied research methodologies to health informatics will be formative in the field of ARDS, and in the natural extension of these methodologies to other critical care diseases.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)/ National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)/USC Keck School of Medicine-Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI), Center for Education, Training and Career Development (CETCD) KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Award.

The Association Between Delirium in Critically Ill Children and Long-Term Cognitive Dysfunction | The proposed study is a prospective, longitudinal, multi-informant observational study of the development of delirium in children admitted to a PICU and its association with cognitive dysfunction during and following their admission. The central hypothesis is children with prolonged delirium during their PICU admission will have more long-term dysfunction than those with no or less delirium.

Society of Critical Care Medicine, Vision Grant | $50,000

Environmental Predictors of Stress in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy Infusions | A prospective cohort study to evaluate the stress response exhibited by 60 children 4-12 years old and their caregivers during a single one-four hour outpatient chemotherapy infusion; the relationship between environmental factors and stress will also be examined. Data include physiological and behavioral measures of stress, perception of pain, and child and caregiver perception of environmental factors.

University of Southern California Zumberge Individual Grant Awardee | $35,000

Environmental Factors and Their Impact on Children Undergoing Chemotherapy Infusions | A qualitative examination of the environmental factors that help or hinder a positive or negative pediatric outpatient chemotherapy experience. Interview-based data will be collected via developmentally appropriate semi-structured interviews with children with cancer 4-12 years old currently in treatment (n=10), their parents (n=10), and healthcare providers (n=10) working in the Infusion Center.

Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute Institutional Career Development Awardee

Development of a Transdisciplinary USC Center for Integrative Health Research and Education | A collaborative research community of USC faculty and students in the field of integrative medicine and to foster an “incubator” atmosphere for new ideas.  The specific aims include, 1) to engage multidisciplinary faculty and students in strategic planning toward the goal of establishing a USC center for research, education, and clinical services in integrative medicine, 2) to leverage USC’s diverse expertise in integrative medicine in preparation for multi-school interdisciplinary, innovative applications to federal and other outside agencies for research and university-level education in the field of integrative medicine and, 3) to engage in ongoing collaborative academic activities in order to foster medical and professional  school education and research in the field of integrative medicine. The achievement of these aims would lead to a fully funded center for integrative health research and education, and ultimately allow USC to become a national leader in the field of integrative medicine.

USC Research Collaboration Fund Award | $150,000

Virtual Reality in Pediatrics | With the recent interest in VR and resources being put into hardware and software, the time to evaluate, study, and clinically apply VR is now. VR will be studied in acute procedural medical situations, but increased attention toward chronic management of pain, anxiety, depression, and stress associated with a variety of chronic medical health conditions. In the ideal VR world, a VRpharmacy would have evidence to support specific VR applications toward certain health conditions, similar to medication interventions. With an increased focus on non-medication interventions (and non-pharmacological interventions partnered with medications) and consideration of the entire “whole” child, biological, psychological, and social aspects, the more likely we are to effect change, wellness, and improve overall health outcomes in children and their families.

Cancer Free Generation and the Board of Tower Cancer Research Foundation | $30,000

Bibliotherapy VR (BTVR) Program | The collective goal of this stage of the partnership is to investigate the ability of BTVR to provide a positive experience for children and understand how it provides benefits similar to being read to. Gather data that can be used to show the value of BTVR and assist with improvement of the platform. The PI will conduct efforts to test and research the platform and will be responsible for; 1) Determining research methodology, 2) Selecting locations and subjects for participation, 3) Gathering/Creating relevant content and data, 4) Sharing research findings with Boston Children’s Hospital and with AP, and 5) Providing an impact statement after project completion.

ANONYMOUS Philanthropy (AP) Advisors | $21,850

Pain in Child Health (PICH), An Innovative, International, Transdisciplinary Research Training Consortium | Pain in child health, an innovative, international, transdisciplinary research training consortium Phase II.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR) | $1,950,000

Limbix Spark: A CBT Based Mobile Intervention for Adolescent Depression | To develop, test, and seek FDA clearance for a cost-effective, clinically-validated, and engaging digital therapeutic that can be prescribed by pediatric primary care and psychiatric providers in order to overcome a significant barrier in access to effective care for adolescents with depression, a segment of the population with substantial unmet mental health needs.

NIH/NIMH (SBIR) | $3,643,975

Enhancing Capacity to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorders Through Expanded Community Partnerships and Tele-Mental Health Strategies Within an Urban, Underserved Population | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Psychology Program faculty have developed this proposal to enhance its APA-accredited training of health psychology post-doctoral fellows to provide integrated, interdisciplinary, behavioral health and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and other Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services. Goal I aims to train doctoral psychologists to provide integrated interdisciplinary trauma-informed OUD/SUD screening, prevention, and treatment services focusing on underserved pediatric populations in high need, high demand areas. Goal II aims to enhance doctoral psychologists’ ability to use tele-behavioral health technology to provide trauma-informed interventions (including but not limited to quality behavioral health and substance use services) in high need and high demand areas to increase access and reduce barriers to care. Goal III focuses on sustainability efforts by enhancing the ability of clinical faculty, field supervisors, and interdisciplinary staff to provide integrated trauma-informed OUD/SUD prevention and treatment and supervision and to develop and implement a sustainability plan.

Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program | $1,350,000