Current Research Studies  

• SMART HEART Study

• INSPIRE Study

• SMILE Study

• DISCOVER Study

• ENRICHD

SMART HEART Study

What is Smart Heart?

SMART HEART is a collaborative study between Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina Hospitals examining the relationship between mental stress and coronary artery disease.

The study is designed to evaluate the benefits of exercise training and stress management programs.

This investigation builds upon previous research showing that stress-induced myocardial ischemia (temporary inadequate blood supply to the heart) is associated with adverse health outcomes, which may be improved with exercise or stress management.

Principal Investigators of Smart Heart are Dr. James Blumenthal and Dr. Andrew Sherwood. The study is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Who is eligible?

1. Persons with history of coronary artery disease, documented by any of the following:

   • Previous myocardial infarction (heart attack)

   • Prior coronary revascularization, such as bypass surgery, balloon angioplasty, or stent

   • Previous cardiac catheterization with more than 75% stenosis (blockage) in at least one coronary artery

2. Positive exercise treadmill test or positive MUGA/Thallium scan in last 2 years

3. Not currently enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program

What does it entail?

• General physical examination

• Series of initial assessments (blood pressure/ECG monitoring, imaging of the heart and arteries)

• Random assignment to one of three groups: stress management, aerobic exercise, or usual care

• Sixteen-week intervention followed by repeat of initial assessments

• Annual telephone or mail contact for 5 years after study completion

What are the benefits?

• Free medical assessments

• Free sixteen-week exercise or stress management program (for most participants)

• $300 upon completion of study

• Improve your health

• Contribute to science

Dr. James Blumenthal, Dr. Andrew Sherwood, Dr. Robert Waugh, Dr. Edward Coleman, Dr. Anastasia Georgiades, Dr. Kathy Light, Kelly Diven, PA, Michael Ellis, RDMS, RVT, Lee M. Peirson, MS, Richard Bloomer, Margaret Stewart, Rebecca Thurston, and Stacey Schiller

Dr. Alan Hinderliter and Bobbie White, RN

For further information contact Anastasia Georgiades at (919) 681-4280 or by email at georg023@mc.duke.edu

The INSPIRE Study

The INSPIRE Study is a collaborative study between Duke University Medical Center and Washington University Medical School evaluating the benefits of a telephone-based stress management and coping skills training program in people who are awaiting a lung transplant.

The Principal Investigator of INSPIRE is Dr. James Blumenthal and the Medical Director is Dr. Scott Palmer. The study is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Anyone who is listed for a lung transplant can join the study.

Baseline Evaluation

• Packet of questionnaires

• Tests of memory and concentration

• Interview with a study staff member

Random Assignment to 1 of 2 Groups

• Stress management (by phone), or

• Usual care

12-Week Treatment

• Stress management - participants will receive a phone call every week for 12 weeks from an INSPIRE interventionist to help reduce stress and learn new skills to better cope with lung disease and upcoming transplant.

• Usual care - participants will continue with routine and usual treatments and will not receive the 12 telephone training sessions.

Follow-up Evaluations

• after 3 months

• after transplant surgery

• after 12 months

The INSPIRE staff interventionists are all psychologists who have been trained to work with patients who have lung disease. Study staff includes Elizabeth Gullette, Ph.D., Jennifer Norten, Ph.D., Kari Merrill, Ph.D., Kelli Colgan, and Beth Floyd.

Interested participants will be schedule for the baseline evaluation during their next Duke visit. They will then be given their group assignment. Those assigned to the treatment group will receive a phone call from a therapist in the next few days.

For further information, contact the Study Coordinator, Dr. Elizabeth Gullette, at (919) 681-3054 or by email at gulle002@mc.duke.edu.

The SMILE Study

Standard Medical Intervention and Long-term Exercise for the Treatment of Depression in Adults Aged 50+

The SMILE Study was designed to investigate exercise as a treatment for depression in middle-aged and older adults. After a series of assessments, eligible participants are randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) Supervised Exercise; (2)Home-based Exercise; (3) Medication (Zoloft); or (4) Placebo ("sugar pill"). The treatments are four months in duration and are offered free of charge.

Eligible participants must be:
50 years of age or older.
Not currently taking antidepressant medication (or, willing to come off medication for the study).
Not currently exercising.
Willing to be randomly assigned to the treatment groups.

Benefits of participation include:
Free assessments
A free 4-month treatment program
$100 compensation upon completion of the study
An opportunity to improve your health and contribute to science

For more information about this study, contact the study coordinator, Dr. Alisha Hart, at (919) 681-2612.

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