Research Projects

Dr. V. has worked closely with researchers evaluating the effects and mechanisms of mindfulness-based interventions since 2010. She has been involved in studies testing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and has led the adaptation of MBCT for delivery over the telephone (MBCT-T). She is now involved in testing MBCT-T with different patient populations including adults with hypertension and elevated depressive symptoms, women with a recent heart event, adults seeking pain management support prior to surgical interventions, and adults with migraines. Dr. V.’s responsibilities on research studies include adapting and developing MBCT and MBCT-T protocols, facilitating MBCT and MBCT-T groups, and training and supervising facilitators of MBCT-T protocols. She also provides consultation to principal investigators regarding mindfulness theory/concepts as well as clinical considerations in patient/participant recruitment and retention. Recent projects are listed below.

A Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Patients with Comorbid Depression and Chronic Disease

September 2016 - August 2021

To test the effects of a telephone-delivered version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-T) for patients with co-morbid depression and hypertension.

Project Type & Site: Academic Research; NYU Langone Health; NY, NY

Funder: NIH/NCCIH

Role: Consultant/Interventionist

Feasibility and Impact of Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Reducing Preoperative Catastrophizing and Improving Pain Outcomes After Spine Surgery

April 2019 - March 2020

To adapt and test a telephone-delivered version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-T) for spine patients with chronic pain.

Project Type & Site: Academic Research; NYU Langone Health; NY, NY

Funder: NIH/NCATS

Role: Consultant/Interventionist

Go Red for Women Telephone-Based Stress Management For Women With Myocardial Infarction

April 2016 - March 2020

The goal of this project is to evaluate effects of a telephone-delivered version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-T) on perceived stress and associated health outcomes in women with myocardial infarction.

Project Type & Site: Academic Research; NYU Langone Health; NY, NY

Funder: American Heart Association

Role: Consultant/Interventionist

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients in Recovery

July 2015 - June 2016

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) vs. Treatment as Usual (TAU) for reducing psychological distress in female breast cancer patients in recovery.

Project Type & Site: Academic Research; NYU Clinical Cancer Center; NY, NY

Funder: NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center

Role: Consultant/Interventionist

The Effects and Mechanisms of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression Relapse Prevention

February 2010 - January 2013

This study aims to compare the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to an active control condition on depression outcomes and to examine cognitive mechanisms underlying MBCT’s effects.

Project Type & Site: Academic Research; University of Denver, Department of Psychology; Denver, CO

Funder: NIH/NCCAM

Role: Consultant/Interventionist