We invite you to read this article if you are interested in learning more about alcohol and substance use in Puerto Rican adults. Together with collaborators, we conducted an exploratory study that sought to determine if there was a significant difference in coping strategies and psychopathological symptoms between two groups during the COVID-19 quarantine: one that used substances as a management method and another with little or no alcohol or substance use. In turn, anecdotes associated with the experience of isolation, coping strategies used, motivations for substance use, changes in consumption patterns, effects on health and quality of life, and experiences with mental health services and medical cannabis dispensaries were collected. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, we invite you to access the full article in the Revista Caribeña de Psicología.

​

López-Rodríguez, V., Montalván-López, A., Díaz-García, A., Scott, G., & Ramos-Lucca, A. (2023). Alcohol or Substance Use During Quarantine: Psychopathological Symptoms and Coping Strategies. Caribbean Journal of Psychology, 7(1), e7457. https://doi.org/10.37226/rcp.v7i1.7457

Learn about the feasibility and acceptability of environmental enrichment interventions for patients with endometriosis. As part of the research team led by experts in this field such as Dr. Idhaliz Flores, Dr. Annelyn Torres-Reverón, and Dr. Caroline Appleyard, the feasibility of these interventions for this population was evaluated. Findings from this novel study suggest that environmental enrichment interventions can be translated into an acceptable and versatile multimodal integrative therapy for patients with endometriosis. Discover more about this type of intervention in the journal Frontiers in Global Women’s Health.

​

Nieves-Vázquez, C. I., Detrés-Marquéz, A. C., Torres-Reverón, A., Appleyard, C. B., Llorens-De Jesús, A. P., Resto, I. N., López-Rodríguez, V., Ramos-Echevarría, P. M., Castro, E. M., & Flores, I. (2023). Feasibility and acceptability of an adapted environmental enrichment intervention for endometriosis: A pilot study. Frontiers in global women's health, 3, 1058559. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.1058559

Environmental enrichment interventions have proven effective as complementary approaches to address signs and symptoms associated with mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Alongside a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Idhaliz Flores and clinical psychologists like Dr. Bárbara Barros, the psychological component has been incorporated into these interventions. Learn more about them in the Journal Frontiers in Psychology.

​

De Hoyos, G., Ramos-Sostre, D., Torres-Reverón, A., Barros-Cartagena, B., López-Rodríguez, V., Nieves-Vázquez, C., Santiago-Saavedra, F., Appleyard, C. B., Castro, E. M., & Flores, I. (2023). Efficacy of an environmental enrichment intervention for endometriosis: a pilot study. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1225790. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1225790

If you are interested in oncology or sleep hygiene, we invite you to read this abstract. Alongside a research team led by Dr. Jennifer Morales Cruz and coordinated by Dr. Alejandro Montalván López, we explored how the COVID-19 pandemic and confinement had affected sleep disorders in Puerto Rican breast cancer survivors. Hispanic women are more susceptible to insomnia, significantly impacting their quality of life. Discover more about the findings in the Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal.

​

Morales-Cruz, J., Montalván-López, A., De León-Casillas, C. E., Molina-San Miguel, S. O., López-Rodríguez, V., Gonzalez, B. D. (2023). Changes in sleep patterns during COVID-19 pandemic among breast cancer survivors [Scientific Day Abstract Supplement]. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 42(1), 34.             https://prhsj.rcm.upr.edu/index.php/prhsj/article/view/3203/1507

Alongside the research team led by Dr. Idhaliz Flores, a study was conducted to determine if the measures implemented to mitigate COVID-19 infections had a substantial impact on risk behaviors, symptoms of endometriosis, stress levels, and access to medical care. If you're interested in learning more about the findings of this study, you can access the Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders.

​

Ramos-Echevarría, P.M., Soto-Soto, D.M., Torres-Reverón, A., Appleyard, C.B., Akkawi, T.      Barros-Cartagena, B., López-Rodríguez, V., Castro-Figueroa, E.M., Flores-Caldera,         I. (2021). Impact of the early COVID-19 era on endometriosis patients: Symptoms, stress, and access to care. Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders.           https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/22840265211009634

Alongside Dr. Bárbara Barros Cartagena, a workshop titled Stress and Chronic Pain Management Strategies from a Multidisciplinary Approach was conducted. Learn more about the discussions held in the review by Perla Alessandra Hernández in the magazine EsMental.

Read more here: https://www.esmental.com/los-efectos-del-dolor-cronico-en-la-salud-mental-y-como-manejarlos/