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PsychologyDr Michael Ussher, Senior Lecturer in Psychology Michael’s research focuses on developing and testing interventions for smoking cessation and for promoting physical activity. A. Current research projects (as Principal Investigator) 1. A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of physical activity as an aid to smoking cessation during pregnancy. National Institute for Health Research, Health Technology Assessment Programme (DoH), 2008-2013 £1.1 million. This study is assessing whether a adding a programme of regular physical activity (e.g. brisk walking) to a standard smoking cessation programme can improve success rates. 2. Effect of hydrocortisone on tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Cancer Research UK, £35,000, 2007-2008. This involves comparing the effect of a single dose of 40mg hydrocortisone vs 20 mg hydrocortisone vs placebo on tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms on the first day of smoking abstinerce. 3. A comparison of desire to smoke and cigarette withdrawal symptoms in pregnant and non-pregnant women smokers. Not funded. B. Recent publications (2003- ) 1. Ussher M, West R (2003) Diurnal variations in first lapses to smoking for nicotine patch users. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 18, 345-349. 2. Ussher M, West R (2003) Interest in nicotine replacement therapy amongst pregnant smokers. Tobacco Control, 12, 108-109. 3. McEwen A, Mitchell S, West R, Ussher M (2003) Problems identifying pregnant smokers. British Journal of Midwifery (research letter), 11, 248. 4. Ussher M, West R, Steptoe A, McEwen A (2003) Increase in common cold symptoms and mouth ulcers following smoking cessation. Tobacco Control, 12, 86-88. 5. Ussher MH, West R, McEwen A, Taylor A, Steptoe A (2003) Efficacy of exercise counselling as an aid to smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial. Addiction, 98, 523-532. 6. Ussher M, Hibbs N, West R (2004) A survey of pregnant smokers' interest in different types of smoking cessation support. Patient Education and Counseling, 54, 67-72. 11. Ussher M, West R, Evans P, Steptoe A, McEwen A, Clow A, Hucklebridge F (2004) Acute reduction in Secretory immunoglobulin A following smoking cessation. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29, 1335-1340. 7. Daniel J, Cropley M, Ussher M, West R (2004) Acute effects of a short bout of moderate versus light intensity exercise versus inactivity on tobacco withdrawal symptoms in sedentary smokers. Psychopharmacology, 174, 320-326. 8. Ussher M, SampuranAK, Doshi R, West R, DrummondDC (2004) Acute effect of a brief bout of exercise on alcohol urges. Addiction, 99, 12, 1542-7. 9. Taylor A, Katomeri M, Ussher M (2005) Acute effects of self-paced walking on urges to smoke during temporary smoking abstinence. Psychopharmacology, 181, 1-7. 10. Ussher M (2005) Exercise interventions in smoking cessation. Tobacco Addiction Module of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1, Oxford, The Cochrane Collaboration, Update Software, CD002295. 11. Luck A, Waller G, Meyer C, Ussher M, Lacey H (2005). The role of schema processes in the Eating Disorders. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 29, 6, 717-732. 13. Taylor A, Katomeri M, Ussher M. Effects of walking on cigarette cravings and affect in the context of Nesbitt’s paradox and the circumplex model (2006) Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 28, 18-31. 14. West R, Ussher M, Evans M, Rashid M (2006) Assessing DSM-IV nicotine withdrawal symptoms: a comparison and evaluation of five different scales. Psychopharmacology, 184, 619-27. 15. Steptoe A, Ussher M (2006) Smoking, cortisol and nicotine. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 59, 228-35. 18. Ussher M, Etter JF, West R (2006) Perceived barriers to and benefits of attending a stop smoking course during pregnancy. Patient Education and Counseling, 61, 467-472. 19. Ussher MH, West R, McEwen A, Taylor A, Steptoe A (2007) Randomized controlled trial of physical activity counseling as an aid to smoking cessation: 12 month follow-up. Addictive Behaviors, 32, 3060-64. 20. Cahill K, Ussher M (2007) Cannabinoid type I receptor antagonists (rimonabant) for smoking cessation. Tobacco Addiction Module of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3, CD005353, Oxford, The Cochrane Collaboration, Update Software. 21. Ussher M, Ah-Yoon M, West R, Straus L (2007) Factors associated with exercise participation and attitudes to exercise among pregnant smokers. Journal of Smoking cessation, 2, 12-16 22. Taylor AH, Ussher MH, Faulkner G (2007) The acute effects of exercise on cigarette cravings, withdrawal symptoms, affect and smoking behaviour: A systematic review. Addiction, 102, 534-543. 23. Cropley M, Ussher M, Charitou E (2007). Acute effects of a guided relaxation 24. Everson E, Daley A, Ussher M (2007) The Theory of Planned Behaviour applied to physical activity in young people who smoke. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 347-51. 25. Ussher M, Stanbury L, Cheeseman V, Faulkner G (2007). Physical activity preferences and perceived barriers to activity among those with severe mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 58, 405-408. 26. Ussher MH, Owen CG, Cook DG, Whincup PH (2007) The relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and psychological wellbeing among adolescents. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 42, 851-56. C. Main psychology teaching contributions for Michael Ussher Leader for Module on Methods of Behaviour Change, MSc Health Sciences. Leader and tutor for psychology teaching on 4 and 5 year MBBS medical degrees. Supervisor of Intercalated BSc Psychology Projects. Mphil/PhD Supervisor (2 students) Dr Linda Perkins-Porras, Lecturer in Social & Behavioural Sciences Linda’s research focuses on pre-hospital delay in admission of patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes, and on emotional and psychological factors affecting adjustment following hospital discharge among patients with coronary heart disease. A. Current research (as co-investigator) Title: ‘Tracking recovery in coronary heart disease (TRACE) study’.The aim of this study is to understand the factors contributing to emotional distress in patients who experience an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the relationship between emotional responses and inflammatory, neuroendocrine and autonomic processes, and the relevance of emotional responses to later adaptation and quality of life. We expect that learning more about the trajectory of psychological responses and their relationship to biological changes in acute coronary disease will generate insights into management, the promotion of adherence to medication and lifestyle advice, and the prevention of damaging depressive symptoms.The study is a collaborative study between UCL and St George’sUniversity of Londonfunded by the British Heart Foundation and the Medical Research Council. B. Recent publications (2003-): 2008 Molloy,G.J.; Perkins-Porras,L.; Strike,P.C.; Steptoe,A. (2008) Social networks and partner stress as predictors of adherence to medication, rehabilitation attendance, and quality of life following acute coronary syndrome Health Psychology 27:52-58 2007 Whitehead DL, Perkins-Porras L, Strike PC and Steptoe A (2007) Cortisol Awakening response is elevated in acute coronary syndrome patients with Type D personality Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine 62:419-425 Bhattacharyya MM, Perkins-Porras L, Whitehead D andSteptoe A (2007) Psychological predictors of return to work after acute coronary syndromeEuropean Heart Journal 28:160-165 2006 Steptoe A, Strike PC, Perkins-Porras L, McEwan J, Whitehead D (2006) Acute depressed mood as a trigger of acute coronary syndromesBiological Psychiatry 60:837 — 842 Perkins-Porras L, Whitehead D, Strike PC, Steptoe A (2006) Patients’ beliefs about the causes of heart disease: Relationships with risk factors, gender and sociodemographic status.European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation 13:724-730 Whitehead D, Perkins-Porras L, Strike PC, Steptoe A (2006) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Cardiac Patients: Predicting Vulnerability from Emotional Responses during Admission for Acute Coronary Syndromes Heart 92:1225 - 1229 Strike PC, Perkins-Porras L, Whitehead D, McEwan J, Steptoe A (2006) Triggering of Acute Coronary Syndromes by Physical Exertion and Anger: Clinical and Sociodemographic CharacteristicsHeart 92 (8):1035 - 1040 2005 Whitehead D, Strike PC, Perkins-Porras L, Steptoe A (2005) Frequency of Distress and Fear of Dying during Acute Coronary Syndromes and Consquences for Adaptation. American Journal of CardiologyAmerican Journal of Cardiology 96(11):1512 - 1516. Perkins-Porras L , McKay C, Cappuccio FP, Rink E, Hilton S, Steptoe A (2005) Does The Effect Of Behavioral Counseling On Fruit And Vegetable Intake Vary With Stage Of Readiness To Change? Preventive Medicine Vol 40(3):314-320 2004 Steptoe A, Perkins-Porras L, McKay C, Rink E, Hilton S, Cappuccio FP, (2004) Psychological and Social Predictors of Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption over 12 months following Behavioral and Nutrition Education Counseling.Health Psychology Vol 23 (6):574-581 Steptoe A, Perkins-Porras L, McKay C, Rink E, Hilton S, Cappuccio FP, (2004) Quality of Life and Self-Rated Health in Relation to Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Plasma Vitamins C & E in a Randomised Trial of Behavioural and Nutritional Education Counselling.British Journal of Nutrition 92(1):177-84. 2003 Steptoe A, Perkins-Porras L, McKay C, Rink E, Hilton S, Cappuccio FP, (2003) Behavioural Counselling To Increase Consumption Of Fruit And Vegetables In Low Income Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial.British Medical Journal 326:855-858
A Simple Measure of Fruit and Vegetable Intake for use in Primary Care.Feasibility Study using Bio-Markers.Nutrition Metabolic Cardiovascular Disease 13:12-19 C. Main teaching contributions for Linda Perkins-Porras Leader for Module on Communication and Interpersonal Issues in health, MSc Health Sciences. Tutor for psychology teaching on 4 and 5 year MBBS medical degrees. Also a tutor for sociology teaching on 4 and 5 year MBBS medical degrees. |
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