There are multiple research volunteer opportunities at the SSIHI. Volunteers can gain experience in conducting literature reviews, participant recruitment, REDCap development and management, research procedures and protocols, and research deliverables (abstracts, posters, publications).
If you are interested in volunteering for SSIHI research studies, please contact gchrist3@hs.uci.edu with your information and why you think you will be an asset to our research team.
The following opportunities are available:
Electroacupuncture and Hypertension Research
Lead Researcher: Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH
Time Period: Ongoing
Objective
Sensory nerves located beneath acupoints send information to several regions in the brain that receive input from many other acupoints, as well as from visceral organs. The purpose of this research program is to investigate a novel treatment on high blood pressure. The study will investigate whether blood pressure and heart rate will be decreased at rest after a low current of electrical stimulation (electroacupuncture EA) is delivered through the arms, legs and torso.
Findings
These studies provide new information about how acupuncture works to lower blood pressure, including mechanisms related to anti-inflammatory and sympathoinhibitory pathways.
Assistance Needed
Surveys/Questionnaires
30-minute electroacupuncture (EA) therapy sessions
Blood pressure, EndoPAT (non-invasive measurement of early endothelial damage ), heart rate variability, etc.
