This list represents a selection of active projects in the lab. This list is not exhaustive – members of our research team often contribute to multiple projects at once and Dr. Adams provides statistical and content consultation on collaborators’ studies. Graduate members and advanced undergraduate students in the lab have access to data from current lab projects, may choose to lead their own projects, and/or often use other available datasets (e.g., publicly available surveys) to lead their own investigations.
Pain Experiences Among Women Living with HIV and Chronic Pain
This pilot study focuses on the chronic pain treatment experiences of women living with HIV and chronic pain. The goal of this study is to understand these women’s experiences, perspectives, and desires with regard to pain treatment.
Status: Recruiting new participants – Please email Dr. Adams ([email protected]) for more information if you are interested in participating in this study.
PACIFIC Study
This is a clinical trial investigating the combination of exercise and educational classes to improve pain management and increase physical activity among older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Participants attend a virtual CDC-recommended group-based exercise program and are randomly assigned to one of two group-based education classes. This study is led by Dr. Kushang Patel (University of Washington) and Dr. Adams is a study Co-Investigator. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Aging).
Status: Data collection complete; Data analysis & dissemination
Spinal Cord Injury Disability Identity Development (SCIDID)
This pilot study examines the development and early correlates of disability identity among adults with new spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D). To date, very few studies have examined the development of disability identity among adults with SCI/D, and even fewer have examined its establishment in the initial stages of living with SCI/D. This study assesses people’s experiences over the first nine months of adapting to their new SCI/D diagnosis. This study is co-led by Dr. Renee Madathil (University of Rochester Medical Center) and Dr. Adams, and is funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.
Status: Data collection complete; Data analysis & dissemination
Telehealth Equity Project
This study examined how Virginia’s Medicaid telehealth policies, which were expanded in during the COVID-19 pandemic, could be further adapted to advance health equity in a “post COVID-19” world. Various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, patients, and representatives from managed care organizations, shared their experiences with telehealth, including barriers and facilitators to care, in individual interviews. This study was co-led by Dr. Alison Cuellar-Evans (GMU Health Administration and Policy) and Dr. Adams, and was funded by the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation.
Status: Study completed.
Learn about this study’s findings: Edmonson, K. S., Owens-Jasey, C. E., Adams, L. M., & Cuellar, A. E. (2025). Medicaid telehealth policy in marginalized communities: Perspectives from Virginia patients and providers. Medical care research and review : MCRR, 10775587251331756. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775587251331756