STARR Lab Past Research & Select Publications

1. The effect of obstructive sleep apnea severity on PTSD symptoms during the course of esketamine treatment: a retrospective clinical study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023 Aug 04. Titone MK, Hunt C, Bismark A, Nokes B, Lee E, Ramanathan D, Park J, Colvonen P. PMID: 37539643.
2. Veterans who focus on sexual assault trauma show slower between-session habituation and symptom reduction during prolonged exposure treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychol Trauma. 2023 Jun 19. Park J, Hunt C, Abirgas K, Bomyea J, Colvonen PJ. PMID: 37338445.
3. Examining the bidirectional relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters and PAP adherence. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023 05 01; 19(5):857-863. Colvonen PJ, Goldstein LA, Sarmiento KF. PMID: 36692162; PMCID: PMC10152361.
4. Sleep efficiency predicts improvements in fear extinction and PTSD symptoms during prolonged exposure for veterans with comorbid insomnia. Psychiatry Res. 2023 06; 324:115216. Hunt C, Park J, Bomyea J, Colvonen PJ. PMID: 37099850; PMCID: PMC10395069.
5. Pre-deployment threat learning predicts increased risk for post-deployment insomnia: Evidence from the Marine Resiliency Study. Behav Res Ther. 2022 12; 159:104223. Hunt C, Stout DM, Tie Z, Acheson D, Colvonen PJ, Nievergelt CM, Yurgil KA, Baker DG, Risbrough VB. PMID: 36327523; PMCID: PMC9893737.
6. STOP-BANG screener vs objective obstructive sleep apnea testing among younger veterans with PTSD and insomnia: STOP-BANG does not sufficiently detect risk. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022 01 01; 18(1):67-73. Lyons R, Barbir LA, Owens R, Colvonen PJ. PMID: 34216197; PMCID: PMC8807890.
7. Diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in a residential treatment program for veterans with substance use disorder and PTSD. Psychol Trauma. 2022 Feb; 14(2):178-185. Colvonen PJ, Rivera GL, Straus LD, Park JE, Haller M, Norman SB, Ancoli-Israel S. PMID: 34472946; PMCID: PMC8795467.
8. Response To: Investigating sources of inaccuracy in wearable optical heart rate sensors. NPJ Digit Med. 2021 Feb 26; 4(1):38. Colvonen PJ. PMID: 33637822; PMCID: PMC7910598.
9. Prevalence rates and correlates of insomnia disorder in post-9/11 veterans enrolling in VA healthcare. Sleep. 2020 12 14; 43(12). Colvonen PJ, Almklov E, Tripp JC, Ulmer CS, Pittman JOE, Afari N. PMID: 32529231; PMCID: PMC8479677.
10. Limiting racial disparities and bias for wearable devices in health science research. Sleep. 2020 10 13; 43(10). Colvonen PJ, DeYoung PN, Bosompra NA, Owens RL. PMID: 32893865; PMCID: PMC8477341.
11. Examining sleep over time in a randomized control trial comparing two integrated PTSD and alcohol use disorder treatments. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020 04 01; 209:107905. Colvonen PJ, Straus LD, Drummond SPA, Angkaw AC, Norman SB. PMID: 32065939; PMCID: PMC8515903.
12. Efficacy of Integrated Exposure Therapy vs Integrated Coping Skills Therapy for Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019 08 01; 76(8):791-799. Norman SB, Trim R, Haller M, Davis BC, Myers US, Colvonen PJ, Blanes E, Lyons R, Siegel EY, Angkaw AC, Norman GJ, Mayes T. PMID: 31017639; PMCID: PMC6487906.
13. A Review of the Relationship Between Emotional Learning and Memory, Sleep, and PTSD. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019 01 19; 21(1):2. Colvonen PJ, Straus LD, Acheson D, Gehrman P. PMID: 30661137; PMCID: PMC6645393.
14. Piloting cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia integrated with prolonged exposure. Psychol Trauma. 2019 Jan; 11(1):107-113. Colvonen PJ, Drummond SPA, Angkaw AC, Norman SB. PMID: 30211598; PMCID: PMC6312507.
15. Differential relationships of guilt and shame on posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans. Psychol Trauma. 2019 Jan; 11(1):35-42. Bannister JA, Colvonen PJ, Angkaw AC, Norman SB. PMID: 30010379.
16. Recent Advancements in Treating Sleep Disorders in Co-Occurring PTSD. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2018 06 21; 20(7):48. Colvonen PJ, Straus LD, Stepnowsky C, McCarthy MJ, Goldstein LA, Norman SB. PMID: 29931537; PMCID: PMC6645398.
17. Anxiety sensitivity in the association between posttraumatic stress and substance use disorders: A systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2018 06; 62:37-55. Vujanovic AA, Farris SG, Bartlett BA, Lyons RC, Haller M, Colvonen PJ, Norman SB. PMID: 29778929.
18. Examining Insomnia and PTSD Over Time in Veterans in Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorders and PTSD. Behav Sleep Med. 2019 Jul-Aug; 17(4):524-535. Colvonen PJ, Ellison J, Haller M, Norman SB. PMID: 29364693; PMCID: PMC6645391.
19. Corrigendum to "Pretreatment biomarkers predicting PTSD psychotherapy outcomes: A systematic review" [Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 75 (2017) 140-156]. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018 01; 84:495. Colvonen PJ, Glassman LH, Crocker LD, Buttner MM, Orff H, Schiehser DM, Norman SB, Afari N. PMID: 28951017.
20. Advancing Treatment of Comorbid PTSD and OSA. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 06 15; 13(6):843-844. Goldstein LA, Colvonen PJ, Sarmiento KF. PMID: 28454602; PMCID: PMC5443749.
21. Pretreatment biomarkers predicting PTSD psychotherapy outcomes: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017 Apr; 75:140-156. Colvonen PJ, Glassman LH, Crocker LD, Buttner MM, Orff H, Schiehser DM, Norman SB, Afari N. PMID: 28143760.
22. Examining Pretreatment Differences Between Veterans in Residential Versus Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Combat-Related PTSD. J Dual Diagn. 2016 Jul-Dec; 12(3-4):282-289. Haller M, Colvonen PJ, Davis BC, Trim RS, Bogner R, Sevcik J, Norman SB. PMID: 27808661.
23. Prolonged Exposure with Veterans in a residential treatment program. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2016; 2(23):162-172. Norman, S.B., Davis, B.C., Colvonen, P., Haller, M., Myers, U.S., Trim, R.S., Bogner, R., Robinson, S.K.
24. Prevalence and Mental Health Correlates of Insomnia in First-Encounter Veterans with and without Military Sexual Trauma. Sleep. 2015 Oct 01; 38(10):1547-54. Jenkins MM, Colvonen PJ, Norman SB, Afari N, Allard CB, Drummond SP. PMID: 26085301; PMCID: PMC4576328.
25. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Apr 15; 11(5):513-8. Colvonen PJ, Masino T, Drummond SP, Myers US, Angkaw AC, Norman SB. PMID: 25665698; PMCID: PMC4410924.
26. Adolescents' smoking outcome expectancies and acute emotional responses following smoking. Nicotine Tob Res. 2010 Dec; 12(12):1203-10. Colvin PJ, Mermelstein RJ. PMID: 20978107; PMCID: PMC2991622.
27. A review of opioid dependence treatment: pharmacological and psychosocial interventions to treat opioid addiction. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010 Mar; 30(2):155-66. Veilleux JC, Colvin PJ, Anderson J, York C, Heinz AJ. PMID: 19926374.
28. Dating and changes in adolescent cigarette smoking: does partner smoking behavior matter? Nicotine Tob Res. 2009 Oct; 11(10):1226-30. Mermelstein RJ, Colvin PJ, Klingemann SD. PMID: 19648175; PMCID: PMC2746838.

• https://news.va.gov/98979/better-sleep-can-help-veterans-with-ptsd/
• https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/exclusive-google-searches-new-measure-skin-tones-curb-bias-products-2021-06-18/
• https://magazine.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2021/05/28/skin-deep-racial-bias-in-wearable-tech/
• https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/sep/29/researchers-warns-accuracy-some-fitness-trackers-m/
• https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/uc-san-diego-researcher-sounds-alarm-over-inaccurate-wearable-device-tech/2410858/
• https://www.research.va.gov/currents/1020-Insomnia-disorder-common-in-post-9-11-Veterans.cfm
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150519182243.htm

This study aimed to examine whether integrating insomnia and PTSD treatment will enhance sleep, PTSD, and quality of life outcomes. This was a randomized control trial comparing integrated evidence based CBT-I into PE (CBTI-PE) versus to a non-active sleep component plus PE (hygiene-PE) to optimize PTSD, sleep, and quality of life outcomes in 90 Veterans.

By using CBT-I prior to, and integrated with, PE offers several novel advantages that will: 1) increase client-centered treatment by addressing the number one subjective complaint among Veterans with PTSD; 2) enhance PTSD outcomes and non-response rates by addressing insomnia-related factors that interfere with PTSD treatment; 3) act as a stepping stone and help to engage patients who are not initially willing to engage in trauma-focused PE; 4) increase rehabilitation outcomes by addressing the two leading disorders that independently affect quality of life for Veterans; 5) allow patients to address both symptoms of insomnia and PTSD within a shortened timeframe; 6) increase continuity by allowing patients to work with a single provider; and 7) decrease the risk of attrition between referral clinics and waitlists.

Besides this one, no studies have capitalized on available evidence-based CBT-I prior to PE to improve insomnia, PTSD, and quality of life outcomes. Findings from the proposed study will offer a unique opportunity to determine the malleability of mechanisms (e.g., Total sleep time, Sleep efficiency) that can improve recovery outcomes among this vulnerable population and to inform future treatment development and research. Improved PTSD, insomnia, and quality of life outcomes can decrease risk of chronic impairment and ultimately help affected Veterans live richer, more productive lives.

12% UCSD effort

The objective of this study was to collect data comparing the Zensorium Biosensing Wearable Device (zBWD) to polysomnography (PSG) in individuals with Sleep-Wake Disorders. zBWD is similar to other wearable devices (e.g., fitbit and apple watch) that use an optical light sensor and Tri-axis Accelerometer to record steps, activity, sleep/awake states, sleep staging, and statistical variation of pulse pressure to track stress. Specifically, it is designed to report sleep duration, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep duration. However, zBWD had not been validated against PSG for sleep tracking in healthy controls or in individuals with sleep-wake disorders.

(4/01/2022 – 09/30/2022)

Granting Agency: CESAMH Pilot Grant 

Goal: Collect pilot data on feasibility of startle and polysomnography.

(2/15/2019 - 2/14/2020)

Granting Agency: UCSD Academic Senate Grant

Total: $10,000.00

Goal: To examine the feasibility of an OSA screening protocol on veterans with PTSD and SUDs in a residential treatment program for SUDs.

{5/01/15 – 4/30/16)

Granting Agency: CESAMH Pilot Grant 

Goal: Further demonstrate that Veterans can tolerate and engage in CBTI integrated with PE

Publication: Colvonen, 2018