Judith M. Schlaeger, PhD, CNM, LAc, FACNM, FAAN
Associate Professor
Department of Human Development Nursing Science
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Contact
Building & Room:
824 NURS
Address:
845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612
Office Phone:
Email:
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About
Dr. Schlaeger is a pain scientist. She is focused on the development of translational treatments for chronic pain. Dr. Schlaeger has an extensive background as a practicing licensed acupuncturist where she developed her interest in researching pain; and as a certified nurse midwife where she developed her interest in developing treatments for vulvodynia, a chronic pain syndrome, which has no consistently effective treatments. Dr. Schlaeger is grounded in Western medicine and trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr. Schlaeger has already made 2 major contributions to science. First, she demonstrated that in an unblinded study, her standardized acupuncture treatment protocol significantly reduced the pain and dyspareunia of vulvodynia. Second, she demonstrated in her completed NINR R21 using her standardized acupuncture protocol, that acupuncture was feasible and acceptable, as well as significant for the reduction of angina pain, increase in functional status, and quality of life. Dr. Schlaeger has three currently funded NIH acupuncture studies, an R01, a second R01, and a UG3/UH3 that are focused on using acupuncture for three chronic pain conditions. The first R01 is testing a double-blind phase two randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Acupuncture on Patient Vulvodynia Outcomes. The second R01 is a 2-site efficacy trial of acupuncture for symptoms of stable angina that continues her R21 work. The UG3/UH3, GRACE Trial, is a 1-year planning mechanism and a 4-year RCT that tests the effectiveness of acupuncture and guided relaxation for sickle cell disease pain in 3 separate healthcare systems. Collaborating with the UIC sickle cell research team, through self-report measures as well as QST testing, we found early evidence that the pain of SCD may have a neuropathic component. In addition, Dr. Schlaeger's background of understanding the origins of chronic pain greatly allows her to contribute to the evaluation of pain in sickle cell disease patients.
Dr. Schlaeger’s integration of TCM and western medicine in women’s health practice and research offers a treatment paradigm that has attracted citations in the United States, Europe, and Asia, including the National Vulvodynia Association in its continuing medical education program, the European Guidelines for the Management of Vulvodynia, and the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease for its policies and guidelines for the treatment of vulvodynia.
Her dedication to women’s health also includes teaching workshops on the use of acupressure in labor, which provides non-drug options for the reduction of pain, to certified nurse midwives and labor and delivery nurses.
Selected Grants
NIH/NICHD R01, Double-blind Phase 2 RCT: Effect of Acupuncture on Patient Vulvodynia Outcomes, Principal Investigator
NIH/NINR R01, Effects of Acupuncture on Symptoms of Stable Angina: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Multiple Principal Investigator
NIH/NCCIH HEAL INITIATIVE UG3/UH3, Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Guided Relaxation and Acupuncture for Chronic Sickle Cell Disease Pain, Multiple Principal Investigator
NIH/NICHD Administrative Supplement, Postpartum Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Prevention: Intensive Risk Assessment, Education and Monitoring, Co-Investigator
NIH/NINR F31, Characterization of Vulvodynia and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Pain in Women, Sponsor
NIH/NINR F31, Cervical Remodeling in the Postpartum Period, Co-Sponor
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Reinvestigation of Katakori (Neck/Shoulder Stiffness) in Japan: Comparing It with Neck Pain in the US, Consultant
NIH/NCCIH R34, Implementing Acupuncture into A Federally Qualified Health Center for Multiple Symptoms among Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Endocrine Therapy, Co-Investigator
NIH/NCI R21, A Multi-Omics Study of the Effect and Mechanisms of Acupuncture on Psychoneurological Symptoms Among Breast Cancer Survivors, Co-Investigator
Heilbrunn Nurse Scholar Award, Rockefeller University, Characterization of Vulvodynia and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Pain in Females, Sponsor
Selected Publications
Steffen AD, Burke LA, Pauls HA, Suarez ML, Yao Y, Kobak WH, Takayama M, Yajima H, Kaptchuk TJ, Takakura N, Wilkie DJ, Schlaeger JM. Double-blinding of an acupuncture randomized controlled trial optimized with clinical translational science award resources. Clinical Trials Journal. July 10, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/1740774520934910
Molokie, R. E., Wang, Z. J., Yao, Y., Powell-Roach, K. L., Schlaeger, J. M., Suarez, M. L., Shuey, D. A., Angulo, V., Carrasco, J., Ezenwa, M. O., Fillingim, R. B., Wilkie, D. J. Sensitivities to Thermal and Mechanical Stimuli: Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Compared to Healthy, Pain-free African American Controls. The Journal of Pain. November 13, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.002.
Schlaeger, J. M., Cain, K. C., Myklebust, E. K., Powell-Roach, K. L., Dyal, B. W., Wilkie, D. J. Hospitalized Patients Quantify Verbal Pain Intensity Descriptors: Methodological Issues and Values for 26 Descriptors. PAIN. October 8, 2019. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001716. PMID: 31599851
Powell-Roach, K. L., Yao, Y., Rutherford J. N., Schlaeger, J. M., Patil, C. L., Suarez, M. L., Angulo,V., Shuey, D., Carrasco, J., Ezenwa, M. O., Fillingim, R. B., Wang, Z. J., Molokie, R. E., Wilkie, D. J. Thermal and Mechanical Quantitative Sensory Testing Values Among Healthy African American Adults. Journal of Pain Research. August 8, 2019. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S211855
Schlaeger, J.M., Cai, H.Y., Steffen, A.D., Angulo, V., Shroff, A., Briller, J.E., Hoppensteadt, D., Uwizeye, G., Pauls, H.A., Takayama, M., Yajima, H., Takakura, N., DeVon HA. Acupuncture to Improve Symptoms of Stable Angina (AIMSA): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2019 Jul 29. https://doi.org/10.2196/14705.
Schlaeger, J. M., Pauls, H. A., Powell-Roach, K. L., Thornton, P. D., Hartmann, D., Suarez, M. L., Kobak, W. H., Hughes, T. L., Steffen, A. D., Patil, C. L. Vulvodynia, “A Really Great Torturer”: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study Examining Pain Experiences and Drug/Non-drug Pain Relief Strategies. Journal of Sexual Medicine. July 24, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.05.004.
Schlaeger, J.M., Cai, H.Y., Steffen, A.D., Angulo, V., Shroff, A., Briller, J.E., Hoppensteadt, D., Uwizeye, G., Pauls, H.A., Takayama, M., Yajima, H., Takakura, N., DeVon HA. Acupuncture to Improve Symptoms of Stable Angina (AIMSA): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2019 Jul 29. https://doi.org/10.2196/14705.
Schlaeger, J. M., Patil, C. L., Steffen, A. D., Pauls, H. A., Roach, K. L., Thornton, P. D., Hartmann, D., Kobak, W. H., Yao, Y., Suarez, M. L., Hughes, T. L., Wilkie, D. J. Sensory Pain Characteristics of Vulvodynia and their Association with Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain: An Online Survey Pilot Study. PAIN Reports. 2019 February. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000713. PMID: 31041417.
Schlaeger, J. M., Cai, H. Y., Xu, N., Steffen, A. D., Wang, L., Wilkie, D. J. Do Vulvodynia TCM Patterns Differ by Pain Types? Beginning Evidence Supporting the Concept. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2017 May 1. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0353.
Schlaeger, J. M., Xu, N., Mejta, C. L., Park, C., Wilkie, D. J. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vulvodynia: A Randomized Wait-list Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2015; 12(4): 1019-1027. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12830.
Education
2014 Postdoctoral Fellowship. University of Illinois at Chicago, Center of Excellence for End-of-Life Transition. Research Mentor: Diana J. Wilkie, PhD, RN, FAAN
2009- 2013 Doctor of Philosophy. Acupuncture Science. Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine; Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China. Dissertation: “Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vulvodynia”
1999-2005 Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine. Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, IL
1999-2005 Bachelors of Science in Nutrition. Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, IL
1999-2002 Diploma in Acupuncture. Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, IL
1986-1988 Masters of Science in Nurse-Midwifery. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
1977-1980 Bachelors of Science in Nursing. University of Illinois at Chicago,
Chicago, IL
Licensures and Certifications
2003-present Certification in Acupuncture, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
2003-present Licensed Acupuncturist, State of Illinois, License Number 198-000608
2001-present Advanced Practice Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, State of Illinois, License Number 209-001907
1988-present Certification in Nurse Midwifery, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Number 5281
1980-present Registered Professional Nurse, State of Illinois, License Number 041-197938