Pamela Martyn-Nemeth, PhD, RN, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN
Professor
Director, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Contact
Building & Room:
720 NURS
Address:
845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612
Office Phone:
Email:
About
My area of scholarship is focused on cardiovascular disease risk reduction and improvement of quality of life in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Persons with T1D experience 2 to 4 times the risk of CVD. Even near-normal glucose levels reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of CVD complications in persons with T1D. This suggests that additional factors are involved. I am examining the role of psychological (fear of hypoglycemia, stress) and behavioral factors (sleep) and their influence on self-management behavior, and glucose parameters. Both poor glycemic control and glycemic variability have been identified as pertinent CVD risk factors. My goal is to develop interventions that can be incorporated into education and practice to improve glycemic control and variability as well as quality of life. I have received NIH funding to conduct two clinical trials. In the first study, we evaluate the effect of a unique, remotely-delivered, technology-assisted behavioral intervention to improve sleep and glycemic control in adults with T1D. In the second study we test a cognitive behavioral therapy intervention (Fear Reduction Efficacy Evaluation [FREE]) specifically tailored to reduce fear of hypoglycemia.
I have also developed a community-based culturally focused exercise program (using dance) for Hispanic/Latino adults with diabetes. The dance program demonstrated improvement in time spent in physical activity, glycemic control, and psychological well-being among the participants. Because of these positive research findings, the program was translated into clinical practice and has been in existence for over a decade. Nursing students have been involved since its inception in an effort to promote cultural competence and knowledge in reducing cardiovascular health inequities.
Other research interests include:
-Self management of chronic conditions
-Eating behavior
-Stress and coping
-Promotion of cardiovascular health
Selected Grants
NIH/NIDDK, Sleep Optimization to Improve Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes, Primary Investigator
NIH/NIDDK, A Cognitive Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes, Principal Investigator
NIH/NCI, MyPHA: Automatically generating personalized accounts of inpatient hospitalizations, Co-Investigator
NIH/NIDDK P30 Subaward University of Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, A Sleep Intervention to Improve Glycemic Control and Reduce Diabetes Distress in Working Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. University of Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, Co-Principal Investigator
NIH/NIDDK P30 Subaward University of Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, Hypoglycemic Fear: Influence on Glucose Variability in Type 1 Diabetes, Primary Investigator
Selected Publications
Reutrakul, S., Irsheed, G. A., Park, M., Steffen, A. D., Burke, L., Pratuangtham, S., Baron K. G.,Duffecy, J., Perez, R., Quinn, L., Withington, M. H. C., Saleh, A. H., Loiacono, B., Mihailescu, Martyn-Nemeth, P. Greater sleep variability is associated with less time-in-range of glucose levels in patients with type 1 diabetes. Journal of Sleep Health. Epub 9/12/2023, SLEH859.
Martyn-Nemeth P, Duffecy J, Quinn L, Steffen A, Baron K, Chapagai S, Burke L, Reutrakul S. (2023). Sleep-Opt-In: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study to Improve Sleep and Glycemic Variability in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes. Science of Diabetes Self Management and Care. 2023 Feb;49(1):11-22. doi: 10.1177/26350106221136495.
*Martyn-Nemeth, P., Duffecy, J., Quinn, L., Reutrakul, S., Steffen, A., Burke, L., Withington, MC, Irsheed, GA, Perez, R., Park, M., Saleh, A., Mihailescu, D, & Baron, K. (2022). Sleep optimization to improve glycemic control in adults with type 1 diabetes: Study protocol for a randomized controlled parallel intervention trial, Trials, 23: 686. doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06565-6.
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Duffecy, J., Quinn, L., Park, C., Mihailescu, D., Penckofer, S. (2019), A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes (FREE): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial, Trials, 20, DOI: 10. 1186/s13063-019-3876-4.
Martyn-Nemeth, P.,Duffecy, J., Fritschi, C., & Quinn, L. (2019). Challenges imposed by hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes. Clinical Nursing Research. , 28, 947-967, (Epub May 6,2018). DOI: 10.1177/1054773818774702
Martyn-Nemeth, P.,Phillips, S., Mihailescu, D., Farabi, S., Park, C.G., Lipton, R.B., Idemudia, E., & Quinn, L. (2018). Poor sleep quality is associated with nocturnal glycemic variability and fear of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74, 2373-2380. DOI: 10.1111/jan.13765.
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Quinn, L., Penckofer, S., Chang, P., Hofer, V., & Burke, L., (2017). Fear of hypoglycemia: Influence on glycemic variability and self-management behavior in young adults with type 1 diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 31, 735-741. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2016.
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Farabi, Sarah, S., Mihailescu, D., Nemeth, J., & Quinn, L. (2016). Fear of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes: Impact of therapeutic advances and strategies for prevention – A review. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 30,167-177, DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2015.09.003.
Maahs, D.,Daniels, S., deFerranti, S., Dichek, H., Flynn, J., Goldstein, B., Kelly, A., Nadeau, K., Martyn-Nemeth, P., Osganian, S., Quinn, L., Shah, A., & Urbina, (2014). Cardiovascular disease risk factors in youth with diabetes: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Obesity in Youth Committee of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, Council for High Blood Pressure Research, and Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health.Circulation,130(17), 1532-58, DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000094
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Quinn, L., Hacker, E., Park, H., & Kujath, A. (2014). Diabetes distress may adversely affect the eating styles of women with type 1 diabetes. Acta Diabetologica, 51(4), 683-686, doi:10.1007/s00592-014-0575-1.
Publication Aggregators
Service to Community
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Camp Nurse, American Diabetes Association Diabetes Camp, Ingleside, IL
Professional Leadership
Editor (2021-present), Progress in Prevention Column, Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Advocacy Committee (2019-2023), Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association
Liaison to Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Council, Epidemiology and Prevention Science Committee, 2014-2016, American Heart Association
Councilor (Elected), 2011-2014, Council of Undergraduate Research
Notable Honors
2015, Fellow, American Heart Association
2020, Fellow, American Academy of Nursing
2021, Dean's Catalyst Award, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago
2023, Fellow Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Associaton, Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association
2016, First Place Poster Award, Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association
Education
PhD, Loyola University
MS, University of Michigan
BSN, St. Xavier University
Licensures and Certifications
Registered Professional Nurse, State of Illinois
Professional Memberships
American Nurses Association
American Heart Association
American Diabetes Association
Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association
Sigma Theta Tau International
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
American Academy of Nursing
Selected Presentations
Martyn-Nemeth, P. Greater Sleep Variability is Associated with Less Time-In-Range of Glucose Levels in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes, American Diabetes Association 83rd Scientific Sessions, San Diego, CA (Oral presentation), June 24, 2023.
Martyn-Nemeth, P. Stress and Sleep in Type 1 Diabetes: State of the Science and Novel Interventions. 19th Annual Chicago Biomedical Consortium Symposium- Stress and Human Health: Diabetes (oral presentation), Chicago, IL. November 17, 2022.
Martyn-Nemeth, P. Cognitive behavioral therapy intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia in young adults with type 1 diabetes- a randomized controlled trial. Oral presentation International Conference on Advanced Technology and Treatment of Diabetes, (oral presentation), Barcelona, Spain, April 29, 2022.
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Quinn, L., Chang, C. & Reutrakul, S. (Feb, 2019). Objectively Measured Sleep Variability is Associated with Glucose, Diabetes Distress and Fear of Hypoglycemia in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. International Conference on Advanced Technology and Treatment of Diabetes, Berlin, Germany.
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Duffecy, J., Quinn, L., Mihailescu, D., Park, C., Penckofer, S. (April, 2018). A CBT Intervention to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia and Improve Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes. 25thNational Evidence-Based Practice Conference, Coralville, Iowa.
Martyn-Nemeth, P. (2018, March). A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia. Research Day, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago.
Martyn-Nemeth, P., Duffecy, J., Quinn, L., Mihailescu, D., Park, C., Penckofer, S. (Feb., 2018). A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia and Improve Glycemic Control In Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study, Eleventh International Conference on Advanced Technology and Treatment of Diabetes Annual Sessions, Vienna, Austria.
Birlingmair, R., & Martyn-Nemeth, P. (2017, June). Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. American Diabetes Association’s 77thAnnual Scientific Sessions, San Diego, CA.
Jeong, Y.M., Martyn-Nemeth, P., Park, C., Park, H., Quinn, L.(2017, June). Differing Relationships between Daily Physical Activity Time and Glycemic Control by BMI. American Diabetes Association’s 77thAnnual Scientific Sessions, San Diego, CA.
Martyn-Nemeth, P. (2016, November). The Role of Glycemic Variability in Cardiovascular Disease in Type 1 Diabetes. American Heart Association, 2016 Scientific Sessions, New Orleans, LA.
Research Currently in Progress
Sleep Optimization to Improve Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) - The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a T1D-specific sleep optimization intervention (Sleep-Opt) on the primary outcome of glycemic control (A1C); other glycemic parameters (glycemic variability, time in range), diabetes distress, self-management behavior, and QoL in working-age adults with T1D and habitual increased sleep variability. To achieve these aims, we propose a randomized controlled trial in 120 adults aged 18 to 65 years with T1D.
A Cognitive Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes - I am currently conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a cognitive behavioral therapy intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Young adults are the focus of this research because this is a critical time in transitioning to independent diabetes care and establishing adult roles. Healthy behavior changes at this time can have a critical impact on future health. If successful, we hope to extend this program to other age groups and diabetes populations.
MyPHA: Automatically Generating Personalized Accounts of Inpatient Hospitalizations - Many times patients are overwhelmed by the information they receive at discharge from the hospital. In this study, I am working with a multidisciplinary team to develop an algorithm that can be used with an electronic health record to generate personalized summaries of hospital stays that can serve as guides for patients’ self-management. We are beginning with the heart failure population, but plan to expand to other populations in the future. This study is led by Drs. Barbara Di Eugenio and Andrew Boyd.