Faculty Sketch

Sheila H. Ridner, BSN, MSHSA, MSN, PhD, ACNP, FAAN

Current Research Interests

Research interests include: symptom management, lymphedema in cancer survivors, psychological distress, expressive therapies, and physiological based volume measurement methods.

Grants

National Cancer Institute - R21; Bioelectrical Impedance for Self-Monitoring of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (Role: PI)		04/2011 - 03/2013
Goals: To develop a bioelectrical impedance self-measurement protocol for use by breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. To compare daily self-care activities between breast cancer survivors with lymphedema who are on protocol and breast cancer survivors without lymphedema who are not on protocol over a four month period of time. To compare health outcomes between breast cancer survivors with lymphedema who are on protocol and breast cancer survivors with lymphedema who are not on protocol over a four month period of time. To determine if weekly self-monitoring of self-care activities has a beneficial effect on self-care.
National Cancer Institute - R01; The Fibrosis-Lymphedema Continuum in Head and Neck Cancer (Role: PI)		07/2010 - 06/2014
Goals: To determine the prevalence and nature of late-effect (≥ 3 months post-treatment) fibrosis and/or lymphedema in HNC patients; to explore the relationships among the biological mechanisms of inflammatory response, genetic polymorphisms, treatment factors, and late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema in HNC patients; and to explore the relationships among late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema and psychosocial stressors (depression and social withdrawal) in HNC patients.
Oncology Nursing Society; Low-Level Laser Treatment and Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (Role: PI)		05/2009 - 05/2011
Goal: To examine the impact of Advance Practice Nurse (ANP) administered Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT), both as stand-alone and complementary treatment, on arm volume, symptoms, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Findings from pilot will be used to determine if LLLT has value in treatment of lymphedema and warrants subsequent evaluation in larger study.
Tactile Systems, FlexiTouch® Systems; Home-based Compression Therapy for Arm and Truncal Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors - A Pilot Study (Role: PI)		05/2009 - 05/2010
Goals: To conduct a post-market, pilot study of Flexitouch® System in breast cancer survivors with arm and truncal lymphedema to examine device effectiveness on both limb and truncal lymphedema volume reduction and symptoms. Part two - To compare, in breast cancer survivors with known arm lymphedema and no known truncal lymphedema, impact of truncal, chest, and arm pneumatic compression on both limb volume reduction and symptoms to arm pneumatic compression alone.
American Cancer Society; Effects of Expressive Writing In Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema (Role: PI)		01/2007 - 12/2009
Goal: To evaluate how expressing emotions in writing impacts breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

Representative Publications

Ridner, S. H. (2004). Psychological distress: Concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 45(5), 536-545. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02938.x

Ridner, S. H. (2005). Quality of life and a symptom cluster associated with breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. Supportive Care in Cancer, 13(11), 904-911. doi: 10.1007/s00520-005-0810-y PMID: 15812652

Murphy, B., Lewin, J., Ridner, S. H., & Trotti, A. (2006). Mechanisms of weight loss in patients with head and neck cancer who were treated with chemoradiation. American Society of Clinical Oncology, 340-344.

Ridner, S. H. (2006). Pretreatment lymphedema education and identified educational resources in breast cancer patients. Patient Education and Counseling, 61(1), 72-79. doi: 10.1016/j.pec. 2005.02.009 PMID: 16533679

Murphy, B., Gilbert, J., Cmelak, A., & Ridner, S. H. (2007). Symptom control issues and supportive care of patients with head and neck cancers. Clinical Advances in Hematology and Oncology, 5(10), 807-822. PMID: 17998898

Murphy, B. A., Gilbert, J., & Ridner, S. H. (2007). Systemic and global toxicities of head and neck treatment. Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy, 7, 1043-1053. doi: 10.1586/14737140.7. 7.1043 PMID: 17627463

Murphy, B. A., Ridner, S. H., Wells, N., & Dietrich, M. (2007). Quality of life research in head and neck cancer: A review of the current state of the science. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 62(3), 251-267. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2006.07.005 PMID: 17408963

Ridner, S. H., Montgomery, L., Hepworth, J., Stewart, B., & Armer, J. (2007). Comparison of upper limb volume measurement techniques and arm symptoms between healthy volunteers and individuals with known lymphedema. Lymphology, 40(1), 35-46. PMID: 17539463

Ridner, S. H. (2008). Comparison of arm volume measurement techniques in lymphedema. Phlebology Digest, 21: 23-25 (Invited Abstract).

Ridner, S. H., & Dietrich, M. (2008). Self-reported comorbid conditions and medication usage in breast cancer survivors with and without lymphedema. Oncology Nursing Forum, 35(1), 57-63. doi: 10.1188/08.ONF.57-63 PMID: 18192153

Ridner, S. H., McMahon, E., Dietrich, M., & Hoy, S. (2008). Home-based lymphedema treatment in patients with cancer-related lymphedema or noncancer-related lymphedema. Oncology Nursing Forum, 35(4), 671-680. doi: 10.1188/08.ONF.671-680 PMID: 18591171

Dilts, D., Ridner, S. H., Franco, A., & Murphy, B. (2009). Patients with cancer and e-mail: Implications for clinical communication. Supportive Care in Cancer, 17(8), 1049-1056. doi: 10.1007/s00520-008-0538-6 PMID: 19050941

Fu, M. R., & Ridner, S. H. (2009). Post-breast cancer lymphedema Part 1: Impact and diagnosis. American Journal of Nursing, 109(7), 48-54. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000357172.94131.58

Fu, M. R., & Ridner, S. H. (2009). Post-breast cancer lymphedema Part 2: Risk-reduction and management. American Journal of Nursing, 109(8), 34-41. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000358492.91678.78

Ridner, S. H. (2009). The psycho-social impact of lymphedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 7(2), 109-112. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2009.0004 PMID: 19534633

Ridner, S. H., Dietrich, M. S., Deng, J., Bonner, C. M., & Kidd, N. (2009). Bioelectrical impedance for detecting upper limb lymphedema in nonlaboratory settings. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 7(1), 11-15. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2008.1003 PMID: 19231915

Shih, T., Ying, X., Cormier, J., Giordano, S. H., Ridner, S. H., Buchholz, T. A., Perkins, G., & Elting, L. S. (2009). Incidence, treatment costs, and complications of lymphedema after breast cancer among women of working age: A two-year follow-up study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 27(12), 2007-20014. doi:10.1200/JCO.2008.18.3517 PMID: 19289624

Murphy, B. A., Dietrich, M. A., Wells, N. L., Dwyer, K., Ridner, S. H., & Silver, H. J. et al. (2010). Reliability and validity for the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey (VHNSS): A new tool to assess symptom burden in patients undergoing chemoradiation. Head and Neck, 32(1), 26-37. doi: 10.1002/hed.21143 PMID: 196226644.

Deng, J., Ridner, S. H., & Murphy, B. A. (2010). Lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum. 38(1), E1-E10. PMID: 21186146.

Ridner, S. H., Murphy, B. A., Deng, J., Kidd, N., Galford, E., Dietrich, M. (2010). Advanced pneumatic therapy in self-care of chronic lymphedema of the trunk. Lymphatic Research and Biology. 8(4), 209-215. PMID: 21190493.

Ridner, S. H., Dietrich, M. S., Kidd, N. (2011). Breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema self-care: Education, practices, symptoms, and quality of life. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19, 631-637. doi: 10.1007/s00520-010-0870-5. PMID: 20393753.

Ridner, S. H., Dietrich, M. S., Stewart, B. R., Armer, J. A. (2011). Body mass index and breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. Supportive Care in Cancer, 1-5. doi: 10.1007/s00520-011-1089-9. PMID: 21240649.

Montgomery, L., Ridner, S. H., Dietrich, M., Armer, J., Stewart B. J., (2011). Segmental blood flow and hemodynamic state of lymphedematous and non-lymphedematous arms. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 9(1), 31-42. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2010.0012. PMID:21417765.

Ridner, S. H., Bonner, C. M., Deng J., Sinclair, V. (2011 Epub). Voices from the Shadows: Living with lymphedema. Cancer Nursing.

Deng, J., Ridner, S. H., Dietrich, M. S., Wells, N., Wellston, K. A., Sinard, R. M., Cmelak, A. J., & Murphy, B. A. (In press). Prevalence of secondary lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

Fu, M., Armer, J., Hurless, V., Feldman, J., Ridner, S. H., Weis, J., Meringer, P., Tuppo, C., Meringer, J., Cormier, J. (In Press). Clinician's training and interests in LE research. Journal of Lymphoedema.

Cooperstein, E., Gilbert, J., Epstien, J. B., Deitrich, M. S., Bond, S., Ridner, S. H., Wells, N., Cmelak, A., Murphy, B. A. (In Press). Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey Version 2.0: Report of the development and initial testing of a subscale for assessment of oral health. Head and Neck.

Professional Affiliations

Lymphatic Research Foundation (board member) - 2005 through present

National Lymphedema Network Research Committee - 2003 through present

National Lymphedema Network Research Committee Chair - 2010

National Lymphedema Network Medical Advisory Committee - 2004 to present

Oncology Nursing Society Lymphedema Management SIG (Coordinator) - 2005 to present

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center - Pain and Symptom Management Research Team - 2000 to present

Vanderbilt University