Rheumatology and Immunology

Francis Joseph Keefe, PhD

Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Professor in Psychology andNeuroscience
Professor in Anesthesiology
Professor in Medicine
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
Campus mail 2200 W Main St, Suite 340, Durham, NC 27705
Phone (919) 416-3400
Email address keefe003@mc.duke.edu

The primary aim of our research over the past year has been to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatments for arthritis pain. We are conducting two treatment outcome studies supported by grants from the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases. The first project, conducted with osteoarthritis patients, seeks to determine whether aerobic exercise training can enhance the effects of a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention for managing pain and disability. The CBT intervention is innovative in that it systematically involves spouses in training in pain coping skills. The second project, tests the long-term effectiveness of a relapse prevention training intervention. This study will feature the use of newly developed daily study methods to analyze the long-term effects of pain coping skills training on daily pain.

In addition, in conjunction with Lara Schanberg of the Department of Medicine we are carrying out a study funded by the Arthritis Foundation that examines the effects of a pain coping skills training regimen for pediatric fibromyalgia patients.

Finally, we are currently gathering pilot data for two new research projects. One project seeks to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive behavior theapy and education intervention for managing pain in patients having breast cancer and prostate cancer. The second project examines the efficacy of patient controlled compression protocol in the management of pain during mammography.

Education and Training

  • Ph.D., Ohio University, 1975
  • M.S., Ohio State University, 1973
  • B.A., Bowdoin College, 1971

Grants

Publications

Ramos, K., S. L. Langer, M. Todd, J. M. Romano, N. Ghosh, F. J. Keefe, D. H. Baucom, K. L. Syrjala, and L. S. Porter. “Attachment style, partner communication, and physical well-being among couples coping with cancer.” In Personal Relationships, 27:526–49, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12330.

Full Text

Aaron, Rachel V., Patrick H. Finan, Stephen T. Wegener, Francis J. Keefe, and Mark A. Lumley. “Emotion regulation as a transdiagnostic factor underlying co-occurring chronic pain and problematic opioid use.” Am Psychol 75, no. 6 (September 2020): 796–810. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000678.

PMID
32915024
Full Text

Dharmasri, Chamara J., Ida Griesemer, Liubov Arbeeva, Lisa C. Campbell, Crystal W. Cené, Francis J. Keefe, Eugene Z. Oddone, Tamara J. Somers, and Kelli D. Allen. “Acceptability of telephone-based pain coping skills training among African Americans with osteoarthritis enrolled in a randomized controlled trial: a mixed methods analysis.” Bmc Musculoskelet Disord 21, no. 1 (August 14, 2020): 545. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03578-7.

PMID
32795282
Full Text

Gilam, Gadi, James J. Gross, Tor D. Wager, Francis J. Keefe, and Sean C. Mackey. “What Is the Relationship between Pain and Emotion? Bridging Constructs and Communities.” Neuron 107, no. 1 (July 8, 2020): 17–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2020.05.024.

PMID
32562660
Full Text

Platts-Mills, Timothy F., Samuel A. McLean, Morris Weinberger, Sally C. Stearns, Montika Bush, Brittni B. Teresi, Karen Hurka-Richardson, et al. “Brief educational video plus telecare to enhance recovery for older emergency department patients with acute musculoskeletal pain: study protocol for the BETTER randomized controlled trial.” Trials 21, no. 1 (July 6, 2020): 615. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04552-3.

PMID
32631400
Full Text

Dumenci, Levent, Kurt Kroenke, Francis J. Keefe, Dennis C. Ang, James Slover, Robert A. Perera, and Daniel L. Riddle. “Disentangling trait versus state characteristics of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the PHQ-8 Depression Scale.” Eur J Pain, June 15, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1619.

PMID
32538517
Full Text

Winger, Joseph G., Christine Nunez, Sarah A. Kelleher, Krista K. Ingle, Vicky Gandhi, Francis J. Keefe, and Tamara J. Somers. “Predictors of Intervention Session Completion in a Randomized Clinical Trial of a Behavioral Cancer Pain Intervention.” J Pain Symptom Manage 59, no. 6 (June 2020): 1268–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.01.020.

PMID
32045676
Full Text

Winger, Joseph G., Katherine Ramos, Karen E. Steinhauser, Tamara J. Somers, Laura S. Porter, Arif H. Kamal, William S. Breitbart, and Francis J. Keefe. “Enhancing meaning in the face of advanced cancer and pain: Qualitative evaluation of a meaning-centered psychosocial pain management intervention.” Palliat Support Care 18, no. 3 (June 2020): 263–70. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951520000115.

PMID
32115006
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Eccleston, Christopher, Fiona M. Blyth, Blake F. Dear, Emma A. Fisher, Francis J. Keefe, Mary E. Lynch, Tonya M. Palermo, M Carrington Reid, and Amanda C de C. Williams. “Managing patients with chronic pain during the COVID-19 outbreak: considerations for the rapid introduction of remotely supported (eHealth) pain management services.” Pain 161, no. 5 (May 2020): 889–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001885.

PMID
32251203
Full Text

Shelby, Rebecca A., Caroline S. Dorfman, Sarah S. Arthur, Hayden B. Bosworth, Leonor Corsino, Linda Sutton, Lynda Owen, et al. “Improving health engagement and lifestyle management for breast cancer survivors with diabetes.” Contemp Clin Trials 92 (May 2020): 105998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2020.105998.

PMID
32289471
Full Text

Pages