Nicole Arrato, MA

Nicole Arrato

Undergraduate School
Fordham University

 

Graduate School
The Ohio State University

 

Interests and Career Goals

My primary interests are in the area of psycho-oncology. I am interested in developing and disseminating interventions to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms for individuals with cancer. My ideal career would involve conducting research and clinical work in an academic medical center’s cancer hospital.

Favorite Pastimes

I am a rower and a dog lover! In my spare time I enjoy rowing, both leisurely and competitively. I also enjoy taking my dog to the park and helping out dogs who are looking for their forever homes.

Why I Chose Duke

I’ve had my eye on Duke’s program for many years! I was certainly drawn in by the cancer center and other clinical rotations, the top-notch research being conducted, and the opportunity to be trained by some of the best supervisors in the field.

Research Interests

I am passionate about testing cognitive behavioral therapy and its individual components as effective means to reduce depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. My dissertation research examines the efficacy of a biobehavioral/cognitive treatment to reduce these difficulties in individuals with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Publications

  • Andersen, B.L., Arrato, N.A., Conley, C.C., & Blevins, T.R. (in press). Psychological/behavioral interventions in cancer. In N. Schneiderman (Ed.), APA Handbook of Health Psychology. Washington, DC: APA Press.
  • Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Grogan, M.M., Presley, C.J., & Andersen, B.L. (2022). Tense and release: Improving standard of care with Progressive Muscle Relaxation for patients with advanced lung cancer. Journal of Cancer Rehabilitation, 5, 69-76. Doi: 10.48252/JCR65.
  • Presley, C.J., Arrato, N.A., Shields, P.G., Carbone, D.P., Wong, M.L., Benedict, J., Reisinger, S.A., Han, L., Gill, T.M., Allore, H., Andersen, B.L., & Janse, S. (2022). Functional trajectories and resilience among adults with advanced lung cancer. JTO Clinical and Research Reports. Doi: 10.1016/ j.tocrr.2022.100334.
  • Alimoradi, Z., Zarabadipour, S., Arrato, N.A., Griffiths, M.D., Andersen, B.L., & Bahrami, N. (2022). The relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age. BMC Psychology, 10 (131). Doi: 10.1186/s40359-022-00829-1.
  • Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Coker, C.A., Covarrubias, J.J., Blevins, T.R., Reisinger, S.A., Presley, C.J., Shields, P.G., & Andersen, B.L. (2022). Cancer treatment during COVID-19: Resilience of individuals with advanced non-small cell lung cancer versus community controls. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 20 (2), 118-125. Doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2021.7076.
  • Arrato, N.A., Valentine, T.R., Byrd, J.C., Jones, J.A., Maddocks, K.J., Woyach, J.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Illness representations and psychological outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. British Journal of Health Psychology, 27 (2), 553-570. Doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12562.
  • Dorfman, C.S., Arrato, N.A., Arthur, S.S., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Depressive and anxiety symptoms and disorders. In G.G. Kimmick, R.A. Shelby, & L.M. Sutton (Eds.), Common issues in breast cancer survivors: A practical guide to evaluation and management (185-197). New York, NY: Springer. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-75377-1.
  • Presley, C.J., Arrato, N.A., Janse, S., Shields, P.G., Carbone, D.P., Wong, M.L., Han, L., Gill, T.M., Allore, H., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Functional disability among older versus younger adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology Practice, 17 (6), e848-858. Doi: 10.1200/OP.20.01004.
  • Andersen, B.L., Arrato, N.A., & Dorfman, C.S. (2021). Cognitive and behavioral interventions. In W. Breitbart (Ed.), Psycho-Oncology. (4th ed., pp. 416-423). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Doi: 10.1093/med/9780190097653.001.0001.
  • Annunziato, R.A., Arrato, N.A., Rubes, M., & Arnon, R. (2015). The importance of mental health monitoring during transition to adult health care among pediatric liver transplant recipients. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 51 (2), 220-222. Doi: 10.1111/jpc.12765.
  • Annunziato, R.A., Baisley, M.C., Arrato, N.A., Barton, C., Henderling, F., Arnon, R., Kerkar, N. (2013). Strangers headed to a strange land? Utilization of a transition coordinator to improve transfer from pediatric to adult service. Journal of Pediatrics, 163 (6), 1628-1633. Doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.07.031.

Poster Presentations

  • Arrato, N.A., Blevins, T.R., Coker, C.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2022). A Biobehavioral/ Cognitive (ABC) treatment for stress, depression, and anxiety in patients with lung cancer: Preliminary results. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 43rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  • Wiedlund, N.K., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2022). Predicting depression and anxiety based on treatment type in advanced lung cancer patients. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 43rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  • Presley, C.J., Hoyd, R., Grogan, M., Compston, A., Hock, K., Knauss, B., Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Benedict, J., Janse, S.A., Williams, N., Wheeler, C.E., Carbone, D.P., Paskett, E.D., Andersen, B.L., & Spakowicz, D. (2022). Resiliency among Older Adults Receiving Lung Cancer Treatment: The feasibility of collecting longitudinal clinical assessments, biomarkers, and activity tracking embedded within a supportive care intervention. American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, IL.  Tang, J., Janse, S.A., Carbone, D.P., Shields, P.G., Wong, M.L., Arrato, N.A., Andersen, B.L., & Presley, C.J. (2022). Characteristics associated with functional resilience versus functional decline among adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, IL.
  • Arrato, N.A., Coker, C.A., Lo, S.B., Blevins, T.R., Covarrubias, J., Reisinger, S., Presley, C.J., Shields, P.G., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). The salience of a health threat: Comparing NSCLC patients and controls on perceptions of COVID-19. American Psychological Association Convention, virtual.
  • Grogan, M.M., Compston, A., Hock, K., Knauss, B., Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Benedict, J., Janse, S., Carbone, D.P., Paskett, E., Andersen, B.L., & Presley, C.J. (2021). The ROAR study, a virtual health physical therapy and progressive muscle relaxation intervention among older adults with lung cancer: Persistence amidst the pandemic. The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Annual Meeting, virtual.
  • Arrato, N.A., Brock, G.N., McElroy, J., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Stress and survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A joint modeling approach. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 42nd Annual Meeting, virtual.
  • Lo, S.B., Arrato, N.A., Blevins, T.R., Coker, A.C., Covarrubias, J.J., Presley, C.J., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Interoceptive exposure and biofeedback for breathlessness: Pilot data from a cognitive-behavioral treatment in lung cancer. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 42nd Annual Meeting, virtual.
  • Blevins, T.R., Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Presley, C.J., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Age and sex differences in functional status during treatment for advanced stage NSCLC. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 42nd Annual Meeting, virtual.
  • Arrato, N.A., Grogan, M.M., Benedict, J., Janse, S., Naughton, M.J., Andersen, B.L., Carbone, D.P., Paskett, E.D., Rosko, A., & Presley, C.J. (2021). The FITNESS study: An innovative approach to assessing disability in older adults with lung cancer. World Conference on Lung Cancer, Singapore/virtual.
  • Arrato, N.A., Brock, G.N., McElroy, J., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Joint modeling of stress and survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. World Conference on Lung Cancer, Singapore/virtual.
  • Lo, S.B., Arrato, N.A, Coker, C.A., Blevins, T.R., Covarrubias, J., Otto, M., Presley, C.J., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Take a Breath (TAB): A randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for dyspnea in patients with lung cancer. World Conference on Lung Cancer, Singapore/virtual.
  • Valentine, T.R., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2021). Illness perception profiles at lung cancer diagnosis and physical and psychological symptom trajectories during treatment. World Conference on Lung Cancer, Singapore/virtual.
  • Arrato, N.A., Coker, C.A., Lo, S.B., Blevins, T.R., Covarrubias, J., Reisinger, S., Presley, C.J., Shields, P.G., & Andersen, B.L. (2020). The salience of a health threat: Perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with non-small cell lung cancer vs. non-cancer controls. Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Scientific Meeting, Columbus, OH/virtual.
  • Arrato, N.A., Grogan, M.M., Benedict, J., Janse, S., Naughton, M.J., Andersen, B.L., Carbone, D.P., Paskett, E.D., Rosko, A., & Presley, C.J. (2020). Examining a new method for assessing disability in older adults with lung cancer. Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Scientific Meeting, Columbus, OH/virtual.
  • Arrato, N.A., Andersen, B.L., & Presley, C.J. (2020). Functional impairment in advanced lung cancer: Beyond older age and disease severity. American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Long Beach, CA. (Accepted to Presidential Poster Session; Conference canceled due to COVID-19.)
  • Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Presley, C.J., & Andersen, B.L. (2020). Improving psychological and physiological symptoms in lung cancer: The efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation. The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum, Columbus, OH.
  • Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Grogan, M.M., Presley, C.J., & Andersen, B.L. (2020). Using progressive muscle relaxation to improve biobehavioral outcomes in advanced lung cancer: A static group comparison design. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 41st Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. (Conference canceled due to COVID-19.)
  • Valentine, T.R., Lo, S.B., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2020). Illness perceptions: Currency of Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation in behavioral medicine. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 41st Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. (Symposium. Conference canceled due to COVID-19.)
  • Arrato, N.A., Lo, S.B., Grogan, M.M., Stec, N.J., Tenney, K.M., Eastep, C.L., Palmer, S.A., Andersen, B.L., & Presley, C.J. (2019). Improving biobehavioral outcomes in advanced lung cancer via progressive muscle relaxation. American Society of Clinical Oncology: Quality Care Symposium, San Diego, CA.
  • Arrato, N.A., Weiss, D.M., Lo, S.B., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). Illness perceptions and biobehavioral outcomes in patients receiving targeted therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 40th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
  • Arrato, N.A., Weiss, D.M., Lo, S.B., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). The role of illness perceptions in predicting biobehavioral outcomes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum, Columbus, OH.
  • Arrato, N.A., Weiss, D.M., Lo, S.B., Jones, J., Maddocks, K., Woyach, J., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). Using illness perceptions to predict physical and psychological outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Scientific Meeting, Columbus, OH.
  • Lo, S.B., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). The role of neuroticism in predicting concurrent health behaviors in patients with breast cancer. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 40th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
  • Lo, S.B., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). Predictive qualities of biobehavioral factors in patients with breast cancer. International Convention of Psychological Science, Paris, France.
  • Valentine, T.R., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). Positive and negative illness perception schemas in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 40th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
  • Valentine, T.R., Arrato, N.A., & Andersen, B.L. (2019). Illness perception schemas are associated with psychological functioning in individuals with cancer. International Convention of Psychological Science, Paris, France.
  • Vilensky, M.R., Arrato, N.A., & Madison, A. (2019). Fears and phobias: Exposure and response prevention. Upper Arlington Career Development Day, Columbus, OH.
  • Arrato, N.A., & Fehon, D. (2018). Symptom Profiles of Oncology Patients Seeking Palliative Care: A Comparison Between Different Diagnostic Groups. The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 39th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Arrato, N.A. (2016). The student-athlete experience: Team relationships, self-control, and discrimination. Connecticut Psychological Association’s 29th Annual Convention. Haddam, CT.
  • Arrato, N.A., Ginch, T., & Annunziato, R.A. (2014). The effects of intervention on weight loss for youth with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fordham University Research Symposium. Bronx, NY.
  • Annunziato, R.A., Arrato, N.A., Rubes, M., & Arnon, R. (2014). The importance of mental health monitoring during the transition to adulthood among pediatric liver transplant recipients. The Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. 
  • Arrato, N.A., & Annunziato, R.A. (2013). The key component to an improved transfer: The positive effects of a transition coordinator. Fordham University Undergraduate Research Symposium. Bronx, NY