Josefin Särnholm

Josefin Särnholm

Adjunkt
Telefon: +46852483258
Besöksadress: Nobels väg 9, 17165 Stockholm
Postadress: K8 Klinisk neurovetenskap, K8 Psykologi Enebrink, 171 77 Stockholm
Del av:

Om mig

  • CURRENT POSITION
    2023 – present Adjunct Associate Research Scientist, Department of
    Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University, New York, USA
    2021 – present Lecturer and faculty member Department of Clinical
    Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Research Group Enebrink, Karolinska
    Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
    DOCTORAL DEGREE
    2021 Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy for atrial fibrillation: A
    novel treatment paradigm; Karolinska Institutet
    COURSES AND DEGREES
    2015-2021 PhD program Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
    2015-2018 Research school in epidemiology/psychiatry KI/SLL
    2011 Licensed psychologist, National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm,
    Sweden
    2010 Master of Science in Psychology, Stockholm University

Forskningsbeskrivning

  • My research focuses on three main areas within cardiac psychology. Firstly, I
    have developed a cognitive behavioral therapy treatment protocol for cardiac
    anxiety following myocardial infarction (heart attack) and I am principal
    investigator (PI) for an ongoing RCT where we are also assessing changes in
    cardiovascular biomarkers and pain sensitivity. A larger RCT is planned for
    2024. Secondly, I am PI for a research project focusing on cardiac-induced
    posttraumatic stress disorder in patients following acute coronary syndrome.
    With support from the NIH, I am leading this study in collaboration with
    Columbia University to develop and test an early online intervention for
    these patients. The third research focus pertains to psychological factors
    following open heart surgery, I together with colleagues have developed a
    novel CBT intervention to reduce anxiety and depression and minimize
    cardiovascular risk factors in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
    These studies aims to explore key mechanisms and processes in cardiac
    psychology interventions. I strive to build an interdisciplinary knowledge
    base that addresses the treatment gap for psychological care in a wide range
    of cardiac diseases and acute medical conditions.

Undervisning

  • In hold a current position as clinical lecturer at the psychologist program,
    KI. I am currently the examinator and course director of “Clinical methods
    within psychology” (6 credits), psychologist program, KI, semester 8, I am
    also the course coordinator for “Internet psychology” (4, 5 credits),
    psychologist program, KI, semester 7 and course director of an Independent
    course, KI (7, 5 credits) an independent web-based course (7, 5 credits) for
    healthcare practitioners on psychological treatment within primary care.

Artiklar

Alla övriga publikationer

Forskningsbidrag

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025
    Purpose and aimsThe purpose is to evaluate an online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol with the aims to improve quality of life (QoL) and physical activity by reducing cardiac anxiety in patients following myocardial infarction (MI).BackgroundMI is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the population. Cardiac anxiety (i.e., fear of cardiac symptoms and avoidance behavior) is a barrier to comply with cardiac rehabilitation post MI and is associated with poor QoL and recurrent adverse cardiac events. Today, no evidence-based interventions directly target cardiac anxiety in MI patients.MethodsIn the present interdisciplinary research program, we will evaluate a CBT protocol targeting cardiac anxiety in post-MI patients, developed in two pilot studies. Two randomized controlled trials, RCT1 with an education only control group (2023-2024) and RCT2 with active control group (2025-2026), will be conducted to assess the clinical effectiveness of CBT. In addition to QoL and physical activity, the studies will be designed to investigate cardiac anxiety as treatment mechanism and assess health-economic outcomes.SignificanceIf CBT improves QoL and physical health among patients with a previous MI and cardiac anxiety, this will have significant impact on the structure of secondary prevention programs and public health effects. Online CBT can be made accessible within the near future and implemented in clinical practice to the benefit of a large target population.
  • Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation
    1 January 2022 - 31 December 2024

Anställningar

  • Adjunkt, Klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska Institutet, 2021-

Examina och utbildning

  • Medicine Doktorsexamen, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska Institutet, 2021

Handledning

Nyheter från KI

Kalenderhändelser från KI