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University of Colorado College of Nursing

College of Nursing
 

Faculty Profile

Ellyn Matthews, RN, PhD, AOCN, CRNI

Associate Professor

Ellyn.Matthews@ucdenver.edu

Dr. Matthews is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing. An advanced oncology certified nurse, her primary research focus is on understanding symptom physiology and improving symptom management in cancer patients. Specific areas of interest include interventions for sleep disturbance and psychosocial distress, among other symptoms, in a variety of cancer populations. In a recent randomized controlled trial, Dr. Matthews compared the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) and behavioral placebo therapy in breast cancer survivors suffering from insomnia following completion of primary cancer treatment (1K23 NR010507-01). In an extension of this research, she addressed the issues of adherence to CBTI in an American Nurses Foundation award (#2010-049) titled, “Motivational Enhancement to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Women after Breast Cancer Treatment.” She has published articles and book chapters on sleep disturbances in cancer survivors and critically ill hospitalized patients, obstructive sleep apnea, symptom clusters, and adherence to behavioral therapy.

Dr. Matthews has explored sleep disturbances in other cancer populations. As the co-PI in a Colorado Center for Translational Research and Clinical Translational Research Center funded study, she extended her research to include sleep patterns and stress indicators (e.g., salivary cortisol) of mothers and children with acute lymphocytic leukemia compared with matched controls. Dr. Matthews is the primary sponsor of a College of Nursing PhD student through a NIH/NINR National Research Service Award (NRSA). This NRSA research study will test internet-based therapy to improve sleep in rural breast cancer survivors, (PI, M. McCarthy; 1F31NR012097).

Dr. Matthews utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods in her research.

 

Degree Awarding Institution Field of Study Graduation Date
Ph.D. Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyNewark, New Jersey, Nursing 2000
M.S.N. Catholic University
Washington, D.C., 		Medical-Surgical Nursing 1979
B.S. Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.
College of Nursing		 Nursing 1976
Title Organization Year
Dean's Teaching Award University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing 2006
2002 Excellence in Cancer Patient Education Award National Cancer Institute, Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN) 2002
  1. Matthews, E. & Berger, A.M. (in press). Sleep Disturbances. In C.H.Yarbro, D. Wujcik, & B.Gobel (Eds.), Cancer Symptom Management (4th edition). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
  2. Matthews, E.E., Schmiege, S.J., Cook, P.F., Berger, A.M., Aloia, M.S. (2012). Adherence to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) among women following primary breast cancer treatment: A pilot study, Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 10 (3), 1-13. DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2012.666220.
  3. Mccargue, D., Sankaranarayanan, J., Visovsky, C. G., Matthews, E. E., Highland, K. B., & Berger, A.(2012). Predictors of adherence to a behavioral therapy sleep intervention. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20 (2):245-52.
  4. Matthews, E. E., Schmiege, S. J., Cook, P., Sousa, K. H. (2011). Breast cancer and symptom clusters during radiotherapy. Cancer Nursing, 35 (2), E1.
  5. Jankowski , C & Matthews, E.E., (2011). Exercise guidelines for adults with cancer: a vital role in survivorship, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 15 (6), 683-686.
  6. Matthews, E.E., (2011). Sleep disturbances and fatigue in critically ill patients. AACN Advance Care Journal, 22 (3), 201-224.
  7. Cook, P.F., Sousa, K., Matthews, E.E., Meek, P., Kwong, J. (2011). Patterns of symptom clusters with HIV disease progression. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management,42 (1), 12-23.
  8. Matthews, E.E., and Aloia, M.S. (2011), Cognitive recovery following positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment in sleep apnea. Progress in Brain Research, 190, 71-88.
  9. Matthews, E., Cook, P., Terada, M., & Aloia, M. (2010). Randomizing research participants: Promoting balance and concealment in small samples. Research in Nursing and Health, 33, 243-253.
  10. Matthews, E., & Aloia, M. (2009).Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment and Adherence in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 4 (4).
  11. Matthews, E., & Cook, P. (2009). Relationships Among Optimism, Well-Being, Self-Transcendence, Coping, and Social Support In Women During Treatment for Breast Cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 18,716-726.  DOI: 10.1002/pon.1461
  12. Matthews, E., Armstrong, G., & Spencer, T. (2008). Pertussis infection in a baccalaureate nursing program: Clinical implications, emerging issues, and recommendations. The Journal Of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39 (9), 419-426.
  13. Matthews, E. (2007). Family Caregiving. In M. Langhorne, J. Fulton, & S. Otto (Eds.), OncologyNursing (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
  14. Matthews, E. (2007). Sleep-Wake Disturbances. In R. Fink & R. Gates (Eds.), Oncology Nursing Secrets.St. Louis :Elsevier
  15. Matthews, E. (2007). Oncological Disorders. In L. A. Silvestri (Ed.), Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (4th ed.) .St. Louis: Elsevier
  16. Matthews, E. (2007). Family caregiving. In M. Langhorne, J. Fulton, & S. Otto (Eds.), Oncology nursing (5th ed., pp. 620-647). St Louis: Mosby.
  17. Matthews, E., Snell, K., & Coates, H. (2006). Intra-arterial chemotherapy for limb preservation in patients with osteosarcoma: Nursing implications. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 10(5), 581-589.
  • Primary Sponsor, Internet-based Therapy to Improve Sleep in Rural Breast Cancer Survivors, NIH/NINR, (1F31NR012097) (9/23/10-9/22/14).
  • PI, Motivational Enhancement to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Women after Breast Cancer Treatment, American Nurses Foundation #2010-049 (9/1/10 - 8/31/12).
  • Co-PI with Madalynn Neu, Caregiver-Child Sleep Patterns And Distress During Maintenance Therapy For Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI).(2/2009-1/2010)
  • Co-PI with Madalynn Neu, Caregiver-Child Sleep Patterns And Distress During Maintenance Therapy For Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Clinical Translational Research Center (CTRC). (2/2009 - 1/2010)
  • PI, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia after Breast Cancer Treatment, NIH/NINR, (1K23 NR010507-01).(12/2007-5/2010)
  • P.I., Sleep Management to Reduce Sleep Disturbances during Melanoma Treatment: A Pilot Feasibility Study, funded by The UCD College of Nursing, (2005- 2006)
  • P.I., Optimism and Emotional Well-Being in Women with Breast Cancer: The Role of Mediators, Oncology Nursing Foundation Research Award (1998-2000)