Research Statement

Dr. Allen completed a post-doc at Yale to enable her to study self and family self-management of chronic diseases in vulnerable populations. Her program of research is focused on diabetes as a chronic disease and interventions using technology and lifestyle changes. Her research encompasses two vulnerable populations: Hispanic population with Type 2 diabetes and individuals with diabetes and dementia.

Research Keywords

  • cognitive health
  • Technology
  • Self-efficacy Theory
  • Obesity/overweight
  • Lifestyle Behavior Changes
  • Ethnically Diverse Population Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Cognitive health and Dementia

Presentations

  • Tracy, E. L., Berg, C. A., Kelly, C. S., Litchman, M. L., Allen, N. A., & Helgeson, V.S. Spillover and crossover effects of daily stressors among couples with Type 1 Diabetes: Relationship satisfaction as a moderator. 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Poster, Presented, 03/2019.
  • Cognitive Screening and the Dementia Evaluation. The Utah Geriatrics Education Symposium Diabetes and Dementia: Screening Before Education. Annual Diabetes Educators of Utah Conference . Presentation, Presented, 12/2018.
  • Diabetes and Dementia: Screening Before Education. Annual Diabetes Educators of Utah Conference. Presentation, Presented, 11/2018.
  • Optimizing Digital health Tools for Diabetes Self-Management in a Hispanic Community. Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center Research Symposia. Presentation, Presented, 10/2018.
  • Litchman, M.L., Allen, N.A., Wawrzynski, S.E., Wilson, A., Gee, P.M., Gabel, H., & Berg, C.A. Does a Self-Directed Online Peer Support Intervention Improve Outcomes in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes? Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Precision Health. Poster, Presented, 09/2018.
  • Colicchio, V., Allen, N.A., Litchman, M.L., Yingling, L., Emador, El., Villalta, J. & Gibson, B. RT-GM Use in Low Income and Low Literacy Hispanics with T2DM: A Precision Health Tool. Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science. State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Precision Health. Poster, Presented, 09/2018.
  • Wawrzynski, S.E. Allen, NA, Litchman, M.L. Study Screening and Recruitment Strategies for a Type 1 Diabetes Social Media Intervention. Western Institute of Nursing’s 51st Annual Communicating Nursing Research Conference. Sigma Theta Tau International, Nu Nu Chapter Poster Session. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Yingling, L., Allen, N., Litchman, M., Deazevedo, V., Amador, E., Villalta, J., Gibson, B. Understanding Integration of Wearable Sensors for Diabetes Self-Management in Hispanic and Latino Communities (2018). Poster presented at the 13th Annual Utah Health Services Research Conference. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Yingling, L., Bednarchuk, A., Janamatti, A., Oakley-Girvan, I., Allen, N., Gibson, B. Effect of Web-based Interactive Simulation on Clinician’s Outcome Expectancies and Intentions to Provide Physical Activity Counseling to Adults with Type-2 Diabetes (2018). Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference Proceedings. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Feehan, M., Durante, R., Ranker, L.R., McAdam-Marx, C., Montuoro, J.L., Litchman, M.L., Allen, N.A. Qualitative Research into the Barriers for Effective Patient Self-Management of Comorbid Diabetes, Obesity and Asthma. Nashville TN. Poster, Presented, 03/2018.
  • Community Partners as Our Teachers in the Conduct of Research, Health Services Research Conference, Local Keynote Speaker. Presentation, Presented, 03/2018.
  • Oral Health in Older Adults. School of Dentistry, University of Utah. Presentation, Presented, 02/2018.
  • Foster, N., Allen, N., Garrett, K., Wang, A. Briley, M., Duff, K., Ying, J., He, Y., Holbrook, R. Transdisciplinary Cognitive Specialty Care Improves Patient-Centered and Health System Outcomes. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference Meeting. Poster, Presented, 07/2017.
  • Allen, N., Birkhead-Sanchez, A., Gibson, B., Litchman, M., Villalta, J. From Expert to Novice: Community Partners Perspectives and Strategies. Western Institute of Nursing . Poster, Presented, 04/2017.
  • Allen, N., Birkhead-Sanchez, A., Gibson, B., Litchman, M., Villalta, J. From Expert to Novice: Community Partners Perspectives and Strategies. Western Institute of Nursing . Poster, Presented, 04/2017.
  • Gibson, B. Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Amador, E., Allen, N. (11/2016). A Conjoint Survey to Select Potential Features of a Technology Based Self-Management Intervention for Hispanic Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. (AMIA). Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/2016.
  • Litchman, M., Allen, N. Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Facilitates Safety in Older Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Qualitative Analysis, MedX 2016 . Presentation, Presented, 10/12/2016.
  • Allen, N., Zagarins, S., Welch, G. A Practical Clinical Tool for the Assessment of Social Distress in Primary Care: Its Application Among Latino Type 2 diabetes Patients Attending Community Health Centers. Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science. Presentation, Presented, 10/12/2016.
  • Allen, N., Zagarins, S., Stamp, K., Feinberg, R., Welch, G. How to Develop a Theory Based Intervention, Western Institute of Nursing Research Conference. Poster, Presented, 04/2016.
  • Foster, N., Allen, N., Garrett, K., Wang, A.Y. Briley, M.S., Duff, K., Holbrook. Improved Patient-Centered Outcomes with Multidisciplinary Cognitive Specialty Care 11th Annual Health Services Research Conference. Poster, Presented, 03/2016.
  • Gibson, B. Amador, E. Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Allen, N. A Community Centered Approach to the Development of a Comparative Effectiveness Research Question. Oral Presentation, 11th Annual Health Services Research Conference. Presentation, Presented, 03/2016.
  • 2014 Chen, X., Allen,N., Wei, G, Giri, A., Boucher, R., Constanz, E., Greene, T, Beddhu, S. Interactions of Frality and CKD with Mortality. American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week; Philadelphia, PA. Poster, Presented, 11/05/2015.
  • Allen, N.A., Duff, K., Garrett, K.D., Foster, N. Cognitive Health and Diabetes Care. Oral Presentation at 9th Annual Research Retreat “Aspects of Frailty . Panel, Presented, 04/15/2015.
  • 2015 Lara, M. and Allen, N. Self-efficacy Study and Recruitment Efforts Undergraduate Research Day, Salt Lake City, Utah . Poster, Presented, 02/15/2015.
  • Mejia, J., Ossana, A., Allen, N. Self-Efficacy Scale For Diabetes Dietary Behavior: Development and Psychometric Evaluation. Undergraduate Research Conference. Poster, Presented, 02/15/2015.
  • Mosser, M.J. and Allen, N. Recruitment of Ethnically Diverse Populations in Diabetes Undergraduate Research Conference Salt Lake City, Utah . Poster, Submitted, 02/15/2015.
  • 2013 Zagarins, S., Pollard, N.E., Garb, J.L., Allen, N.A., Skinner, S.S., Copeland, P.M. Patterns of A1c change following weight loss surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Poster Presentation at American Diabetes Association’s 73nd Scientific Assembly Chicago IL. Poster, Presented, 06/22/2013.

Research Groups

  • Self-efficacy Scale for Diabetes Dietary Behavior, Research Professor. College of Nursing. 09/2013 - 09/2016. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: 4 UROP students.
  • Diabetes Self-Management Game App, Research Professor. Entertainment Arts and Engineering. 09/2013 - 09/2018.
  • PCORI- ProCare for patients with diabetes and memory problems , Research Professor. Neurocognitive Science. 08/2013 - 01/2016.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • Self-efficacy Scale for Diabetes Dietary Behavior: Development and Psychometric Evaluation. PI: Nancy A. Allen PhD, ANP-BC. Boston College, 05/01/2011 - 05/02/2014. Total project budget to date: $15,000.00
  • A Feasibility Study of Older Adults and Their Care Partners Using RT-CGM Share . PI: Michelle Litchman;. Co-PI(s): Nancy A. Allen. Center on Aging, 11/2018 - 11/2019. Total project budget to date: $20,000.00
  • Improving Clinical, Behavioral and Psychosocial Type 1 Diabetes Outcomes with an Online Peer Health Intervention. PI: Michelle Litchman. University of Utah Diabetes and Metabolism Center Pilot Grant, 05/01/2017 - 05/01/2018. Total project budget to date: $30,000.00
  • Mobile Phone Based Avatars to help Latino Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. PI: Bryan Smith. Co-PI(s): Nancy A. Allen. Sorenson Legacy Foundation, 05/2015 - 05/2016. Total project budget to date: $10,000.00
  • The Fakebetes Challenge: A High Fidelity Simulation For Nurse Practitioner Students. PI: Michelle Litchman. Co-PI(s): Nancy A. Allen. Academy of Health Science Educators Research and Scholarship Committee, 09/2016 - 09/2017. Total project budget to date: $2,910.00
  • Development of a Community Partnership for Patient Centered Outcomes Research in Type 2 Diabetes. PI: Bryan Smith Gibson. 02/2015 - present. Total project budget to date: $25,000.00
  • Qualitative Research into the Barriers for Effective Patient Self-Management of Comorbid Diabetes and Asthma . PI: Michael Feehan PhD. Co-PI(s): Nancy A. Allen. 05/2016 - 05/2017. Total project budget to date: $24,960.00
  • Development of a Community Partnership for Patient Centered Outcomes Research in Type 2 Diabetes. PI: Bryan Smith. Co-PI(s): Nancy A. Allen. PCORI Tier I, 03/2014 - 03/2015. Total project budget to date: $15,000.00
  • Diabetes Management for Surgical Patients: A Team Approach. PI: Dr. Jane Ashley. HRSA, 06/01/2012 - 06/01/2014. Total project budget to date: $440,835.00
  • A Feasibility Study of Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and their Care Partners using RT-CGM Share College of Nursing, Burton Grant. PI: Nancy A Allen. Co-PI(s): Michelle L Litchman. Burton Grant, 03/13/2020 - 03/13/2021. Total project budget to date: $20,000.00
  • Family Involvement and Sharing Information among Families with Multiple Members with Type 1 Diabetes . PI: Cynthia Berg. Co-PI(s): Michelle L Litchman. University of Utah Driving Out Diabetes Initiative, 12/01/2019 - 12/01/2020. Total project budget to date: $48,390.00
  • Interviews of Older Adults and Their Care Partners Using RT-CGM Share . PI: Nancy A Allen. Co-PI(s): Michelle L Litchman. One U Family Caregiving Initiative, 11/29/2019 - 11/29/2020. Total project budget to date: $1,980.00
  • Community Engagement in Utah to Reduce A1C in Type 1 Diabetes. PI: Nancy A Allen. Co-PI(s): Michelle L Litchman. Sorenson Legacy Foundation, 08/01/2019 - 08/01/2019. Total project budget to date: $82,797.00
  • Tier 3: Community Partnership for Patient Centered Outcomes Research in Hispanics with Type 2 Diabetes. PI: ALLEN,NANCY ANN. CO FDTN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND, 07/01/2016 - 06/30/2017. Total project budget to date: $49,998.00

Research Equipment and Testing Expertise

  • Actigraph Accelerometer. Contact: Nancy A. Allen PhD, ANP-BC , 801-585-3892 , 10 South 2000 East office 5340.
  • Continuous Glucose Monitoring. Contact: Nancy A. Allen , 801-585-3892 , 10 South 2000 East Office 5340.

Publications

  • Nancy Allen, Litchman, M.L., Chamberlain, J., Grigorian, E., Iacob, E. & Berg, C.A. (2022). Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Sharing in Older Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A feasibility study. JMIR. Published, 03/15/2022.
  • Allen, N.A., Bristol, A., Grigorian, E.G., Iacob, E., Berg, C.A. & Litchman, M.L. (2022). SHARE plus: Delivering a Telehealth CGM Data-Sharing Intervention to Older Adults and Their Care Partners. Diabetes Spectrum. Vol. 35, 16-25. Published, 02/15/2022.
  • Tracy EL, Berg CA, Kent de Grey RG, Allen NA, Litchman ML, Butner J & Helgeson VS (2021). The benefits of daily exercise on blood glucose levels and affect among adults with type 1 diabetes. Journal of behavioral medicine. Vol. 43, 1056-1061. Published, 01/01/2021.
  • Tracy EL, Berg CA, Kent De Grey RG, Butner J, Litchman ML, Allen NA & Helgeson VS (2020). The Role of Self-regulation Failures and Self-care in the Link Between Daily Sleep Quality and Blood Glucose Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Vol. 54, 249-257. Published, 10/01/2020.
  • Litchman ML, Wawrzynski SE, Allen NA, Tracy EL, Kelly CS, Helgeson VS & Berg CA (2020). Yours, Mine, and Ours: A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Type 1 Diabetes Management in Older Adult Married Couples. Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association. Vol. 32, 239-248. Published, 02/01/2020.
  • Allen N., Colicchio V., Litchman M., Gibson B., Villalta J. & Sanchez-Birkhead A. (2019). Hispanic Community-Engaged Research: Community Partners as Our Teachers to Improve Diabetes Self-Management. (pp. 125-132). Vol. 17. Hispanic Health Care International. Published, 09/01/2019.
  • Allen NA, Colicchio VD, Litchman ML, Gibson B, Villalta J & Sanchez-Birkhead AC (2019). Hispanic Community-Engaged Research: Community Partners as Our Teachers to Improve Diabetes Self-Management. Hispanic health care international : the official journal of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Vol. 17, 125-132. Published, 08/01/2019.
  • Litchman M., Wawrzynski S., Allen N., Tracy E., Kelly C., Helgeson V. & Berg C. (2019). Yours, mine, and ours: A qualitative analysis of the impact of type 1 diabetes management in older adult married couples. (pp. 239-248). Vol. 32. Diabetes Spectrum. Published, 01/01/2019.
  • Litchman M.L., Allen N.A., McAdam-Marx C. & Feehan M. (2019). Using projective exercises to identify patient perspectives of living with comorbid type 2 diabetes and asthma. Chronic Illness. Published, 01/01/2019.
  • Yingling L., Allen N., Litchman M., Colicchio V. & Gibson B. (2019). An evaluation of digital health tools for diabetes self-management in hispanic adults: Exploratory study. Vol. 21. Journal of Medical Internet Research. Published, 01/01/2019.
  • Allen, N.A., & Litchman, M.L, Hansen, A.L. (2017). Using Advanced Diabetes Technologies in Patients with Dementia in Assisted Living: Case Studies. Cogent Medicine. Vol. 1, 1-7. Published, 12/2017.
  • Olausson, J.M., & Clark, L., Morse, J.M., Hammer, M., Allen, N., Grant, M. (2017). Psychosocial Response to New-Onset Diabetes as a Long-Term Effect of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Qualitative Health Research. Vol. 27. Published, 07/20/2017.
  • Allen, N.A. & Zagarins, Sofija, E., Fienberg, R., Welch, G. (2017). Treating Psychologicial Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of Clinical and Translational Endocrinology. Vol. 7. Published, 03/01/2017.
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  • Gibson, B. & Yingling, Leah, Bednarchuk, A., Janamatti, A., Oakley-Girvan, I., Allen, N. (2017). An Interactive Simulation to Change Outcome Expectancies and Intentions in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Within-Subjects Experiment. JMIR. Vol. 3, 1-7. Published, 01/2017.
  • Allen, Nancy A., Machado, Monique A. & Stamp, Kelly D. (2014). Transitional Care Programs Improve Outcomes for Heart Failure Patients: An Integrative Review. (pp. 1). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). Published, 03/29/2014.
  • Pozzar, R., Stamp, K., Allen, N. (2013). Patient advocacy in a changing health care climate: using focus groups to inform innovative approaches to care. American Journal of Nursing,113(8), 66-71. Published, 08/01/2013.