LISA J TAYLOR-SWANSON portrait
  • Honors Co-Advisor, College Of Nursing
  • Assistant Professor, College Of Nursing
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Obstetrics And Gynecology
801-585-5486

Research Statement

My overarching career goal is to reduce the disproportionate symptom burden during peri- and post-menopause across socioeconomic strata by developing and implementing effective interventions feasible in public health settings and utilizing complexity-informed research methods. This program of research represents the translation of my clinical experiences and research training into the trialing of clinical interventions. Internally- and externally-valid clinical trials of acupuncture are needed, and few Licensed Acupuncturists have the requisite scientific training in this field. I will benefit from additional training and experience in the mechanistic study and optimization of acupuncture interventions to further my expertise. My short-term goals are to develop knowledge and skills in 1) intervention development and evaluation, 2) design and implementation of clinical trials, 3) analysis of complex datasets, and 4) leading interdisciplinary research. My long-term career goals as a Principal Investigator (PI) are to advance science on acupuncture's safety, efficacy, and effectiveness for symptom management. Building the evidence base on this non-pharmacological intervention may also inform future policy decisions. 

Research Keywords

  • Women's and Reproductive Health
  • Women's Health Issues
  • Women's Health
  • Traditional East Asian medicine
  • Traditional Chinese medicine
  • Symptom cluster
  • Symptom Science
  • Stress
  • Self-awareness
  • Resilience
  • Psychology of Women
  • Opioid-Related Disorders
  • Midlife
  • Menopause
  • Interoception
  • Integrative Health
  • Hot flash
  • Complexity Theory
  • Chaos Theory
  • Acupuncture

Presentations

  • Conboy, L, Pendavaris, & Taylor-Swanson, L. Utilizing TCM Cluster Theory to Analyze Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – A Connective Tissue Disease (poster). Society for Acupuncture Research, Burlington, VT, USA. Poster, Presented, 08/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Prasad, T, Jacobsen, E, & Conboy, L. Complexity in Licensed Acupuncturists’ Clinical Reasoning (poster & featured Lightning Round). Society for Acupuncture Research, Burlington, VT, USA. Poster, Presented, 08/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Stone, J, & Gale, M. Update on the Washington State Labor & Industries Policy (podium presentation). Society for Acupuncture Research, Burlington, VT, USA. Presentation, Presented, 08/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Prasad, T, Jacobsen, E, & Conboy, L. Complexity in Licensed Acupuncturists’ Clinical Reasoning (poster). International Conference on Complementary Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia. Poster, Presented, 05/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Arseneau, M, Karimanfard, R, & Simonsen, S. Midlife Women and Fatal Opioid Overdose (poster), Sex and Gender in Women’s Health Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Poster, Presented, 05/01/2019.
  • Arseneau, M, Karimanfard, R, & Taylor-Swanson, L. Social Media Discussions of #Menopause (poster), Sex and Gender in Women’s Health Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Poster, Presented, 05/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, White, S, Budhathoki, A, & Garland, E. Combined Mindfulness and Acupuncture in the Context of Chronic Pain: Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study Protocol (poster). International Conference on Complementary Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia. Poster, Presented, 05/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Prasad, T, Jacobsen, E, & Conboy, L. Complexity in Licensed Acupuncturists’ Clinical Reasoning (podium presentation). International Conference on Complementary Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia. Presentation, Presented, 05/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. White, S., Budhathoki, A. & Garland, E. Enhancing Interoceptive Awareness: Mindfulness and Acupuncture as a Combined Intervention for Chronic Pain (podium presentation). International Conference on Complementary Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia. Presentation, Presented, 05/01/2019.
  • Arseneau, M, Karimanfard, R, & Taylor-Swanson, L. Social Media Discussions of #Menopause. Undergraduate Research Experience Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Poster, Presented, 01/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L., Stone, J. Acupuncture for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (poster), Society for Acupuncture Research, San Francisco, CA, USA. April 27-29, 2017. Poster, Presented, 04/27/2017.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Whole Systems of Traditional East Asian Medicine: A Multiple Case Study (poster), Society for Acupuncture Research, San Francisco, CA, USA. April 27-29, 2017. Poster, Presented, 04/27/2017.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. From Measurement to Model: Self-Awareness and Hot Flash Severity (symposium), Western Institute of Nursing, Denver, CO, USA. April 19-22, 2017. Presentation, Presented, 04/19/2017.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Dynamics of Stress and Fatigue During the Menopausal transition, Early Postmenopause (symposium), Western Institute of Nursing, Denver, CO, USA. April 19-22, 2017. Presentation, Presented, 04/19/2017.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Assessing the Self-Consciousness Scale in a Sample of Midlife Women (podium presentation), Western Institute of Nursing, Disneyland, CA, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Emerging Methodological Approaches for Integrative Nursing Science and Research (symposium presentation), Western Institute of Nursing, Disneyland, CA, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Testing of a Model of Self-Awareness on Hot Flash Severity (podium presentation) Western Institute of Nursing, Disneyland, CA, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
  • Wong, A, Taylor-Swanson, L, Koithan, M, Pincus, D, Butner, J, Woods, NF & Conboy, L. Attractor dynamics during the menopausal transition and early post-menopause (podium presentation with Wong & Taylor-Swanson co-presenting), Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences, Gainesville, FL, USA. Presentation, Presented, 07/2015.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Pincus, D, Koithan, M, Conboy, L, Woods, N., Butner, J. & Wong, A. Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. On-site discussion and analyses of data. Group presentation at close of conference, Datapalooza, Orange, CA, USA. Presentation, Presented, 07/2015.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Meins, A, Lin, SY, Price, C, Chow, C, Buckland, H, Bjornsen, K. PhD in Nursing Science for non-RNs: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Directions (podium presentation), Western Institute of Nursing, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2015.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Park, S, Lin, SY, Squires, S, Hien, HD, Lin, YT & Voss, J. Addressing gaps in a nursing research doctoral education program (podium presentation), Western Institute of Nursing, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2015.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Self-awareness and Traditional East Asian Medicine. (Podium presentation) IN-CAM, Calgary, AB, Canada. Presentation, Presented, 11/2014.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Woods, N, Mitchell, E, Cray L, Ismail R, Thomas A. Symptom clusters and CAM therapeutics. (poster). International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health, IRCIMH Miami, FL, USA. Poster, Presented, 05/2014.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L, Koithan, M, Conboy, L & Bell, I. Complex Adaptive Systems as Applied to Complementary & Integrative Medicine (symposium organizer & presenter). International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health , IRCIMH, Miami, FL, USA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2014.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L & Woods, NF. Traditional East Asian Medicine Approaches to Identifying Symptom Clusters. (poster). Western Institutes of Nursing. Seattle, WA, USA. Poster, Presented, 04/2014.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L (poster). Systematic Review of Acupuncture for Geriatric Concerns. Western Institutes of Nursing. Seattle, WA, USA. Poster, Presented, 04/2014.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. (poster). Systematic Review of Acupuncture for Geriatric Concerns. Elder Friendly Futures Conference, Seattle, WA, USA. Poster, Presented, 09/2013.
  • Taylor-Swanson L. Traditional East Asian Medicine and the menopausal tradition. Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Washington DC, USA. Poster, Presented, 09/2013.
  • Woods N, Mitchell E, Cray L, Taylor-Swanson L, Ismail R, Thomas A. Symptom clusters during the menopausal transition and postmenopause: From identification to therapeutics (symposium). Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Washington DC, USA. Presentation, Presented, 09/2013.
  • Taylor-Swanson L, Applications of Complex Adaptive Systems in Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research (symposium presentation and organizer). Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences, SCTPLS, Portland, OR, USA. Presentation, Presented, 07/2013.
  • Woods N, Mitchell E, Cray L, Taylor-Swanson L, Ismail R, Thomas A. Symptom clusters and therapeutics (symposium). Western Institutes of Nursing, Anaheim, CA, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2013.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Developing sense of self in the context of chronic illness (podium presentation). Western Institutes of Nursing, Anaheim, CA, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2013.
  • Neumann M & Taylor-Swanson L. Thermometer of warmth in the patient-provider relationship (WARMOMETER) – A short and easy to understand measure for use in integrative medicine (poster). International Congress on Integrative Medicine & Health, IRCIMH, Portland, OR, USA. Poster, Presented, 05/2012.
  • Neumann M & Taylor-Swanson L. Nursing applications for the WARMOMETER – A measurement of provider warmth (poster). Western Institutes of Nursing, Portland, OR, USA. Poster, Presented, 04/2012.
  • Woods N, Mitchell E, Cray L, Taylor-Swanson L, Ismail R, Thomas A. Symptom clusters during the menopausal transition and postmenopause: From identification to therapeutics (symposium). Western Institutes of Nursing, Portland, OR, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2012.
  • Taylor-Swanson L Menopausal symptoms treated by Traditional East Asian Medicine – Two case studies (podium presentation). Western Institutes of Nursing, Portland, OR, USA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2012.
  • Cassidy C, Taylor-Swanson L, Conboy L & Flesch H. The uses of qualitative research in advancing the acupuncture profession. Panel presentation. The American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, AAAOM, Bethesda, MD, USA. Panel, Presented, 04/2011.
  • Taylor-Swanson L. Case Study of Adolescent Primary Dysmenorrhea Treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Poster, IN-CAM, Vancouver, Canada. Poster, Presented, 11/2010.
  • Taylor-Swanson L. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a Dynamic System of Medicine. Podium presentation. IN-CAM, Vancouver, Canada. Presentation, Presented, 11/2010.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. Development of self in the context of chronic illness. Podium presentation. International Conference on Complementary Medical Research. Tromsø, Norway. Presentation, Presented, 11/2010.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. A dynamic systems view and frame analysis of clinical reasoning in a traditional Chinese medicine clinic within the context of the patient-practitioner relationship. Podium presentation, North American Research Conference on Complementary & Integrative Medicine: Collaboration to Promote Scientific Discovery & Health, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation, Presented, 05/2009.
  • Taylor, L. A Narrative Study of the Transition from Physical to Pretend Play. Poster, Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Washington DC. Poster, Presented, 03/1996.
  • Taylor, L. A Frame Analysis of the Transition from Physical to Pretend Play. Poster, Rocky Mountain Psychological Association (RMPA), Park City, UT. Poster, Presented, 01/1996.

Research Groups

  • COMET in Acupuncture for Menopause: Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials , Research Professor. 01/01/2023 - present.
  • ACUAWARE: Acupuncture and Interoceptive Awareness, Research Professor. 01/01/2023 - present.
  • Guatemala: Provision of Acupuncture and Acupressure Training for Lay Midwives, Research Professor. 01/01/2022 - present.
  • ADAPT – Advancing interventions for Dysautonomia with Acupuncture and Physical Therapy , Research Professor. 01/01/2022 - present.
  • MENOGAP Community Advisory Board, Research Professor. 09/01/2021 - present.
  • MENOGAP, Research Professor. 01/01/2021 - present.
  • Women's Health RITe, Other. College of Nursing. 01/01/2018 - 02/28/2023. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Co-Chair with Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead.
  • WHRAG: Women's Health & Research Affinity Group, Research Professor. College of Nursing. 07/01/2017 - present.
  • TIER RITe: Technology, Innovation and Ethics in Reproductive Care, Research Professor. College of Nursing. 07/01/2017 - present.

Research/Scholarship Projects

  • Acupuncture Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Women with Breast Cancer: Mechanisms of Action and Feasibility. PI: Lisa Taylor-Swanson, PhD, MAcOM. Co-PI(s): Annie Budhathoki, DAOM, LAc & Kelsey Barrell, MD. 08/01/2017 - present.

Languages

  • English, fluent.

Geographical Regions of Interest

  • Guatemala
    I have collaborated with Refuge International to provide direct patient acupuncture therapy and to design and deliver an acupressure education intervention for lay midwives (Comadronas).
  • Puerto Rico
    I collaborate with Pro Familias, Universidad de Sagrado Corazon, and University of Puerto Rico Cancer Center (UPRCC). We are adapting MENOGAP for Puerto Rican women (Pro Familias) and for breast cancer survivors (UPRCC). This is a collaboration with Drs. Deanna Kepka and Ivette Lopez at Utah.

Publications

  • Taylor-Swanson LJ, Tu W, Howell CS, Dillard MP, Bell L & Nelson AT (2023). Delivering Acupuncture Therapy in an Interdisciplinary Global Health Setting in Guatemala: Pilot Study and Lessons Learned. Medical acupuncture. Vol. 35, 163169163-169. Published, 08/01/2023.
  • Taylor-Swanson LJ (2022). Call for Special Issue Papers: Women in Acupuncture: Deadline for Manuscript Submission: January 28, 2022. Medical acupuncture. Vol. 33, 369370369-370. Published, 12/01/2022.
  • Taylor-Swanson LJ (2022). Call for Special Issue Papers: Women in Acupuncture: Deadline for Manuscript Submission: January 28, 2022. Medical acupuncture. Vol. 33, 369370369-370. Published, 12/01/2022.
  • Bromley FA (2022). Room for all: Inclusive diversity, equity, and access in acupuncture practice, education, and research. Explore (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 18, 627629627-629. Published, 11/01/2022.
  • Bromley FA (2022). Room for all: Inclusive diversity, equity, and access in acupuncture practice, education, and research. Explore (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 18, 627629627-629. Published, 11/01/2022.
  • Bromley FA (2022). Room for all: Inclusive diversity, equity, and access in acupuncture practice, education, and research. Explore (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 18, 627629627-629. Published, 11/01/2022.
  • Citkovitz C, Taylor-Swanson LJ, Davis R, Harris RE, Kligler B, Kong JT & Lao L (2022). Turning Point: A Review of Key Research and Engagement in 2021. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 27, 101810221018-1022. Published, 02/01/2022.
  • Citkovitz C, Taylor-Swanson LJ, Davis R, Harris RE, Kligler B, Kong JT & Lao L (2022). Turning Point: A Review of Key Research and Engagement in 2021. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 27, 101810221018-1022. Published, 02/01/2022.
  • Rizk AH, Simonsen SE, Roberts L, Taylor-Swanson L, Lemoine JB & Smid M (2020). Maternity Care for Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder: A Review. Journal of midwifery & women's health. Vol. 64, 532-544. Published, 09/01/2020.
  • Taylor-Swanson LJ, Pike K, Mitchell ES, Herting JR & Woods NF (2020). Self-awareness and the evaluation of hot flash severity: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 26, 476-484. Published, 05/01/2020.
  • Taylor-Swanson LJ & Pike K (2020). Self-awareness and the evaluation of hot flash severity: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 26, 476484476-484. Published, 05/01/2020.
  • Taylor-Swanson L, Prasad T & Conboy L (2020). Complex Adaptive Systems Theory and Inter-Rater Reliability: Proposed Answers to Challenging Questions. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 25, 1074-1076. Published, 02/01/2020.
  • Taylor-Swanson L, Chang J, Schnyer R, Hsu KY, Schmitt BA & Conboy LA (2020). Matrix Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Differential Diagnoses in Gulf War Illness. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 25, 1097-1102. Published, 02/01/2020.
  • Taylor-Swanson L, Wong AE, Pincus D, Butner JE, Hahn-Holbrook J, Koithan M, Wann K & Woods NF (2019). The dynamics of stress and fatigue across menopause: attractors, coupling, and resilience. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 25, 380-390. Published, 06/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. & Budhathoki, A., White, S., & Garland, E. (2019). Combined mindfulness and acupuncture in the context of chronic pain: Pilot feasibility and acceptability study protocol. Advances in Integrative Medicine. Vol. 6, s83. Published, 01/01/2019.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. & Conboy, L, & Prasad, T. (2019). Complexity in Licensed Acupuncturists’ Clinical Reasoning. Advances in Integrative Medicine. Vol. 6, s112. Published, 01/01/2019.
  • Cheryl Lans & Lisa Taylor-Swanson & Rachel Westfall (2018). Herbal fertility treatments used in North America from colonial times to 1900, and their potential for improving the success rate of assisted reproductive technology. Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online. Vol. 5, 60-81. Published, 04/01/2018.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC60472...
  • Taylor-Swanson, Lisa & Pincus, D., Wong, A., Pincus, D., Butner, J., Hahn-Holbrook, J., Koithan, M., Wann, K., & Woods, N.F. (2018). The dynamics of stress and fatigue across menopause: Attractors, coupling, and resilience. Menopause. Vol. 25(4), 380-90. Published, 04/01/2018.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29189603
  • Taylor-Swanson, Lisa & Chang, J., Schnyer, R., Hsu, K.Y., Schmidt, B.A., & Conboy, L (2018). Matrix analysis of traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses of Gulf War Illness. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. Accepted, 02/15/2018.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29641242
  • Taylor-Swanson, Lisa & Stone, J.A., Gale, M., Gaitaud, A., Huson, C., MacPherson, F., Martens, J., Godwin, J., & Yule, M. (2018). Systematic review of acupuncture for low back pain: Efficacy and clinically-meaningful change. Meridians: JAOM. Vol. 5, 18-39. Published, 01/01/2018.
    http://www.meridiansjaom.com/files/MERIDIANSJAOM_A...
  • Taylor-Swanson, Lisa & Gale, M. (2018). Making the Case for Workers’ Compensation: Acupuncture for Low Back Pain. (pp. 16-17). Vol. 5. Meridians: JAOM. Published, 01/01/2018.
    http://www.meridiansjaom.com/files/MERIDIANSJAOM_A...
  • Ismail R, Taylor-Swanson L, Thomas A, Schnall JG, Cray L, Mitchell ES & Woods NF (2016). Effects of herbal preparations on symptom clusters during the menopausal transition. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. Vol. 18, 11-28. Published, 05/01/2016.
  • Taylor-Swanson L, Thomas A, Ismail R, Schnall JG, Cray L, Mitchell ES & Woods NF (2015). Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on symptom clusters during the menopausal transition. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. Vol. 18, 142-56. Published, 12/01/2015.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25017715
  • Thomas AJ, Ismail R, Taylor-Swanson L, Cray L, Schnall JG, Mitchell ES & Woods NF (2015). Effects of isoflavones and amino acid therapies for hot flashes and co-occurring symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: a systematic review. Maturitas. Vol. 78, 263-76. Published, 03/01/2015.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24951101
  • Woods NF, Mitchell ES, Schnall JG, Cray L, Ismail R, Taylor-Swanson L & Thomas A (2014). Effects of mind-body therapies on symptom clusters during the menopausal transition. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. Vol. 17, 10-22. Published, 08/01/2014.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23937432
  • Hullender Rubin LE, Opsahl MS, Taylor-Swanson L & Ackerman DL (2013). Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization: a retrospective chart review. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 19, 637-43. Published, 10/01/2013.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23363307
  • Woods NF & Taylor-Swanson L (2013). Depression and heavy bleeding during the menopausal transition: adjusting our gaze. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 19, 949-51. Published, 01/01/2013.
  • Taylor-Swanson, L. & Woods, N., & Mitchell, E. (2013). Traditional Chinese Medical Diagnoses as They Relate to Menopausal Symptom Clusters. Communicating Nursing Research. Vol. 5,  46229. Published, 01/01/2013.
  • Neumann, M. M. & Scheffer, C. C., Cysarz, D. D., Tauschel, D. D., Taylor-Swanson, L. J., & Edelhäuser, F. F. (2012). Thermometer of warmth in the patient-provider relationship (WARMOMETER) - a short and easy to understand measure for use in integrative medicine. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine. Vol. 12(1), 1. Published, 01/01/2012.
  • Neumann M, Scheffer C, Cysarz D, Bovelet M, Tauschel D, Taylor-Swanson L & Edelhaeuser F (2011). Thermometer of warmth in the patient-provider relationship (WARMOMETER)--theory-based development of a patient self-report measure and initial validation using cognitive interview methodology. Patient education and counseling. Vol. 82, 361-9. Published, 07/01/2011.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21315537