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Sian Cotton, PhD

Research Professor

Director, Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC and The Turner Farm Foundation Chair

Family & Community Medicine | College of Medicine

Education/Credentials
  • Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • PhD: California School of Professional Psychology
  • Bachelor of Arts: Smith College (Psychology and Music)
Contact Information
Research Interests

Integrative health and medicine, mindfulness and mind-body interventions, coping with chronic illness, practice-based integrative health research, teaching kitchens. 

Peer Reviewed Publications

Qin, Kun; Lei, Du; Yang, Jing; Li, Wenbin; Tallman, Maxwell J; Duran, Luis Rodrigo Patino; Blom, Thomas J; Bruns, Kaitlyn M; Cotton, Sian; Sweeney, John A; Gong, Qiyong; DelBello, Melissa P 2021. Network-level functional topological changes after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for bipolar disorder: a pilot study. BMC psychiatry, 21 1, 213

Cotton, Sian; Kraemer, Kristen M; Sears, Richard W; Strawn, Jeffrey R; Wasson, Rachel S; McCune, Nina; Welge, Jeffrey; Blom, Thomas J; Durling, Michelle; Delbello, Melissa P 2020. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders at-risk for bipolar disorder: A psychoeducation waitlist controlled pilot trial. Early intervention in psychiatry, 14 2, 211-219

Hente, Elizabeth; Sears, Richard; Cotton, Sian; Pallerla, Harini; Siracusa, Christopher; Filigno, Stephanie Spear; Boat, Thomas 2020. A Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Improve Well-Being for Health Professionals Providing Chronic Disease Care. The Journal of pediatrics, 224 , 87-93.e1

Luberto, Christina M; Hall, Daniel L; Park, Elyse R; Haramati, Aviad; Cotton, Sian 2020. A Perspective on the Similarities and Differences Between Mindfulness and Relaxation. Global advances in health and medicine, 9 , 2164956120905597

Novak, Brenna K; Gebhardt, Anna; Pallerla, Harini; McDonald, Susan Blocksom; Haramati, Aviad; Cotton, Sian 2020. Impact of a University-Wide Interdisciplinary Mind-Body Skills Program on Student Mental and Emotional Well-Being. Global advances in health and medicine, 9 , 2164956120973983

Wasson, Rachel S; Luberto, Christina M; Murthi, Meera; McDonald, Susan Blocksom; Pallerla, Harini; Novak, Brenna K; Cotton, Sian 2020. Feasibility and Acceptability of a Community-Based Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for the Under- and Unemployed. Global advances in health and medicine, 9 , 2164956120973636

Barnes, Mary Ann; Bennett, Jessica; Ross, Jennifer; Kraemer, Kristen; Cotton, Sian 2018. Single-Point Acupuncture for Treatment of Urge Incontinence in Women: A Pilot Nonrandomized Trial. Medical acupuncture, 30 1, 21-24

Haut, Sheryl R; Lipton, Richard B; Cornes, Susannah; Dwivedi, Alok K; Wasson, Rachel; Cotton, Sian; Strawn, Jeffrey R; Privitera, Michael 2018. Behavioral interventions as a treatment for epilepsy: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Neurology, 90 11, e963-e970

Haramati, Aviad; Cotton, Sian; Padmore, Jamie S; Wald, Hedy S; Weissinger, Peggy A 2017. Response to: The cost of caring. Medical teacher, 39 6, 671-672

Haramati, Aviad; Cotton, Sian; Padmore, Jamie S; Wald, Hedy S; Weissinger, Peggy A 2017. Strategies to promote resilience, empathy and well-being in the health professions: Insights from the 2015 CENTILE Conference. Medical teacher, 39 2, 118-119

Luberto, Christina M; Wasson, Rachel S; Kraemer, Kristen M; Sears, Richard W; Hueber, Carly; Cotton, Sian 2017. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness of a 4-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Protocol for Hospital Employees. Mindfulness, 8 6, 1522-1531

Tulisiak, Anne K; Klein, Jillian A; Harris, Emily; Luft, Marissa J; Schroeder, Heidi K; Mossman, Sarah A; Varney, Sara T; Keeshin, Brooks R; Cotton, Sian; Strawn, Jeffrey R 2017. Antidepressant Prescribing by Pediatricians: A Mixed-Methods Analysis. Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care, 47 1, 15-24

Kraemer, K. M., Luberto, C. M., O'Bryan, E. M., Mysinger, E., & Cotton, S 2016. Mind-body skills training to improve distress tolerance in medical students: A pilot study Teaching and Learning in Medicine, , 28 2, 219-228 DOI: 10.1080/10401334.2016.1146605

Luberto, C. M., Wasson, R.S., Kraemer, K.M., Sears, R.W., Hueber, C., Cotton, S 2016. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness of a 4-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Protocol for Hospital Employees Mindfulness, ,

Sacco, J., Baas, W., Barnes, M., Luberto, C. M., Talat, R., & Cotton, S 2016. The efficacy of percutaneous auricular neurostimulation for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A retrospective chart review , Medical Acupuncture June 2016, Vol. 28, No. 3: 131-136,

Bignall, Whitney Janee Raglin; Luberto, Christina Marie; Cornette, Adrianne Falkenberg; Haj-Hamed, Monzer; Cotton, Sian 2015. Breathing retraining for African-American adolescents with asthma: a pilot study of a school-based randomized controlled trial. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 52 9, 889-96

Cotton, Sian; Luberto, Christina M; Sears, Richard W; Strawn, Jeffrey R; Stahl, Lauren; Wasson, Rachel S; Blom, Thomas J; Delbello, Melissa P 2015. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for youth with anxiety disorders at risk for bipolar disorder: a pilot trial. Early intervention in psychiatry, ,

Hathaway, Elizabeth E; Luberto, Christina M; Bogenschutz, Lois H; Geiss, Sue; Wasson, Rachel S; Cotton, Sian 2015. Integrative Care Therapies and Physiological and Pain-related Outcomes in Hospitalized Infants. Global advances in health and medicine : improving healthcare outcomes worldwide, 4 4, 32-7

Strawn, Jeffrey R; Cotton, Sian; Luberto, Christina M; Patino, L Rodrigo; Stahl, Lauren A; Weber, Wade A; Eliassen, James C; Sears, Richard; DelBello, Melissa P 2015. Neural Function Before and After Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Anxious Adolescents at Risk for Developing Bipolar Disorder. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, ,

Cotton, Sian; Grossoehme, Daniel H; Bignall, Whitney R; Weekes-Kanu, Jerren C 2014. Should my provider pray with me? Perspectives of urban adolescents with asthma on addressing religious and spiritual issues in hypothetical clinical settings. Journal of religion and health, 53 2, 604-13

Cotton, Sian; Luberto, Christina M; Bogenschutz, Lois H; Pelley, Terri J; Dusek, Jeffrey 2014. Integrative care therapies and pain in hospitalized children and adolescents: a retrospective database review. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 20 2, 98-102

Peterman, Amy H; Reeve, Charlie L; Winford, Eboni C; Cotton, Sian; Salsman, John M; McQuellon, Richard; Tsevat, Joel; Campbell, Cassie 2014. Measuring meaning and peace with the FACIT-spiritual well-being scale: distinction without a difference? Psychological assessment, 26 1, 127-37

Grossoehme, Daniel H; Cotton, Sian; McPhail, Gary 2013. Use and sanctification of complementary and alternative medicine by parents of children with cystic fibrosis. Journal of health care chaplaincy, 19 1, 22-32

Grossoehme, Daniel H; Cotton, Sian; Ragsdale, Judy; Quittner, Alexandra L; McPhail, Gary; Seid, Michael 2013. "I honestly believe god keeps me healthy so i can take care of my child": parental use of faith related to treatment adherence. Journal of health care chaplaincy, 19 2, 66-78

Luberto, Christina M; White, Christopher; Sears, Richard W; Cotton, Sian 2013. Integrative medicine for treating depression: an update on the latest evidence. Current psychiatry reports, 15 9, 391

Cotton S, Grossoehme D, McGrady ME 2012. Religious coping and the use of prayer in children with sickle cell disease Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 58 2, 244-9

Grossoehme, Daniel H; Ragsdale, Judith R; Cotton, Sian; Meyers, Melenie A; Clancy, John P; Seid, Michael; Joseph, Patricia M 2012. Using spirituality after an adult CF diagnosis: cognitive reframing and adherence motivation. Journal of health care chaplaincy, 18 3-4, 110-20

Luberto, Christina M; Yi, Michael S; Tsevat, Joel; Leonard, Anthony C; Cotton, Sian 2012. Complementary and alternative medicine use and psychosocial outcomes among urban adolescents with asthma. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 49 4, 409-15

Szaflarski M, Kudel I, Cotton S, Leonard AC, Tsevat J, Ritchey PN 2012. Multidimensional Assessment of Spirituality/Religion in Patients with HIV: Conceptual Framework and Empirical Refinement Journal of Religion and Health, 51 4, 1239-1260

Cotton S, Luberto CM, Yi MS, Tsevat J 2011. Complementary and alternative medicine behaviors and beliefs in urban adolescents with asthma The Journal of Asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 48 5, 531-8

Kudel I, Cotton S, Szaflarski M, Holmes WC, Tsevat J 2011. Spirituality and religiosity in patients with HIV: a test and expansion of a model Annals of Behavioral Medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 41 1, 92-103

Weekes JC, Cotton S, McGrady ME 2011. Predictors of substance use among black urban adolescents with asthma: a longitudinal assessment Journal of the National Medical Association, 103 5, 392-8

Cotton S, McGrady ME, Rosenthal SL 2010. Measurement of religiosity/spirituality in adolescent health outcomes research: trends and recommendations Journal of Religion and Health, 49 4, 414-44

Cotton S, Roberts YH, Tsevat J, Britto MT, Succop P, McGrady ME, Yi MS 2010. Mind-body complementary alternative medicine use and quality of life in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 16 3, 501-6

Cotton S, Weekes JC, McGrady ME, Rosenthal SL, Yi MS, Pargament K, Succop P, Roberts YH, Tsevat J 2010. Spirituality and Religiosity in Urban Adolescents with Asthma Journal of Religion and Health, 51 1, 118-31

Grossoehme DH, Ragsdale J, Cotton S, Wooldridge JL, Grimes L, Seid M 2010. Parents' religious coping styles in the first year after their child's cystic fibrosis diagnosis Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 16 3-4, 109-22

Grossoehme DH, Ragsdale J, Wooldridge JL, Cotton S, Seid M 2010. We can handle this: parents' use of religion in the first year following their child's diagnosis with cystic fibrosis Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 16 3-4, 95-108

McGrady ME, Cotton S, Rosenthal SL, Roberts YH, Britto M, Yi MS 2010. Anxiety and asthma symptoms in urban adolescents with asthma: the mediating role of illness perceptions Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 17 4, 349-56

Trevino KM, Pargament KI, Cotton S, Leonard AC, Hahn J, Caprini-Faigin CA, Tsevat J 2010. Religious coping and physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings AIDS and Behavior, 14 2, 379-89

Cotton S, Grossoehme D, Rosenthal SL, McGrady ME, Roberts YH, Hines J, Yi MS, Tsevat J 2009. Religious/Spiritual coping in adolescents with sickle cell disease: a pilot study Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 31 5, 313-8

Cotton S, Kudel I, Roberts YH, Pallerla H, Tsevat J, Succop P, Yi MS 2009. Spiritual well-being and mental health outcomes in adolescents with or without inflammatory bowel disease The Journal of Adolescent Health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 44 5, 485-92

Tsevat J, Leonard AC, Szaflarski M, Sherman SN, Cotton S, Mrus JM, Feinberg J 2009. Change in quality of life after being diagnosed with HIV: a multicenter longitudinal study AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 23 11, 931-7

Yi MS, Britto MT, Sherman SN, Moyer MS, Cotton S, Kotagal UR, Canfield D, Putnam FW, Carlton-Ford S, Tsevat J 2009. Health values in adolescents with or without inflammatory bowel disease The Journal of Pediatrics, 154 4, 527-34

Wahl RA, Cotton S, Harrison-Monroe P 2008. Spirituality, adolescent suicide, and the juvenile justice system Southern Medical Journal, 101 7, 711-5

Cotton S, Berry D 2007. Religiosity, spirituality, and adolescent sexuality Adolescent Medicine: state of the art reviews, 18 3, 471-83, vi

Grossoehme DH, Cotton S, Leonard A 2007. Spiritual and religious experiences of adolescent psychiatric inpatients versus healthy peers The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling : JPCC, 61 3, 197-204

Cotton S, Puchalski CM, Sherman SN, Mrus JM, Peterman AH, Feinberg J, Pargament KI, Justice AC, Leonard AC, Tsevat J 2006. Spirituality and religion in patients with HIV/AIDS Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21 Suppl 5 , S5-13

Cotton S, Tsevat J, Szaflarski M, Kudel I, Sherman SN, Feinberg J, Leonard AC, Holmes WC 2006. Changes in religiousness and spirituality attributed to HIV/AIDS: are there sex and race differences? Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21 Suppl 5 , S14-20

Cotton S, Zebracki K, Rosenthal SL, Tsevat J, Drotar D 2006. Religion/spirituality and adolescent health outcomes: a review The Journal of Adolescent Health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 38 4, 472-80

Yi MS, Mrus JM, Wade TJ, Ho ML, Hornung RW, Cotton S, Peterman AH, Puchalski CM, Tsevat J 2006. Religion, spirituality, and depressive symptoms in patients with HIV/AIDS Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21 Suppl 5 , S21-7

Cotton S, Larkin E, Hoopes A, Cromer BA, Rosenthal SL 2005. The impact of adolescent spirituality on depressive symptoms and health risk behaviors The Journal of Adolescent Health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 36 6, 529

Cotton S, Mills L, Succop PA, Biro FM, Rosenthal SL 2004. Adolescent girls perceptions of the timing of their sexual initiation: "too young" or "just right"? The Journal of Adolescent Health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 34 5, 453-8

Cotton S, Connelly BL, Cohen SS, Siegel RM, Stanberry LR, Rosenthal SL 2002. Screening for neonatal herpes: physicians' descriptions of discussions with parents Herpes : the journal of the IHMF, 9 3, 60-3

Wimberly YH, Cotton S, Wanchick AM, Succop PA, Rosenthal SL 2002. Attitudes and experiences with levonorgestrel 100 microg/ethinyl estradiol 20 microg among women during a 3-month trial Contraception, 65 6, 403-6

Cotton S; Feinberg J; Justice A; Leonard A; Mrus J; Pargament K; Peterson A; Puchalski C; Sherman S; Tsevat J 01-01-2009. Erratum: Spirituality and religion in patients with HIV/AIDS Journal of General Internal Medicine 2, 24 8, 994

Kraemer, Kristen M; Luberto, Christina M; O'Bryan, Emily M; Mysinger, Erica; Cotton, Sian . Mind-Body Skills Training to Improve Distress Tolerance in Medical Students: A Pilot Study. Teaching and learning in medicine, 28 2, 219-28

Abstract Publications

Baas, W., Barnes, M. A., Sacco, J., Luberto, C. M., & Cotton, S 2014. Pilot study of the efficacy of pulse stimulation treatment (PSTIM™) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A retrospective chart review The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20 5, A92-A93


Cotton, S., Luberto, C. M., Bogenschutz, L. H., Pelley, T. J., & Dusek, J 2014. Integrative care therapies and pain in hospitalized children and adolescents: a retrospective database review The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20 2, 98-102


Cotton, S., Luberto, C. M., Sears, R. W., Strawn, J. R., Stahl, L., Wasson, R. S., & Delbello, M. P 2014. Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for youth with anxiety disorders at risk for bipolar disorder: a pilot trial Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20 , A86-A87


Hathaway, E., Luberto, C. M., Bogenschutz, L., & Cotton, S 2014. Association between integrative care therapies and physiological and therapist-reported pain and presentation outcomes among hospitalized neonates The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20 5, A18-A19


Luberto CM, Cotton S, Yi M, Tsevat J 2012. Complementary and alternative medicine use and health outcomes among urban adolescents with asthma BMC Complementary and Alternative , 12 ,


Luberto CM, Cotton S, McLeish AC 2012. Relaxation-induced anxiety: predictors and subjective explanations among young adults BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12 ,


Luberto CM, Cotton S, McLeish AC 2012. Mindfulness and emotion regulation: The mediating role of coping self-efficacy BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12 ,


Luberto CM, White C, Sears RW, Cotton S. Integrative medicine for treating depression: an update on the latest evidence. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2013; 15:391. Dol: 10.1007/s11920-013-0391-2. In Press. . , ,