Bio

Current Role at Stanford

Cancer Clinical Trials Recruitment Specialist, Stanford Cancer Institute
Instructor, Stanford Health Improvement Program

Honors & Awards

  • Employee Recognition Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business (1995)

Education & Certifications

  • Training, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Professional Training Program
  • Certificate, Health and Fitness Institute, Personal Training
  • Certificate, Stanford University, Stanford Healthy Lifestyles Program
  • B.A., Rowan University, Communications/Journalism
  • M.A., John F. Kennedy University, Clinical Holistic Health Education

Service, Volunteer and Community Work

  • Healing Touch Practitioner, Stanford Healing Partners Program, Stanford University (7/1/2005 - 7/1/2006)

    Location

    Stanford, CA

Personal Interests

Meditation, Transpersonal Psychology, Reiki, Healing Touch, Intuition, Outdoor Adventures, Running, Hiking, Writing, Voice Acting

Contact

Links

Professional

Professional Interests

Clinical Trials Recruitment, Disease Prevention Research and Education, Mind-Body Medicine, Energy Medicine, Meditation, Healing Touch, Reiki, Intuition, Self-Care Education, Writing Projects, Voice Over Projects

Professional Affiliations and Activities

  • Member, American Holistic Medical Association (2011 - Present)
  • Member, Institute of Noetic Sciences (2011 - Present)
  • Reviewer, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (ECAM), Oxford Journals (2006 - 2007)
  • Vice President/Board Member, Foundation for Mind-Being Research (2002 - 2003)
  • Advisory Board Member, Women's Entrepreneur Program, Mid-Peninsula YWCA (1999 - 2001)
  • President, One-Ders Toastmasters (1989 - 1990)

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Safety and efficacy of a ginkgo biloba-containing dietary supplement on cognitive function, quality of life, and platelet function in healthy, cognitively intact older adults JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION Carlson, J. J., Farquhar, J. W., Dinucci, E., Ausserer, L., Zehnder, J., Miller, D., Berra, K., Hagerty, L., Haskell, W. L. 2007; 107 (3): 422-432

    Abstract

    To determine if a ginkgo biloba-containing supplement improves cognitive function and quality of life, alters primary hemostasis, and is safe in healthy, cognitively intact older adults.Four-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel design.Ninety men and women (age range 65 to 84 years) were recruited to a university clinic. Eligibility included those without dementia or depression, not taking psychoactive medications or medications or supplements that alter hemostasis.Ninety subjects were randomly assigned to placebo or a ginkgo biloba-based supplement containing 160 mg ginkgo biloba, 68 mg gotu kola, and 180 mg decosahexaenoic acid per day for 4 months.Assessments included: six standardized cognitive function tests, the SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire, the Platelet Function Analyzer-100 (Dade Behring, Eschbom, Germany), and the monitoring of adverse events.Baseline characteristics and study hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance. Tests were two-tailed with a 0.05 significance level.Seventy-eight subjects (87%) completed both baseline and 4-month testing (n=36 in placebo group, n=42 in ginkgo biloba group). At baseline, the participants' cognitive function was above average. One of six cognitive tests indicated significant protocol differences at 4 months (P=0.03), favoring the placebo. There were no significant differences in quality of life, platelet function, or adverse events.These finding do not support the use of a ginkgo biloba-containing supplement for improving cognitive function or quality of life in cognitively intact, older, healthy adults. However, high baseline scores may have contributed to the null findings. The ginkgo biloba product seems safe and did not alter platelet function, though additional studies are needed to evaluate the interaction of varying doses of ginkgo biloba and ginkgo biloba-containing supplements with medications and supplements that alter hemostasis.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jada.2006.12.011

    View details for Web of Science ID 000244551100016

    View details for PubMedID 17324660

  • Intergrating energy healing in new environments and for self-care. Beginnings (American Holistic Nurses' Association) Dinucci, E. M. 2006; 26 (1): 10-11

    View details for PubMedID 16463717

  • Energy healing - A complementary treatment for orthopaedic and other conditions ORTHOPAEDIC NURSING DiNucci, E. M. 2005; 24 (4): 259-269

    Abstract

    Complementary and alternative therapies continue to grow in popularity among healthcare consumers. Among those modalities is energy healing (EH) (Eisenberg et al., 1998). EH is an adjunctive treatment that is noninvasive and poses little downside risk to patients. Well more than 50 major hospitals and clinics throughout the United States offer EH to patients (DiNucci, research table on healthcare facilities that offer Reiki, unpublished data, 2002). The National Institutes of Health is funding numerous EH studies that are examining its effects on a variety of conditions, including temporomandibular joint disorders, wrist fractures, cardiovascular health, cancer, wound healing, neonatal stress, pain, fibromyalgia, and AIDS (National Institutes of Health, 2004a). Several well-designed studies to date show significant outcomes for such conditions as wound healing (Grad, 1965) and advanced AIDS (Sicher, Targ, Moore, & Smith, 1998), and positive results for pain and anxiety (Aetna IntelliHealth, 2003a; Wardell, Weymouth, 2004), among others (Gallob, 2003). It is also suggested that EH may have positive effects on various orthopaedic conditions, including fracture healing, arthritis, and muscle and connective tissue (Prestwood, 2003). Because negative outcomes risk is at or near zero throughout the literature, EH is a candidate for use on many medical conditions.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000237086500004

    View details for PubMedID 16056170

  • A review of mind/body therapies in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders with implications for the elderly ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE Luskin, F. M., Newell, K. A., Griffith, M., Holmes, M., Telles, S., DiNucci, E., Marvasti, F. F., Hill, M., Pelletier, K. R., Haskell, W. L. 2000; 6 (2): 46-?

    Abstract

    A comprehensive, but not systematic, review of the research on complementary and alternative treatments, specifically mind/body techniques, on musculoskeletal disease was conducted at Stanford University. The goals of the review were to establish a comprehensive literature review and provide a rationale for future research carrying the theme of "successful aging."Computerized searches were conducted using MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Stanford Library, Dissertation Abstracts, Lexus-Nexus, the Internet as well as interviews conducted with practitioners and the elderly. Mind/body practices evaluated were: social support, cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, the placebo effect, imagery, visualization, spiritual/energy healing, music therapy, hypnosis, yoga, tai chi, and qigong. Studies published after 1990 were the priority, but when more recent literature was scarce, other controlled studies were included.Mind/body techniques were found to be efficacious primarily as complementary treatments for musculoskeletal disease and related disorders. Studies provided evidence for treatment efficacy but most apparent was the need for further controlled research.Reviewers found a dearth of randomized controlled research conducted in the US. There is a lack of studies with which to determine appropriate dosage and understand the mechanisms by which many of the practices work. Anecdotal evidence, some controlled research, clinical observation, as well as the cost effectiveness and lack of side effects of the mind/body treatments make further investigation a high priority.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000085523000010

    View details for PubMedID 10710803

  • Complementary/alternative medicine in the elderly. (Chapter 14). Complementary/Alternative Medicine: An Evidence Based Approach. Mosby Books. Luskin F., DiNucci E, Newell K, Haskell WL. 1999: 391-410

Presentations

  • Integrative Health and Self-care

    Presented on the value of self-care and disease prevention and health maintenance as well as an experiential practice.

    Time Period

    11/5/2011 - 11/5/2011

    Presented To

    The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) Aware for All Conference

    Location

    San Francisco, CA

  • Energy Healing Self-Care for Chronic Conditions and Stress

    Provided research and background information and energy clearing self-care practices that 1) release physical and emotional tension, 2) clear from extraneous energies, and 3) support the healing of chronic conditions.

    Time Period

    11/3/2011 - 11/3/2011

    Presented To

    Stanford Health Improvement Program, Stanford School of Medicine

    Location

    Stanford, CA

  • Nourishing the Mind-Body Connection

    Presents ongoing series of four workshops on body/mind therapeutic modalities to enhance relaxation and healing for those touched by cancer.

    Time Period

    1/9/2007

    Presented To

    Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Services, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

    Location

    Oakland, CA

  • Stress Less: Coping with Chaos at Work

    Nursing continuing education program highlights included:
    • increasing awareness of how stress affects body and mind and current coping strategies
    • learning simple practices that can be integrated into the workplace to clear the mind and relax the body for improved decision-making and performance
    • hearing about supportive activities to relieve daily stress
    • discovering new ways to de-stress the work environment
    • honing intuition skills for on-the-spot problem solving for personal and professional needs
    • developing a plan for tackling stress during break-time, regular activities and time away from work

    Time Period

    4/22/2010 - 4/22/2010

    Presented To

    Stanford Hospital Center for Education and Professional Development

    Location

    Stanford, CA

  • Mindful Eating: Turning Simple Behavior into Sensory Delight

    Presenter at and coordinator of the "From Supplements to Spices: Nutrition for Optimal Health" conference. Mindful Eating talk focused on practical applications of mindfulness resources, information, and techniques to the everyday lives of nurses and their patients.

    Time Period

    11/13/2009 - 11/13/2009

    Location

    Stanford, CA

  • Mind-Body Interventions for Patient Care

    Mind-body medicine positively impacts chronic health conditions and stress, according to a growing of research evidence. This day long workshop offered training in an array of mind-body practices that focus mental intention for healing and relaxation, cultivate body awareness for improved functioning, calm the body and mind to create perspective, and produce appreciation of the present moment to enhance quality of life and to improve mood. These tools can be taught to and performed on patients. Furthermore, when healthcare professionals demonstrate these to patients, the process facilitates the integration of these practices into professional and personal self-care.

    Time Period

    11/4/2005 - 11/4/2005

    Presented To

    Stanford Hospital Center for Education and Professional Development

    Location

    Stanford, CA

  • Intuition for Productivity, Innovation & Wellness

    Applied intuition is practiced in a variety of arenas including business management, scientific discovery and creative expression. According to a Harvard Business Review article, many successful business executives use intuitive “knowing” in decision-making. This workshop offered examples of 1) breakthroughs aided by intuition, 2) research, 3) different ways attendees experience intuition, 4) how ancient cultures accessed intuitive knowing and 5) situations and activities that promote or hinder intuition. In addition, attendees learned techniques to raise awareness of intuition and to apply intuition to practical matters.

    Time Period

    2/15/2008 - 2/22/2008

    Presented To

    Stanford Health Improvement Program, Stanford School of Medicine

    Location

    Stanford, CA

  • Energy Healing Self-care

    Presented research, background information, and practices to participants in the "LIFE: Preventing Disability Through Exercise and Social Engagement" study.

    Time Period

    4/19/2011 - 4/19/2011

    Presented To

    Stanford Prevention Research Center

    Location

    Mountain View, CA

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