Kathrin Milbury, PhD
Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Milbury
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2008 | University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA, PHD, Social Psychology |
| 2005 | University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA, MA, Social Psychology |
| 2000 | Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, USA, BA, Psychology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2013-2013 | Postdoctoral Fellow, Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2010-2012 | Postdoctoral Fellow, Psycho-oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2009-2009 | Trainee, Psycho-oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2018
Assistant Professor, Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2015
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2013
Graduate Research Assistant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - Present
Teaching Fellow, University Houston, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2008
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2005
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Diversity Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2017
Honors & Awards
| 2019 | Best Poster Award, American Society of Preventive Oncology Annual Meeting |
| 2017 | Abstract highlighted, by the American Society of Clinical Oncology with a press release |
| 2015 | Scholarship, AAMC 2015 Early Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar in Denver, CO |
| 2015 | Paper recognition at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) General Assembly |
| 2015 | National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program Awardee |
| 2013 | Runner-up Outstanding Trainee Award, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2013 | Postdoctoral Fellowship, NCI R25T |
| 2013 | Best Trainee Poster Award, Society for Integrative Oncology Annual Meeting |
| 2010 | Postdoctoral Fellowship, American Cancer Society |
| 2010 | Abstract Winner of Trainee Research Day, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2009 | NCI R25E Graduate Research Experience |
| 2000 | Big South Conference Student Athlete of the Year |
| 1998 | Big South Conference All-Conference Academic Honors |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Snyder S, Kroll JL, Chen AB, Antonoff MB, Yang CC, Milbury K. Moderators of the association between stigma and psychological and cancer-related symptoms in women with non-small cell lung cancer. Psychooncology 31(9):1581-1588, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35726392.
- Kroll JL, Kim S, Cho D, Weathers SP, Chen AB, Smith G, Bruera E, Milbury K. Financial distress and its associated burden in couples coping with an advanced cancer. Support Care Cancer 30(5):4485-4495, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35112209.
- Whisenant MS, Crane S, Stewart M, Milbury K. The Bereavement Experience for Partners of Patients With Central Nervous System Tumors. Oncol Nurs Forum 49(2):151-157, 2022. PMID: 35191902.
- Cho D, Kim S, Durrani S, Liao Z, Milbury K. Associations between spirituality, mindfulness, and psychological symptoms among advanced lung cancer patients and their spousal caregivers. J Pain Symptom Manage 61(5):898-908.e1, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33039605.
- Cho D, Milbury K, Liao Y, Pettaway CA, Gregg JR, Li Y, McNeill LH. Study protocol: One plus one can be greater than two-Ecological momentary assessment for Black prostate cancer survivors and partners. PLoS One 16(8):e0255614, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34370761.
- Milbury K, Li Y, Durrani S, Liao Z, Tsao AS, Carmack C, Cohen L, Bruera E. A Mindfulness-Based Intervention as a Supportive Care Strategy for Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and their Spouses: Results of a 3-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Oncologist 25(11):e1794-e1802, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32621630.
- Narayanan S, Milbury K, Wagner R, Cohen L. Religious coping in cancer- A quantitative analysis of expressive writing samples from patients with renal cell carcinoma. J Pain Symptom Manage 60(4):737-745.e3, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32387140.
- Milbury K, Weathers SP, Durrani S, Li Y, Whisenant M, Li J, Lim B, Weinberg JS, Kesler SR, Cohen L, Bruera E. Online couple-based meditation intervention for patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors and their partners: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage 59(6):1260-1267, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32061834.
- Cho D, Milbury K, McNeill LH. Stress and cancer-related lifestyle factors among African American heterosexual couples. PLoS One 15(5):e0232577, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32384125.
- Milbury K, Li J, Weathers SP, Mallaiah S, Armstrong T, Li Y, Bruera E, Cohen L. Pilot randomized, Controlled trial of a dyadic yoga program for Glioma patients undergoing radiotherapy and their family caregivers. Neurooncol Pract 6(4):311-320, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 31386042.
- Milbury K, Liao Z, Shannon V, Mallaiah S, Nagarathna R, Li Y, Yang C, Carmack C, Bruera E, Cohen L. Dyadic Yoga Program for Patients Undergoing Thoracic Radiotherapy and their Family Caregivers: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychooncology 28(3):615-621, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30659739.
- Ratcliff CG, Vinson CA, Milbury K, Badr H. Moving family interventions into the real world: What matters to oncology stakeholders?. J Psychosoc Oncol 37(2):1-21, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30421667.
- Milbury K, Li J, Weathers SP, Shih T, Malliaha S, Li Y, Cohen L. A research protocol for a pilot, randomized controlled trial designed to examine the feasibility of a dyadic versus individual yoga program for family caregivers of glioma patients undergoing radiotherapy. Pilot Feasibility Stud 5:95, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31367462.
- Durrani S, Contreras J, Mallaiah S, Cohen L, Milbury K. The Effects of Yoga in Helping Cancer Patients and Caregivers Manage the Stress of a Natural Disaster: A Brief Report on Hurricane Harvey. Integr Cancer Ther 18:1534735419866923, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31364416.
- Lopez G, Milbury K, Chen M, Li Y, Bruera E, Cohen L. Couples Symptom Burden in Oncology Care: Perception of Self and the Other. Support Care Cancer 27(1):139-145, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29948392.
- Escoto KH, Milbury K, Nguyen N, Cho D, Roberson C, Wetter D, McNeill LH. Use of Complementary Health Practices in a Church-Based African American Cohort. J Altern Complement Med 24(12):1204-1213, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29883196.
- Leeper H, Milbury K. Survivorship Care Planning and Implementation in Neuro-Oncology. Neuro Oncol suppl 7(suppl_7):vii40-vii46, 2018. PMID: 30412260.
- Milbury K, Mallaiah S, Mahajan A, Armstrong T, Weathers SP, Moss KE, Goktepe N, Spelman A, Cohen L. Yoga Program for High-Grade Glioma Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy and Their Family Caregivers. Integr Cancer Ther 17(2):332-336, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28150503.
- Leal I, Milbury K, Engebretson J, Matin S, Jonasch E, Tannir N, Wood CG, Cohen L. Interconnection: A Qualitative Analysis of Adjusting to Living with Cancer. Palliat Support Care 16(2):146-154, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28262086.
- Milbury K, Engle R, Tsao A, Liao Z, Owens A, Chaoul A, Bruera E, Cohen L. Pilot Testing of a Brief Couple-Based Mind-Body Intervention for Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Their Partners. J Pain Symptom Manage 55(3):953-961, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29208478.
- Kim C, Daniels M, Li Y, Milbury K, Cohen L. A Bayesian semiparametric latent variable approach to causal mediation. Stat Med 37(3):1149-1161, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29250817.
- Chaoul A, Milbury K, Spelman A, Basen-Engquist K, Hall MH, Wei Q, Shih YT, Arun B, Valero V, Perkins GH, Babiera GV, Wangyal T, Engle R, Harrison CA, Li Y, Cohen L. Randomized Trial of Tibetan Yoga in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy. Cancer 124(1):36-45, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28940301.
- Milbury K, Tsao AS, Liao Z, Owns A, Engle R, Gonzalez EA, Bruera E, Cohen L. A research protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to examine the feasibility of a couple-based mind-body intervention for patients with metastatic lung cancer and their partners. Pilot Feasibility Stud 4(37):37, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29416870.
- Lopez G, Liu W, Milbury K, Spelman A, Wei Q, Bruera E, Cohen L. The effects of oncology massage on symptom self-report for cancer patients and their caregivers. Support Care Cancer 25(12):3645-3650, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28660350.
- Milbury K, Lopez G, Spelman A, Wood C, Matin SF, Tannir NM, Jonasch E, Pisters L, Wei Q, Cohen L. Examination of moderators of expressive writing in patients with renal cell carcinoma: the role of depression and social support. Psychooncology 26(9):1361-1368, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27145447.
- Milbury K, Kavanagh A, Meng Z, Chen Z, Chandwani KD, Garcia K, Perkins GH, McQuade J, Raghuram NV, Nagarathna R, Liao Z, Nagendra HR, Chen J, Guo X, Liu L, Arun B, Cohen L. Depressive symptoms and positive affect suppression in Chinese and United States breast cancer survivors: A cross-cultural comparison. Support Care Cancer 25(7):2103-2109, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28233122.
- Badr H, Milbury K, Majeed N, Carmack CL, Ahmad Z, Gritz ER. Natural Language Use and Couples' Adjustment to Head and Neck Cancer. Health Psychol 35(10):1069-80, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27441867.
- Ratcliff CG, Milbury K, Chandwani KD, Chaoul A, Perkins G, Nagarathna R, Haddad R, Nagendra HR, Raghuram NV, Spelman A, Arun B, Wei Q, Cohen L. Examining Mediators and Moderators of Yoga for Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy. Integr Cancer Ther 15(3):250-262, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26867802.
- Thekdi SM, Milbury K, Spelman A, Wei Q, Wood C, Matin SF, Tannir N, Jonasch E, Pisters L, Cohen L. Posttraumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Association with Quality of Life and Utility of Single Item Distress Screening. Psychooncology 24(11):1477-84, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25690556.
- Milbury K, Mallaiah S, Lopez G, Liao Z, Yang C, Carmack C, Chaoul A, Spelman A, Cohen L. Vivekananda Yoga Program for Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer and their Family Caregivers. Integr Cancer Ther 14(5):446-51, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25917816.
- Milbury K, Chaoul A, Engle R, Liao Z, Yang C, Carmack C, Shannon V, Spelman A, Wangyal T, Cohen L. Couple-Based Tibetan Yoga Program for Lung Cancer Patients and their Caregivers. Psychooncology 24(1):117-20, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24890852.
- Badr H, Yeung C, Lewis MA, Milbury K, Redd WH. An observational study of social control, mood, and self-efficacy in couples during treatment for head and neck cancer. Psychol Health 30(7):783-802, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25471820.
- Chaoul A, Milbury K, Sood AK, Prinsloo S, Cohen L. Mind-body practices in cancer care. Curr Oncol Rep 16(12):417, 2014. PMID: 25325936.
- Milbury K, Spelman A, Wood C, Matin SF, Tannir N, Jonasch E, Pisters L, Wei Q, Cohen L. Randomized controlled trial of expressive writing for patients with renal cell carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 32(7):663-70, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24470003.
- Milbury K, Rosenthal DI, El-Naggar A, Badr H. An exploratory study of the informational and psychosocial needs of patients with human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Oral Oncol 49(11):1067-71, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23953777.
- Milbury K, Chaoul A, Biegler K, Wangyal T, Spelman A, Meyers CA, Arun B, Palmer JL, Taylor J, Cohen L. Tibetan sound meditation for cognitive dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled pilot trial. Psycho-Oncology 22(10):2354-63, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23657969.
- Milbury K, Badr H, Fossella F, Pisters KM, Carmack CL. Longitudinal associations between caregiver burden and patient and spouse distress in couples coping with lung cancer. Support Care Cancer 21(9):2371-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23546537.
- Chen Z, Meng Z, Milbury K, Bei W, Zhang Y, Thornton B, Liao Z, Wei Q, Chen J, Guo X, Liu L, McQuade J, Kirschbaum C, Cohen L. Qigong improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Cancer 119(9):1690-8, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23355182.
- Milbury K, Badr H. Communication patterns, sexual problems, and depressive symptoms in couples coping with metastatic breast cancer. Psychooncology 22(4):814-822, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22565300.
- Milbury K, Cohen L, Jenkins R, Skibber JM, Schover LR. Psychosocial and Medical Factors are Associated with Long-Term Sexual Dysfunction after Treatment for Colorectal Cancer. Journal of Support Care in Cancer 21(3):793-802, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23355182.
- Milbury K, Badr H, Carmack CL. The role of blame in the psychosocial adjustment of couples coping with lung cancer. Ann Behav Med 44(3):331-40, 2012. PMID: 22893024.
- Ojo B, Genden EM, Teng MS, Milbury K, Misiukiewicz KJ, Badr H. A systematic review of head and neck cancer quality of life assessment instruments. Oral Oncol 48(10):923-37, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22525604.
- Milbury K, Tannir NM, Cohen L. Treatment-Related Optimism Protects Quality of Life in a Phase II Clinical Trial for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Ann Behav Med 42(3):313-20, 2011. PMID: 21822749.
- Badr H, Milbury K. Associations between Depression, Pain Behaviors, and Partner Responses to Pain in Metastatic Breast Cancer. Pain 152(11):2596-2604, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21889263.
Abstracts
- Milbury K, Mallaiah S, Armstrong T, Weathers SP, Moss K, Goktepe N, Spelman A, Cohen L. Yoga Program for Patients with Brain Tumors Undergoing Radiotherapy and their Family Caregivers. Journal of Clinical Oncology 34(suppl 29S), 2016.
- Lopez G, Milbury K, Spelman A, Wei Q, Beinhorn CM, Bruera E, Cohen L. Oncology massage impact on patient with cancer and caregiver self-reported symptoms as part of an integrative oncology program at a comprehensive cancer center. Journal of Clinical Oncology 34(Suppl 26S), 2016.
- Powers-James C, Alvarez AL, Milbury K, Adan F, Lopez G, Cohen L, Delgado-Guay M, Olopade OI, Curlin FA, Lee RZ. The influence of spirituality and religiosity on the personal use and practice patterns with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): A national survey of US oncologists. Journal of Clinical Oncology 34(suppl. 26s):248, 2016.
- Milbury K, Glaccum, E., Hussain, H., Cohen, L. Associations between Writing about Health Behaviors and Health Outcomes in Kidney Cancer Patients. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 49(S1):S7, 2015.
- Milbury K, Mallaiah S, Lopez G, Liao Z, Yang C, Carmack C, Chaoul A, Spelman A, Cohen L. Couple-Based Hatha Yoga Program for Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy and their Caregivers. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 49(S1):S92, 2015.
- Milbury K, Lopez G, Tsao A, Bruera E. Cancer-related Communication in Symptom Burden in Couples Coping with Advanced Lang Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 33(Suppl. 29S), 2015.
- Milbury K, Schulz B, Berkova B, Taiwo Z, Spelman A, Wei Q, Cohen L. Religious Coping in the Emotional Writing (EW) of Kidney Cancer Patients. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 47 (Suppl)(S176), 2014.
- Milbury K, Chaoul A, Engle R, Liao Z, Yang C, Carmack C, Shannon V, Spelman A, Wangyal T, Cohen L. Tibetan Yoga Program for Lung Cancer Patients and Caregivers. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 47(Suppl):S97, 2014.
- Milbury K, Badr H, Carmack C. Caregiving burden predicts psychological distress in couples coping with lung cancer: a dyadic analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 45 (Suppl 2)(S176), 2013.
- Milbury K, Badr H. Observed Social Support Behaviors and Cancer-Related Cognitive Processing in Couples Coping with Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention 21(563), 2012.
- Milbury K, Badr H. The cancer stroop task as an implicit measure of cognitive interference in head and neck cancer patients. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention 20(717), 2011.
- Milbury K, Badr H, Carmack C. The role of blame and self-blame in the psychosocial adjustment of patients and their partners to lung cancer. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 41(Suppl)(S75), 2011.
- Badr H, Milbury K, Lee C, Kim C, Sallam A, Manne S. Social cognitive processing in couples coping with head and neck cancers. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 41(Suppl)(S59), 2011.
- Milbury K, Badr H. Development and implementation of a cancer stroop task to assess biased cognitive processing in couples coping with head and neck cancer (HNC). Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39(Suppl)(S165), 2010.
Book Chapters
- Badr H, Carmack CL, Milbury K, Temech M. Couples’ Interventions in Cancer: A Systematic Review. In: BI Carr, and JL Steel (Eds). Psychological Aspects of Cancer: A guide to emotional and psychological consequences of cancer, their causes and their management. In: Psychological Aspects of Cancer: A Guide to Emotional and Psychological Consequences of Cancer, Their Causes and Their Management. Springer: New York, 177-179, 2012.
- Badr H, Barker TM, Milbury K. Couples’ psychosocial adaptation to combat wounds and injuries. In: Risk and resilience in the U.S. military families. Springer Science Business Media: New York, 213-234, 2011.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Couple-Based Mind-Body Intervention for Lung Cancer Patients and their Partners |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCCIH |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Spousal Support, Cognitive Processes, & Adjustment in Head and Neck Cancer |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Couple-Based Meditation Program for Patients with Metastatic Lung Cancer and their Partners |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Yoga Program for Couples Coping with Lung Cancer |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A Psychosocial Intervention for the Caregivers of Advanced Lung Cancer Patients |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator/Site |
| Title: | A behavioral intervention for glioma patients and partners targeting QOL outcomes |
| Funding Source: | Hackett Family Foundation |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Yoga Intervention for Family Caregivers of Patients with Brain Tumors |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Online Psychosocial Intervention for Women with Lung Cancer Undergoing Treatment |
| Funding Source: | Duncan Family Institute Seed Funding |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Dyadic Yoga Program for Patients with Lung Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy and their Family Caregivers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | PC180952: Quality of Life among African American Prostate Cancer Survivors and Their Partners: A Multi-level Perspective |
| Funding Source: | Department of Defense (DOD) |
| Role: | Co-Mentor |
| Title: | Mind-body Medicine for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) Coping with Hodgkin Lymphoma |
| Funding Source: | Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Parenting-Related Psychosocial Care for Families Coping with Advanced Cancer |
| Funding Source: | Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Fellowship |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | One plus one can be greater than two: Ecological momentary assessment for black prostate cancer survivors and partners |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Parenting intervention for caregivers who parent a young child while caring for a spouse with an incurable cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Simulation-Based Caregiving Skills Training for Family Members of High Grade Glioma Patients |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Psycho-Spiritual Management for Patients with Advanced Cancer and their Family Caregivers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified November 19, 2024