Ai Kubo, MPH, PhD

People

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 891-3750 (phone)
ai.kubo@kp.org
Kaiser Permanente Researcher Profiles

Ai Kubo, MPH, PhD, is a research scientist and cancer epidemiologist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. She received her Master's in Public Health (MPH) degree from University of California, Berkeley, in 2002, and her PhD in Epidemiology from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in 2007. Her current research interest focuses on identification of early life determinants of cancer, modifiable cancer risk factors and prognostic factors, and the development of effective intervention strategies. She is currently the principal investigator of the National Cancer Institute's Career Development Award, investigating early life risk factors of accelerated pubertal onset in girls. Dr. Kubo is also a certified yoga instructor and is the Principal Investigator of a pilot study funded by the American Cancer Society, examining the effect of mobile-application based mindfulness intervention for cancer patients and their family members.

Current Position(s):

Research Scientist I, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Section Affiliations:

Primary Research Interests:

Cancer epidemiology
Behavioral intervention

Studies

mHealth Mindfulness Intervention for Women with Perinatal Depression: A Feasibility Study

The primary goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of conducting a mobile-health mindfulness intervention (mHealth) study among pregnant and postpartum women with depressive symptoms. Perinatal depression has numerous adverse health consequences, including preterm delivery, negative maternal-infant interaction, and child behavior problems. We will recruit ~30 women who present symptoms of perinatal depression from the OBGYN clinics at Kaiser Permanente and use a single-arm intervention design to assess the feasibility of conducting a six-week mHealth mindfulness intervention. We will also obtain preliminary efficacy results consisting of patient-reported outcomes on depression, anxiety, perceived stress, health behaviors, mindfulness, and sleep.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: Northern California Community Benefit Programs

A Pilot Pragmatic Trial of mHealth Mindfulness Intervention to Improve Quality of Life Among Metastatic Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

Screening for psychosocial distress is an accreditation requirement of the Commission on Cancer, underscoring the importance of addressing cancer patients’ psychosocial needs. Mindfulness-based training is one strategy that has been shown to help cancer patients reduce distress and improve quality of life. However, logistical requirements of standard in-person mindfulness classes make it impractical for cancer patients to receive benefit. To address this issue, we have conducted a few studies that demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of non-face-to-face mindfulness approaches (e.g., CD, MP3 and mobile app). Building on these studies, this project will pilot test the feasibility of implementing a mobile/online-based mindfulness program for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers in a cluster randomized trial involving six oncology clinics.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: The Permanente Medical Group

Being Present: A Feasibility Study of Audio-Based Mindfulness Meditation Intervention for Metastatic Cancer Patients and Caregiver

Based on our previous pilot study of CD-based mindfulness intervention for cancer patients, we propose to develop a mobile application and pilot test its acceptability among cancer patients and their caregivers in order to reduce stress and to improve quality of life. We will hold a focus group to obtain participants feedback regarding the mobile-based intervention, and conduct an 8-week feasibility study using the application.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: Kaiser Permanente Institutional Planned Giving

Mobile App-Based Mindfulness Pilot Study for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

This pilot randomized trial will test the feasibility of a mobile-app based mindfulness intervention for cancer patients and their caregivers in order to reduce stress, and to improve quality of life and patient-provider communication.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: American Cancer Society

Early Life Determinants of Accelerated Pubertal Development in Adolescent Girls

The goal of this research is to identify early life factors which influence the timing of pubertal development among adolescent girls. The first study utilizes data from the Cohort Study of Young Girls Nutrition, Environment and Transitions (CYGNET), which has been collecting detailed data on pubertal development, behavioral, environmental, and anthropometric information among 444 adolescent girls since 2005. The second study is a prospective cohort study of approximately 10,000 adolescent girls (age 8-9) within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. We will use Tanner stage information that has been entered into HealthConnect to identify early life risk factors of early pubertal development as well as racial/ethnic differences in the timing of pubertal development.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: National Cancer Institute

Highlighted Publications

Perceived psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain among women with gestational diabetes

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Brown SD; Ehrlich SF; Tsai AL; Quesenberry CP; Crites Y; Hedderson MM

PLoS ONE. 2017;12(3):e0174290. Epub 2017-03-28.

Current Position(s):

Section Affiliations:

Primary Research Interests:

Studies

mHealth Mindfulness Intervention for Women with Perinatal Depression: A Feasibility Study

A Pilot Pragmatic Trial of mHealth Mindfulness Intervention to Improve Quality of Life Among Metastatic Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

Being Present: A Feasibility Study of Audio-Based Mindfulness Meditation Intervention for Metastatic Cancer Patients and Caregiver

Mobile App-Based Mindfulness Pilot Study for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Early Life Determinants of Accelerated Pubertal Development in Adolescent Girls

Highlighted Publications

Perceived psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain among women with gestational diabetes

Associations Between Maternal Pregravid Obesity and Gestational Diabetes and the Timing of Pubarche in Daughters

Maternal Hyperglycemia During Pregnancy Predicts Adiposity of the Offspring

Yoga for heart failure patients; a feasibility pilot study with a multiethnic population

Publications

Being Present: A single-arm feasibility study of audio-based mindfulness meditation for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers

Personal and clinical social support and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients in an integrated health care system

Genetic Variants in CPA6 and PRPF31 are Associated with Variation in Response to Metformin in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

Associations Between Maternal Obesity and Pregnancy Hyperglycemia and Timing of Pubertal Onset in Adolescent Girls: A Population-Based Study

Perceived psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain among women with gestational diabetes

Prevention of Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B: An Observational Study

Associations Between Maternal Pregravid Obesity and Gestational Diabetes and the Timing of Pubarche in Daughters

Lifestyle behaviors and ethnic identity among diverse women at high risk for type 2 diabetes

Maternal Hyperglycemia During Pregnancy Predicts Adiposity of the Offspring

Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Sex-specific associations between body mass index, waist circumference and the risk of Barrett's oesophagus: a pooled analysis from the international BEACON consortium

Dietary fiber and the risk of precancerous lesions and cancer of the esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yoga for heart failure patients; a feasibility pilot study with a multiethnic population

Dietary factors and the risks of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett's oesophagus

Proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists are associated with hip fractures among at-risk patients

Alcohol types and sociodemographic characteristics as risk factors for Barrett's esophagus

Race, ethnicity, sex and temporal differences in Barrett's oesophagus diagnosis: a large community-based study, 1994-2006

Effects of dietary fiber, fats, and meat intakes on the risk of Barrett's esophagus

Hemochromatosis gene status as a risk factor for Barrett's esophagus

Helicobacter pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a case-control study

Dietary antioxidants, fruits, and vegetables and the risk of Barrett's esophagus

Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of Barrett's oesophagus: a community-based study

Abdominal obesity and the risk of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinomas

Meta-analysis of antioxidant intake and the risk of esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma

Abdominal obesity, ethnicity and gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms

Body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Body mass index and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus or gastric cardia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Risk of hemorrhagic stroke in Asian American ethnic groups

Influence of site classification on cancer incidence rates: an analysis of gastric cardia carcinomas

Marked multi-ethnic variation of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinomas within the United States

Marked regional variation in adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and the gastric cardia in the United States