Project Summary-Abstract
The goal of the funded study is to develop a multi-modal intervention based on the EE
paradigm tested in the team's animal model and test its efficacy in women with
endometriosis. The start of the intervention was set to begin January 11, 2020, and by
December 2019 all logistics of the interventions were in place. However, due to natural
disasters affecting Puerto Rico (a series of earthquakes in January-February 2020, and the
COVID-19 pandemic), the scientific team had to make the difficult decision to postpone the
start of the intervention. The team factored in that the high levels of stress in the PR
population would affect the study as it would be difficult to disentangle the effect of ongoing
natural disasters to the stress of living with endometriosis.
Currently, vaccination for COVID-19 in Puerto Rico continue to advance rapidly, positivity
rates are lower than 5%, and the government has lifted most restrictions on gatherings and
curfews. The scientific team made the decision to start the intervention in August 2021. In
preparation for this, the team requested an NIH no -cost extension to allow for the
continuation of this study for an additional year, which was approved. However, the remaining
funds do not include the salary of a key position in the study team, the Research Coordinator,
Ms. Paola Ramos. We are hereby requesting additional funds to support the Research
Coordinator's salary for an additional year to make up for the time lost due to COVID-19
related restrictions. In addition, we are requesting additional funds to cover costs related to
measures to prevent COVID-19 during the interventions. The Research Coordinator position
is crucial for the success of the project as this position is in charge of overall organization of
the logistics involved in the activities, data collection and analysis, and follow-ups on study
subjects, venues, and coaches delivering the interventions. In addition, the Research
Coordinator contributes extensively to data entry, quality control, and analysis as well as the
generation of progress reports, presentations, and publications.
