Erica Sibinga, MD

Primary Academic Title

Professor of Pediatrics

Background

Centers and Institutes

• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
• Johns Hopkins Children's Center
• Mind-Body Research (CMBR), Center for
• Substance Abuse Treatment and Research, Center for

Clinical Trial Keywords

mindfulness, youth, HIV, integrative pediatrics

Clinical Trials Summary

Mindfulness instruction for HIV-infected youth

School-based mindfulness instruction for urban youth

Reducing distress in mothers of infants in the NICU through mindfulness audio programs

Web-based mindfulness resources for school teachers

Contact for Research Inquiries

5200 Eastern Ave.
Mason F. Lord Building, Center Tower, Suite 4200
Baltimore, MD 21224

Research Interests

Complementary/alternative medicine for pediatric patients, Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for urban youth, Pediatric integrative medicine

Research Summary

Dr. Sibinga’s research interest is related to the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pediatric patients. Her current research is focused on the adaptation and evaluation of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for urban youth. 

Using quantitative and qualitative methods, MBSR for HIV-infected and at-risk urban youth shows significant beneficial outcomes in psychological and quality of life domains. MBSR participation is associated with improved psychological function and coping, decreased post-trauma stress, improved relationships, and increased self-care, including better HIV medication adherence. 

Dr. Sibinga's is now working to further understand the mechanisms of the beneficial effects of high-quality structured mindfulness instruction for youth.  Also, current studies explore the potential for mindfulness resources to help school teachers and to reduce distress in mothers of infants in the NICU. 

Selected Publications

• Sibinga EM, Webb L, Ghazarian SR, Ellen JM. School-based mindfulness instruction: An RCT. Pediatrics. 2016 Jan 1;137(1):e20152532

• Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EM, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, Berger Z, Sleicher D, Maron DD, Shihab HM, Ranasinghe PD. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine. 2014 Mar 1;174(3):357-68

• Mendelson T, McAfee C, Damian AJ, Brar A, Donohue P, Sibinga E. A mindfulness intervention to reduce maternal distress in neonatal intensive care: a mixed methods pilot study. Archives of women's mental health. 2018 Jun 5:1-9

• Ortiz R, Sibinga EM. The role of mindfulness in reducing the adverse effects of childhood stress and trauma. Children. 2017 Feb 28;4(3):16

• Webb L, Perry-Parrish C, Ellen J, Sibinga E. Mindfulness instruction for HIV-infected youth: a randomized controlled trial. AIDS care. 2018 Jun 3;30(6):688-95.

Honors

• Chair, Section on Integrative Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, 11/1/16
• Vice-Chair, Section on Integrative Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, 11/1/14
• Co-Chair, Johns Hopkins Mindfulness and Learning Symposium, 3/1/13
• Executive Committee, Section on Integrative Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, 11/1/12
• Director, Ambulatory Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 7/1/11
• Co-Chair, Special Interest Group, Ambulatory Pediatric Association, 5/1/10
• Clinical Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Addiction and Pregnancy Pediatric Clinic, 7/1/09
• Associate Director, Center for Community and Child Research at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 1/1/07
• Core Faculty, Center for Mind-Body Research at Johns Hopkins, 7/1/06
• Faculty Travel Award to attend Annual MBSR Research Conference, Integrating Mindfulness-Based Interventions into Medicine, Healthcare, and Society, Center for Mind-Body Research; Worcester, MA, 1/1/06
• Faculty Travel Award for Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction program participation, Center for Mind-Body Research, 1/1/05
• CAM Center Training Award, Johns Hopkins University, 1/1/04
• Senior thesis awarded Honors--Karl Lashley: Iconoclast Among Psychologists, Wesleyan University, 1/1/85
• Sigma Xi Science Honor Society, Wesleyan University, 1/1/84
• Chapter President, National Honor Society, 1/1/79

Professional Activities

• Center for Addiction and Pregnancy Pediatric Clinic, Medical Director, 7/1/09
• Johns Hopkins, Designing Clinical Research (DCR) program, 1/1/14 - 6/30/17
• Johns Hopkins, Leadership Program for Women Faculty, 1/1/11 - 6/30/13