Constance Visovsky, PhD

Associations

• Health Outcomes & Behavior Program

Education & Training

Graduate:

• University of Rochester, MSN - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Oncology
• Case Western Reserve University, PhD - Nursing

Fellowship:

• Case Western Reserve University - Translational Research Oncology Grant

My research interest is in the neuromuscular effects of cancer treatment, specifically focused on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. I have completed an NCI-funded trial of resistance exercise as a means of preserving muscle strength during chemotherapy and a pilot study that formed the basis of my recent R01 submission using both aerobic and resistive exercise to ameliorate taxane-induced neuropathy. I am a certified acute care nurse practitioner with expertise in breast cancer, head and neck cancer and malignant melanoma. As a post-doctoral fellow, I studied cancer and exercise behavior with Dr. Kerry Courneya at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I joined USF in January, 2011 in part due to my collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center member, Dr. Cindy Tofthagen. I was an external reviewer for Dr. Tofthagen’s doctoral dissertation work, and served as a mentor to her in the development of her knowledge and skill in exercise and gait and balance training. We are currently collaborating on several manuscripts, and a pilot study of cancer symptoms experienced by patients in Panama, where we have an undergraduate student community health experience.

• Schwab L, Visovsky C. Psychological distress and quality of life in breast cancer survivors with taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy: A scoping review. Front Oncol. 2023 Jan.12:1005083. Pubmedid: 36703798. Pmcid: PMC9872004.
• Abduljawad SF, Beckstead JW, Dobbs D, Visovsky C, Rodriguez CS, McMillan SC, Wang HL. Fatigue-related symptom clusters and functional status of older adults in hospice. Palliat Support Care. 2023 Feb.21(1):57-64. Pubmedid: 35676795.
• Marshall VK, Visovsky C, Advani P, Mussallem D, Tofthagen C. Cancer treatment-specific medication beliefs among metastatic breast cancer patients: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer. 2022 Aug.30(8):6807-6815. Pubmedid: 35527287.
• Teran-Wodzinski P, Haladay D, Vu T, Ji M, Coury J, Adams A, Schwab L, Visovsky C. Assessing gait, balance, and muscle strength among breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Trials. 2022 Apr.23(1):363. Pubmedid: 35477489. Pmcid: PMC9044705.
• Castañeda-Hidalgo H, Visovsky C, Hernández DE, González-Quirarte NH, Compeán-Ortiz L, Campiño SM. Nursing's contributions to Sustainable Development Goals in Latin America through education, leadership, and partnerships. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021 Sep.121:104004. Pubmedid: 34271461.
• Tofthagen C, Visovsky C, Dominic S, McMillan S. Neuropathic symptoms, physical and emotional well-being, and quality of life at the end of life. Support Care Cancer. 2019 Sep.27(9):3357-3364. Pubmedid: 30623244. Pmcid: PMC6616011.
• Wang HL, McMillan SC, Vijayakumar N, McDonald S, Huang LT, Gwede C, Padhya T, Russell J, Vondruska K, Buck HG, Huang Y, Visovsky C. A Behavioral Physical Activity Intervention to Manage Moderate and Severe Fatigue Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients-Pre-efficacy Study in the National Institutes of Health ORBIT Model. Cancer Nurs. 2019 Jan.42(1):E1-E14. Pubmedid: 29461282.
• Kurtin SE, Visovsky C, Brady ED, Brody ALK. The SMARTIE Program: A Novel Initiative to Evaluate the Impact of AP Continuing Education on Clinical Practice. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2018 Oct.8(7):776-788. Pubmedid: 30333941. Pmcid: PMC6188091.
• Grande C, Visovsky C, Brose MS. The Challenges of Clinical Research in Rare Cancers: Bevacizumab Use in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian and Primary Peritoneal Cancers. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2018 Jul.8(4):388-391. Pubmedid: 30018844. Pmcid: PMC6040873.
• Tofthagen C, Visovsky C, Eckelman E, Clatterbuck B, Leggatt M, Buck H. Starting a nurse-led clinic for patients with peripheral neuropathy. Nursing. 2018 Aug.48(8):39-42. Pubmedid: 30045238.
• Wang HL, Liu CJ, Kilpatrick M, Jim H, McMillan S, Vijayakumar N, McDonald S, Padhya T, Russell J, Vondruska K, Visovsky C. Exergame Grading Scheme: Concept Development and Preliminary Psychometric Evaluations in Cancer Survivors. Rehabil Res Pract. 2017 Nov.2017:6843016. Pubmedid: 29098087. Pmcid: PMC5643152.
• Wang HL, Ji M, Visovsky C, Rodriguez CS, Elliott AF, Gwede CK, Padhya TA, Ridley MB, McMillan SC. Clinically Relevant Four-Level Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Patients With Various Types of Cancer. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2016 Oct.7(1):23-37. Pubmedid: 27713842. Pmcid: PMC5045276.
• Wang HL, Visovsky C, Ji M, Groer M. Stress-related biobehavioral responses, symptoms, and physical activity among female veterans in the community: An exploratory study. Nurse Educ Today. 2016 Dec.47:2-9. Pubmedid: 27372810.
• Visovsky C. Writing a Successful Grant: Tips and Tools. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2015 Nov.6(3):279-280. Pubmedid: 26557415. Pmcid: PMC4625634.
• Visovsky C. Calcium and Magnesium for Oxaliplatin-Induced Neurotoxicity: Issues in Study Design, Measurement, and Analysis. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2015 Nov.6(3):272-276. Pubmedid: 26557414. Pmcid: PMC4625633.
• Visovsky C. Treatment Considerations for the Management of Patients With Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2014 Sep.5(5):321-330. Pubmedid: 26114012. Pmcid: PMC4457170.
• Smith EM, Campbell G, Tofthagen C, Kottschade L, Collins ML, Warton C, Ghosh B, Ronis DL, Mallory GA, Visovsky C. Nursing knowledge, practice patterns, and learning preferences regarding chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2014 Nov.41(6):669-679. Pubmedid: 25355022.
• Tofthagen C, Gonzalez L, Visovsky C, Akers A. Self-management of oxaliplatin-related peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer survivors. Chemother Res Pract. 2013 Sep.2013:547932. Pubmedid: 24062949. Pmcid: PMC3766977.
• Visovsky C. Challenges in the conduct of research: chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2013 Sep.4(5):369-371. Pubmedid: 25032016. Pmcid: PMC4093442.
• Tofthagen C, McAllister RD, Visovsky C. Peripheral neuropathy caused by Paclitaxel and docetaxel: an evaluation and comparison of symptoms. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2013 Jul.4(4):204-215. Pubmedid: 25032002. Pmcid: PMC4093436.
• Tofthagen C, Visovsky CM, Hopgood R. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: an algorithm to guide nursing management. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2013 Apr.17(2):138-144. Pubmedid: 23538249. Pmcid: PMC5469440.
• Tofthagen C, Visovsky C, Berry DL. Strength and balance training for adults with peripheral neuropathy and high risk of fall: current evidence and implications for future research. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2012 Sep.39(5):E416-E424. Pubmedid: 22940521. Pmcid: PMC5385995.
• Visovsky C, Haas M, Faiman B, Kurtin S, Shaftic AM, Lyden E, Rice J. Nurse self-evaluation of assessment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with cancer. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2012 Sep.3(5):319-325. Pubmedid: 25031961. Pmcid: PMC4093352.
• Beusterien K, Grinspan J, Tencer T, Brufsky A, Visovsky C. Patient preferences for chemotherapies used in breast cancer. Int J Womens Health. 2012 Oct.4:279-287. Pubmedid: 22870042. Pmcid: PMC3410702.
• Berger AM, Visovsky C, Hertzog M, Holtz S, Loberiza FR. Usual and worst symptom severity and interference with function in breast cancer survivors. J Support Oncol. 2012 May.10(3):112-118. Pubmedid: 22277573.
• Visovsky C. Acupuncture for the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2012 May.3(3):178-181. Pubmedid: 25031943. Pmcid: PMC4093312.
• Becher J, Visovsky C. Horizontal violence in nursing. Medsurg Nurs. 2012 Jul.21(4):210-3, 232. Pubmedid: 22966523.
• Stark L, Tofthagen C, Visovsky C, McMillan SC. The Symptom Experience of Patients with Cancer. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 2012 Jan.14(1):61-70. Pubmedid: 22639548. Pmcid: PMC3358129.
• McChargue DE, Sankaranarayanan J, Visovsky CG, Matthews EE, Highland KB, Berger AM. Predictors of adherence to a behavioral therapy sleep intervention during breast cancer chemotherapy. Support Care Cancer. 2012 Feb.20(2):245-252. Pubmedid: 21174129. Pmcid: PMC9677574.
• Cohen MZ, Ferrell BR, Vrabel M, Visovsky C, Schaefer B. What does it mean to be an oncology nurse? Reexamining the life cycle concepts. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2010 Sep.37(5):561-570. Pubmedid: 20797948.
• Berger AM, Grem JL, Visovsky C, Marunda HA, Yurkovich JM. Fatigue and other variables during adjuvant chemotherapy for colon and rectal cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2010 Nov.37(6):E359-E369. Pubmedid: 21059569.
• Margalit R, Thompson S, Visovsky C, Geske J, Collier D, Birk T, Paulman P. From professional silos to interprofessional education: campuswide focus on quality of care. Qual Manag Health Care. 2009 Jul.18(3):165-173. Pubmedid: 19609186.
• Visovsky C, Meyer RR, Roller J, Poppas M. Evaluation and management of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients with cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2008 Apr.12(2):243-247. Pubmedid: 18390460.
• Ingram C, Visovsky C. Exercise intervention to modify physiologic risk factors in cancer survivors. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2007 Nov.23(4):275-284. Pubmedid: 18022055.
• Visovsky C, Collins M, Abbott L, Aschenbrenner J, Hart C. Putting evidence into practice: evidence-based interventions for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2007 Dec.11(6):901-913. Pubmedid: 18063548.
• Visovsky C. The effects of neuromuscular alterations in elders with cancer. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2006 Feb.22(1):36-42. Pubmedid: 16458181.
• Visovsky CG. Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma. Can Oncol Nurs J. 2005.15(3):161-174. Pubmedid: 16261812.