Prof. Dr. Cornelia Weise

Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Health Technology

My research is driven by the belief that “There is no health without mental health.” As a clinical psychologist, I am deeply interested in understanding how existing clinical psychological interventions can be adapted to better suit specific groups and made more accessible to diverse populations. Together with my research team, we explore key questions such as:

Research projects

  • 1. Behavioral Medicine: How can psychotherapeutic approaches be tailored to address the needs of individuals primarily experiencing physical symptoms, such as tinnitus, endometriosis, or chronic pain?
  • 2. Internet-Based Psychotherapy: How can new technologies, such as smartphone apps or browser-based programs, be leveraged to enhance the accessibility and availability of psychotherapy? This includes improving access for individuals who face barriers due to their geographic location, time constraints, or other obstacles that might hinder them from attending conventional psychological treatment.
  • 3. Culture-Sensitive Clinical Psychology: What role do cultural factors play in psychological distress and the decision to seek (mental) health care? How can we better incorporate these factors when designing and implementing psychological interventions? Additionally, how should training for psychotherapists be structured to increase their awareness of culturally sensitive treatment and en-hance their ability to provide effective care in diverse cultural contexts?

  • EndoSense - Development and Evaluation of a Biofeedback Intervention to Improve Quality of Life in Endometriosis

    (Own Funds)

    Term: since 1. October 2024
    Abstract
    Surfaceelectromyography (sEMG) biofeedback is a well-established, non-invasive methodthat enables individuals to perceive and consciously regulate physiologicalactivity—such as pelvic floor muscle tension—in real time. In endometriosis,sEMG biofeedback may help reduce chronically elevated pelvic floor muscletension and enhance individuals’ sense of control and self-efficacy.The EndoSense project pursues three core objectives:
    (1) To systematically assess pelvic floor muscle tension and physiologicalstress reactivity in individuals with endometriosis compared to healthycontrols.
    (2) To evaluate the acceptance and feasibility of a single-session biofeedbackintervention using vaginal sEMG sensors in a laboratory setting.
    (3) To qualitatively explore user needs and potential barriers to a home-basedsEMG biofeedback training, which is intended to be further evaluated in asubsequent randomized controlled trial.

  • InterFEARence – Assessing feared movements in people with chronic back pain with EmpkinS sensor technology

    (Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)

    Overall project: Empathokinästhetische Sensorik
    Term: 1. October 2024 - 31. July 2027
    Funding source: DFG / Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB)
    URL: https://www.klips-bht.phil.fau.de/
    Abstract
    The aim ofthis subproject the identification of distinct posture and movementpatterns that differentiate between high and low fear avoidance in patientswith chronic primary low back pain through EmpkinS sensor technologies. Fearavoidance explains, how avoidant, dysfunctional behavior leads to and maintainschronic pain. Investigating fear avoidance in chronic primary low back pain isimportant, as it is a highly prevalent health condition with extensiveconsequences. Our objective is pivotal, as it bridges the gap betweenself-reported fear avoidance and observable movement behaviors in the form ofcharacteristic movement patterns. Further, we investigate the association ofacute (anticipatory) stress responses and fear avoidance with its relatedmovement changes. Innovative EmpkinS sensor technologies allow for a detailedassessment and analysis without intruding on the participant’s naturalmovement, thereby providing a more accurate representation of their fearavoidance behavior than previous marker-based optical motion capture systems. 

  • Endometriosis-related stigmatisation – The Endometriosis Stigma Scale

    (Own Funds)

    Term: since 1. October 2023
    Abstract
    This project aimed todevelop and validate a questionnaire to assess endometriosis-related stigmatisation.An initial pool of items was generated by the research team and refined throughfeedback from individuals with endometriosis, resulting in a 16-item scale. Thescale’s psychometric properties were examined in a validation study,demonstrating promising results. Based on these findings, the questionnaire wastranslated into English. The second study aims to evaluate the psychometricproperties of the English version to allow for international use.

  • Belle-App: Efficacy of a CBT-based mobile application to reduce premenstrual complaints

    (Own Funds)

    Term: since 1. January 2023
    URL: https://bellehealth.co/
    Abstract
    This project is a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a smartphone app with a cognitive-behavioral approach for women affected by premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Participants keep a symptom diary for two menstrual cycles and will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (app access for 12 weeks) or the control group. The app contains 16 mandatory modules, including cognitive strategies to deal with less helpful, symptom-related thoughts. Data will be collected four times to assess the impact of the app on the severity, impact and disability of PMDD.

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

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