Eric Zhou, Ph.D. is on faculty in the Division of Sleep Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He serves as a Staff Psychologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital.

Dr. Zhou completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and his pre-doctoral internship at Brown University Alpert Medical School.  He received a B.Sc. (Integrated Sciences and Psychology) from the University of British Columbia and an M.S. and Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, Health Division) from the University of Miami. 

His research focuses on how we can better understand and treat sleep disorders in both pediatric and adult populations, including those with chronic illnesses. Dr. Zhou's work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, private foundations, and industry. His research has been published in journals such as JAMA Psychiatry, Cancer, and SLEEP. Dr. Zhou serves on the editorial boards of Annals of Behavioral Medicine and the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine.

In the Press

Dr. Zhou and his work have been featured by multiple major news and media outlets:

Media videos

Research 

His work has been supported by grant funding from:

PUBLICATIONS

Since 2006, Dr. Zhou has published more than 80 manuscripts in the field of health psychology/behavioral medicine:
2006
​Virji-Babul, N., Kerns, K., Zhou, E.S., Kapur, A., & Shiffrar, M.  (2006).  Perceptual motor deficits in children with Down syndrome: Implications for intervention.  Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 10(2), 74-82.
2007
​Miller, G.E., Chen, E., & Zhou, E.S.  (2007).  If it goes up must it come down?  Chronic stress and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical axis in humans.  Psychological Bulletin, 133(1), 25-45.
2010
​Zhou, E.S., Penedo, F.J., Bustillo, N.E., Benedict, C., Rasheed, M., Lechner, S., Soloway, M., Kava, B.R., Schneiderman, N., & Antoni, M.H.  (2010).  Longitudinal effects of social support and adaptive coping on emotional well-being in localized prostate cancer survivors.  Journal of Supportive Oncology, 8, 196-201.
​Zhou, E.S., Penedo, F.J., Lewis, J.E., Rasheed, M., Traeger, L., Lechner, S., Soloway, M., Kava, B.R., & Antoni, M.H.   (2010).  Perceived stress mediates the effects of social support on health-related quality of life among men treated for localized prostate cancer.  Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 69(6), 587-590.
2011
​Zhou, E.S., Kim, Y., Rasheed, M., Benedict, C., Bustillo, N.E., Soloway, M., Kava, B.R.,  & Penedo, F.J.  (2011).  Marital satisfaction of advanced prostate cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers: The dyadic effects of physical and mental health.  Psycho-Oncology, 20(12): 1353-1357.
Kim, Y., Carver, C.S., Spillers, R.L., Crammer, C., & Zhou, E.S.  (2011).  Individual and dyadic relations between spiritual well-being and quality of life among cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers.  Psycho-Oncology, 20(7): 762-770.
2013
​Sanchez-Varela, V., Zhou, E.S., & Bober, S.L.  (2013).  Management of sexual problems.  Current Problems in Cancer, 37(6): 319-352.
​Bober, S.L., Zhou, E.S., Chen, B., Manley, P.E., Kenney, L.B., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2013).  Sexual function in childhood cancer survivors: A report from Project REACH.  Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(8): 2084-2093.
​​Zhou, E.S., Dunsiger, S.I., & Pinto, B.M.  (2013).  Proactive versus reactive recruitment to a physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors: Does it matter?  Clinical Trials, 10(4): 587-592.
Penedo, F.J., Benedict, C.V., Zhou, E.S., Rasheed, M., Traeger, L., Kava, B.R., Soloway, M., Czaja, S., & Antoni, M.H.  (2013).  Association of stress management skills and perceived stress with physical and emotional well-being among advanced prostate cancer survivors following androgen deprivation treatment.  Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 20(1): 25-32.
2014
Zhou, E.S., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2014). Insomnia in adult survivors of childhood cancer: A report from Project REACH.  Supportive Care in Cancer, 22(11): 3061-3069.​
Recklitis, C.J., Zhou, E.S., Zwemer, E., Hu, J.C., & Kantoff, P.W.  (2014). Suicidal ideation in prostate cancer survivors: Understanding the role of physical and psychological health outcomes.  Cancer, 120(21): 3393-3400.
​Benedict, C., Traeger, L., Dahn, J.R., Antoni, M., Kava, B., Bustillo, N., Zhou, E.S., & Penedo, F.J.  (2014). Sexual bother in men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy.  Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(10): 2571-2580.
​​Benedict, C., Dahn, J.R., Antoni, M., Traeger, L., Kava, B., Bustillo, N., Zhou, E.S. & Penedo, F.J.  (2014). Positive and negative mood in men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy: Considering the role of social support and stress.  Psycho-Oncology, 24(8): 932-939.
2015
Zhou, E.S., Nekhlyudov, L., & Bober, S.L.  (2015). The primary health care physician and the cancer patient: Tips and strategies.  Translational Andrology and Urology, 4(2): 218-231.
​Zhou, E.S., Falk, S.J., & Bober, S.L.  (2015). Managing premature menopause and sexual dysfunction. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 9(3): 294-300.
​Zhou, E.S., Manley, P.E., Marcus, K.J., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2015). Medical and psychosocial correlates of insomnia symptoms in adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Journal of Pediatric Psychology: 41(6): 623-630.
​Zhou, E.S., Hu, J.C., Kantoff, P.W., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2015). Identifying suicidal symptoms in prostate cancer survivors using brief self-report. Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice, 9: 59-67.
2016
​​​Zhou, E.S., Partridge, A.H., Blackmon, J.E., Morgan, E., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2016). A pilot videoconference group stress management program in cancer survivors: Lessons learned. Rural and Remote Health, 16(2): 3863.
Garland, S.N. Zhou, E.S., Gonzalez, B.D., & Rodriguez, N.  (2016). The question for mindful sleep: A critical synthesis of the impact of mindfulness-based interventions for insomnia. Current Sleep Medicine Reports, 2(3): 142-151.
Zhou, E.S., Bober, S.L., Nekhlyudov, L., Hu, J.C., Kantoff, P.W., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2016). Physical and emotional health information needs and preferences of long-term prostate cancer survivors. Patient Education and Counseling. 99(12): 2049-2054.
Zhou, E.S., & Owens, J.  (2016). Behavioral treatments for pediatric insomnia. Current Sleep Medicine Reports, 2(3): 127-135.
2017
​Zhou, E.S., Partridge, A.H., Syrjala, K.L., Michaud, A.L., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2017). Evaluation and treatment of insomnia in adult cancer survivorship programs. Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice​, 11(1): 74-79.
Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., Zhou, E.S., Poole, E. M., Zhang, X., Michels, K. B., Eliassen, A. H., Chen, W. Y., Holmes, M. D., Tworoger, S. S., & Schernhammer, E. S. (2017). Sleep and survival among women with breast cancer: 30 years of follow-up within the Nurses’ Health Study. British Journal of Cancer, 116(9): 1239-1246.
​Zhou, E.S., Partridge, A.H., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2017). A pilot trial of brief group cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia in an adult cancer survivorship program. Psycho-Oncology, 26(6): 843-848.
Zhou, E.S., Gardiner, P., Bertisch, S.M. (2017). Integrative medicine for insomnia. Medical Clinics of North America, 101(5): 865-879.
Zhou, E.S., Frederick, N.N., Bober, S.L. (2017). Hormonal changes and sexual dysfunction. Medical Clinics of North America, 101(6): 1135-1150.
Zhou, E.S., Vrooman, L.M., Manley, P.E., Crabtree, V.M., & Recklitis, C.J.  (2017). Adapted delivery of cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 15: 188-301.
Zhou, E.S., Suh, S., Youn, S., & Chung, S. (2017). Adapting cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia in cancer patients. Sleep Medicine Research, 8(2): 51-61.
​2018
​Garland, S.N., Rowe, H., Repa, L., Zhou, E.S., & Grandner, M.A. (2018). A decade's difference: 10-year change in insomnia symptom prevalence depends on sociodemographics and health status. Sleep Health, 4(2): 160-165​.
Zhou, E.S., Clark, K., Recklitis, C.J., Obenchain, R., & Loscalzo, M. (2018). Sleepless from the get go: Sleep problems prior to initiating cancer treatment. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25: 502-516.
2019
​Zhou, E.S., Hall, K.T., Michaud, A.L., Blackmon, J.E., Partridge, A.H., & Recklitis, C.J. (2019). Open-label placebo reduces fatigue in cancer survivors: A randomized trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(6): 2179-2187.
​Zhou, E.S., Clark, K., Recklitis, C.J., Obenchain, R., & Loscalzo, M. (2019). Preferences for help with a sleep problem before starting cancer treatment. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 57(1): e5-e8.
Trevorrow, T., Zhou, E.S., Dietch, J.R., & Gonzalez, B.D. (2019). Position statement: Start middle and high schools at 8:30 AM or later to promote student health and learning. Translational and Behavioral Medicine, 9(1): 167-169.
​Yusufov, M., Zhou, E.S., & Reckiltis, C.J. (2019). Psychometric properties of the Insomnia Severity Index in cancer survivors. Psycho-Oncology​, 28(3): 540-546.
Daniel, L.C., Wang, M., Mulrooney, D.A., Srivastava, D., Schwartz, L.A., Edelstein, K., Brinkman, T.M., Zhou, E.S., Howell, R.M, Gibson, T.M., Leisenring, W., Oeffinger, K.C., Neglia, J., Robinson, L.L., Armstrong, G.T., & Krull, K.R. (2019). Sleep behaviors and patterns and their associations with health outcomes in adult survivors of childhood cancers: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Psycho-Oncology, 28(4): 903-912.
2020
Daniel, L.C., van Litsenburg, R., Rogers, V.E., Zhou, E.S., Ellis, S., Wakefield, C.E., Stremler, R., Walter, L., & Crabtree, V.M. (2020). A call to action for expanded sleep research in pediatric oncology: A position paper on behalf of the International Psycho-Oncology Society Pediatrics Special Interest Group. Psycho-Oncology, 29(3): 465-474.
Zhou, E.S., Michaud, A.L., & Recklitis, C.J. (2020). Developing efficient and effective behavioral treatment for insomnia in cancer survivors: Results of a stepped care trial. Cancer, 126(1): 165-173.
Bethea, T.N., Zhou, E.S., Schernhammer, E.S., Castro-Webb, N., Cozier, Y.C., & Rosenberg, L. (2020). Perceived racial discrimination and risk of insomnia among middle-aged and elderly Black women. Sleep, 43(1): zsz208.
Rottapel, R.E., Zhou, E.S., Spadola, C.E., Clark, C.R., Kontos, E.Z., Laver, K., Chen, J.T., Redline, S., Bertisch, S.M. (2020). Adapting sleep hygiene for community interventions: A qualitative investigation of sleep hygiene behaviors among racially/ethnically diverse, low-income adults. Sleep Health: 6(2): 205-213.
Zhang, Y., Birmann, B.M., Papantoniou, K., Zhou, E.S., Erber, A.S., & Schernhammer, E.S. (2020). Rotating nightshift work and hematopoietic cancer risk in US female nurses. JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 4(2): pkz106.
Spadola, C.E., Rottapel, R.E., Zhou, E.S., Chen, J.T., Guo, N., Khalsa, S.B.S., Redline, S., & Bertisch, S.M. (2020). A sleep hygiene and yoga intervention conducted in affordable housing communities: Pilot study results and lessons for a future trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 39: 101-121.
Kim, H., Zhou, E.S., Chevalier, L., Lun, P., Davidson, R.D., Pariseau, E.M., & Long, K.A. (2020). Parental behaviors, emotions at bedtime, and sleep disturbances in children with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 45(5): 550-560.
Zhou, E.S., & Recklitis, C.J. (2020). Internet-delivered insomnia intervention improves sleep and quality of life for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 67(9): e28506.
Zhou, E.S., Michaud, A.L., Owens, J., & Recklitis, C.J. (2020). Sleep in young adult cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 16(11): 1991.
2021
Edinger, J.D., Arnedt, J.T., Bertisch, S.M., Carney, C.E., Harrington, J.J., Lichstein, K.L., Sateia, M.J., Troxel, W.M., Zhou, E.S., Kazmi, U., Heald, J.L., & Martin, J.L. (2021). Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17(2): 255-262.
Edinger, J.D., Arnedt, J.T., Bertisch, S.M., Carney, C.E., Harrington, J.J., Lichstein, K.L., Sateia, M.J., Troxel, W.M., Zhou, E.S., Kazmi, U., Heald, J.L., & Martin, J.L. (2021). Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE assessment. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 17(2): 263-298.
Ravyts, S.G., Sannes, T.S., Dzierzewski, J.M., Zhou, E.S., Brewer, B.W., Natvig, C., & Laudenslager, M.L. (2021). Check your sleep before you start: A secondary analysis of a stress management intervention for caregivers of stem cell transplant patients. Psycho-Oncology, 30(6): 936-945.
Owens, J.O., Katwa, U., Stephen, S., Chen, M., Zhou, E.S., Hopkins, B., Palomo, B., & Moore, M. (2021). Uncharted territory challenges and opportunities in pediatric sleep medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond Part I: Clinical services and teaching and training issues. Sleep Medicine, 88: 285-287.
Katwa, U., Owens, J.O., Stephen, S., Chen, M., Zhou, E.S., Hopkins, B., Palomo, B., & Moore, M. (2021). Uncharted territory challenges and opportunities in pediatric sleep medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond Part II: The sleep laboratory. Sleep Medicine, 88: 282-284.
Zhou E.S., Mazzenga, M., Gordillo, M.L., Meltzer, L.J., & Long, K.A. (2021). Sleep education and training among practicing clinical psychologists in the United States and Canada. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 18: 1-10.
2022
Zhou, E.S., Ritterband, L.M., Bethea, T.N., Robles, Y.P., Heeren, T.C., Rosenberg, L. (2022). Treating insomnia disorder in Black women: Results from an Internet-based, randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 79(6):538-549.
Chevalier, L., Michaud, A.L., Zhou, E.S., Chang, G., & Recklitis, C.J. (2022). Validation of the three-item Insomnia Severity Index Short-Form (ISI-3) in young adult cancer survivors: Comparison with a structured diagnostic interview. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
Fidler, A.L., Voorhees, S., Zhou, E.S., Stacciarini, J.M., & Fedele, D.A. (2022). A systematic review and proposed conceptual model of sleep disturbances during pediatric hospitalizations. SLEEP, 45(5): zsac038.
Yusufov, M., Recklitis, C.J., Zhou E.S., Bethea, T.N., & Rosenberg, L. (2022). A population-based psychometric analysis of the Insomnia Severity Index in Black women with and without a history of cancer. Journal of Sleep Research, 31(1):e13421.
Geiss, C.M., Chavez, M.N., Oswald, L,B,, Ketcher, D., Reblin, M., Bandera, E.V., Savard, J., Zhou, E.S., Fox, R.S., Jim, H.S.L., & Gonzalez, B.D. (2022). “I beat cancer to feel sick:” Qualitative experiences of sleep disturbance in Black breast cancer survivors and recommendations for culturally targeted sleep interventions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 56(11): 1110-1115​.
Zhou E.S., Nayak, M.M., Chai, P.R., & Braun, I.M. (2022). Cancer patient’s attitudes of using medicinal cannabis for sleep. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 40(3): 397-403.
Starling, C.M., Greenberg, D., Zhou, E.S., Lewin, D., Morrow, A.S., Lieberman, D., Shaw, C., & Arem, H. (2022). Testing delivery of components of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to breast cancer survivors by smart speaker: A study protocol. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22: 163.
Davidson, R.D., Biddle, K., Nassan, N., Scammell, T.E., & Zhou, E.S. (2022). The impact of narcolepsy on social relationships in young adults. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 18(12): 2751-2761.
Libman, H., Zhou, E.S., Heckman, E., & Smetana, G.W. (2022). How would you manage this patient with chronic insomnia? Grand Rounds discussion from Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center. Annals of Internal Medicine, 175(12): 1746-1753.
2023
Fidler, A.L., Waitt, J., Lehmann, L.E., Solet, J.M., Duffy, J.F., Gonzalez, B.D., Beebe, D.W., Fedele, D.A., & Zhou, E.S. (2023). Sleep and circadian disruptors: Unhealthy noise and light levels for hospitalized pediatric patients. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 18(11): 999-1003.
Garland, S.N., Tulk, J., Cotter, R., Zhou, E.S., Daniel, L., Schulte, F., Bender, J.L., Chalifour, K., & Eaton, G. (2023). Understanding sleep quality in a national cohort of young adults with cancer: Results from the YACPRIME study. Sleep Medicine, 109: 293-299.
Dickinson, K., Moore, H.C.F., Schmitz, J., & Zhou E.S. (2023). Sleep disorders, fatigue, and cognitive function in cancer survivors: A plenary session. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 21(5.5): 1-4.
Kutana, S., Garland, S.N., & Zhou, E.S. (2023). Digital health interventions for insomnia: Turning promise into reality. Current Sleep Medicine Reports, 9: 197-204.
Clegg-Kraynok, M., Barnovsky, L., & Zhou, E.S. (2023). Real, misreported, and backfilled adherence with paper sleep diaries. Sleep Medicine, 107: 31-35.
Zhou, E.S., Valenzuela, A.F., Robbins, R., Page, J.M., & Bona, K. (2023). Gaps in parental understanding of sleep disturbances during maintenance therapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing, 40(6): 369-378.
Zhou, E.S., Revette, A., Heckler, G.K., Worhach, J., Maski, K., & Owens, J.A. (2023). Building a deeper understanding of social relationship health in adolescents with narcolepsy disorder. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 19(3): 491-498.
Chevalier, L.L., Fine, E., Sharma, A., Zhou, E.S., & Recklitis, C.J. (2023). Evaluating the Sleep Treatment Education Program (STEP-1): A single-session educational workshop addressing insomnia in cancer survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 41(1): 123-132.
Spadola, C.E., Wagner, E., Slavish, D.C., Washburn, M., Ogeil, R.P., Burke, S.L., Grudzien, A., & Zhou E.S. (2023). Sleep and substance use: Practice considerations for social workers. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 23(1): 24-38.
Zhou, E.S., Recklitis, C.J., & Partridge, A.H. (2023). When cancer centers snooze, patients lose: It’s time to make insomnia a priority for survivors. JCO Oncology Practice.
2024
Starling, C.M., Greenberg, D., Lewin, D., Shaw, C., Zhou, E.S., Lieberman, D., Chou, J., & Arem, H. (2024). Voice-activated cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(9):e2435011.
Wang, G.Y., Worhach, J., Zhou, E.S., Strunc, M., Morse, A.M., Owens, J.A., Flygare, J., Revette, A., Meltzer, L.J., & Maski, K. (2024). Development of the pediatric narcolepsy patient-reported outcomes scale (PN-PROs). Frontiers in Sleep, 3:1379132.
Volpe, V.V., Collins, A.N., Zhou, E.S., Bernard, D.L., & Smith, N.A. (2024). Online and offline gendered racial microaggressions and sleep quality for Black women. Health Psychology.
Spadola, C.E., Groton, D., Raval, M., Hilditch, C.J., Littlewood, K., Baiden, P., Bertisch, S., & Zhou, E.S. (2024). A sleep health education intervention improves sleep knowledge in social work students. Social Sciences, 13(7): 364.
​Spadola, C.E., Groton, D.B., Cosenzo, L.G., Fantus, S., Hilditch, C.J., Burke, S.L., Littlewood, K., Bertisch, S.M., & Zhou, E.S. (2024). Sleep and sleep knowledge among social work students: Implications for mental health and self-care education. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 34(4): 536-551.
Dietch, J.R., Blok, A.C., & Zhou, E.S. (2024). Improve accessibility to evidence-based treatment for insomnia disorder. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 25: ibae006.
​Daniel, L.C., Wang, H., Brinkman, T.M., Ruble, K., Zhou, E.S., Palesh, O., Stremler, R., Howell, R., Mulrooney, D.A., Crabtree, V.M., Mostoufi-Moab, S., Oeffinger, K., Neglia, J., Yasui, Y., Armstrong, G.T., & Krull, K. (2024). Mechanisms of sleep disturbances in long-term cancer survivors: A Childhood Cancer Survivor Study report. JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 8: pkae010.
Lewin, D., Starling, C.M., Zhou, E.S., Greenberg, D., Shaw, C., & Arem, H. (2024). A novel voice interactive sleep log: Concurrent validity with actigraphy and sleep diaries. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 20(2): 309-312.
Zhou, E.S., Revette, A., Ritterband, L.M., Bethea, T.N., Delp, L., Simmons, P.D., & Rosenberg, L. (2024). Developing a culturally tailored digital health intervention for insomnia in Black women. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 14: 117-126.
Zhou, E.S., Revette, A., Waitt, J., Lehmann, L.E., Diller, L.R., Emmons, K.M., Valenzuela, A.F., & Redline, S. (2024). A nursing perspective on inpatient sleep and circadian disruptions for pediatric stem cell transplant patients. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 71(3): e30816.

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