A family-friendly approach to help teens with SCD manage their health
Official title: A socio-ecological approach for improving self-management in adolescents with SCD
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11377309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A teen-focused program uses group therapy plus a mobile app to help adolescents with sickle cell disease manage their care and reduce painful episodes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $643,900 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020781-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and young adults aged roughly 12–20 with sickle cell disease who have access to a smartphone and can participate in group sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to the required technology or those who cannot participate in group sessions may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project targets adolescents and young adults with SCD, using a socioecological framework to develop SCThrive, a self-management intervention that blends therapist-led group sessions with a companion mobile app. The team conducted pilot work showing improvements in activation, self-management behaviors, and engagement with the app, especially among those who used it more consistently. The study emphasizes accessibility, adherence, and timely access to care to prevent complications during adolescence and beyond. Participants would engage with the app, join group sessions, and work with clinicians to build skills for managing pain, appointments, and medication adherence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help teens with SCD manage symptoms better, stay adherent to care plans, and reduce acute care needs.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary results from pilot work indicated improvements in patient activation and self-management behaviors with higher app use.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crosby, Lori E — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Crosby, Lori E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.