A mobile program to help older adults manage pain and improve health.
Official title: A Mobile Health Behavior Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health-III (MORPH-III)
Funded at Wake Forest University · NIH-10978931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is designed for older adults with knee or hip pain from osteoarthritis, and it aims to help them feel better by encouraging more movement and healthier eating habits over six months, all while providing support in a friendly group setting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,308,635 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG082777-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who experience chronic knee or hip pain and are classified as low-active or obese.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or those who are already highly active may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping older adults who suffer from chronic pain, particularly those with knee or hip osteoarthritis. It involves a remote group intervention that encourages participants to increase their physical activity and lose weight through a combination of dietary changes and daily movement. The program aims to improve participants' daily step counts, reduce pain interference, and enhance overall quality of life over a six-month period, with follow-up assessments to evaluate long-term behavior changes. Participants will be guided through this process using social cognitive and self-determination theories to foster motivation and engagement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for older adults by reducing chronic pain and promoting healthier lifestyles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot trials have shown promising results in terms of feasibility and acceptability, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fanning, Jason — Wake Forest University
- Study coordinator: Fanning, Jason
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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.