A program to help manage pain and symptoms in children with cancer

Innovative Pain and Symptom Management Program for Children with Cancer

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-10434799

This study is testing a helpful program called Pain Buddy that aims to make it easier for kids with cancer to manage their pain and symptoms when they move from the hospital to home, by using a website to track their feelings and teach them skills to cope better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-10434799 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving pain and symptom management for children diagnosed with cancer. It addresses the challenges faced during the transition to outpatient care, where systematic assessment of symptoms is often lacking. The program, called Pain Buddy, utilizes a web-based platform that collects real-time symptom data reported by children and alerts healthcare providers to significant issues. Additionally, it teaches children effective cognitive and behavioral skills to manage their pain more effectively.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are undergoing treatment for cancer and experiencing distressing symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently undergoing cancer treatment or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the quality of life for children with cancer by providing better pain and symptom management.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot trials have shown positive effects of similar approaches in managing pain and symptoms in pediatric cancer patients.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.