A program to help people with ALS and their caregivers cope better together
Official title: Resilient Together-ALS (RT-ALS): A dyadic mind-body meaning intervention for people with ALS and their informal care-partners
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11054260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new program called 'Resilient Together-ALS' to help people with ALS and their caregivers cope with emotional stress, making life a little easier and more fulfilling for everyone involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $170,604 |
| NIH project number | 1K23AT012788-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with ALS and their informal caregivers who are experiencing emotional distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with ALS or those who do not have a caregiver may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a new intervention called 'Resilient Together-ALS' (RT-ALS) aimed at helping individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and their informal caregivers manage emotional distress. The approach involves conducting interviews and focus groups to gather insights on the needs and preferences of patients and caregivers, followed by a pilot program to assess the intervention's feasibility and acceptability. By addressing emotional challenges early in the disease process, the program seeks to enhance resilience and improve quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide effective strategies for reducing emotional distress in ALS patients and their caregivers, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: While interventions addressing emotional distress in ALS dyads are limited, similar mind-body approaches have shown promise in other chronic illness contexts, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rush, Christina — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rush, Christina
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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.