Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to boost resilience and function after stem cell transplant
Official title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Psychological Resilience and Physical Function in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11337293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program tests whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people who had an allogeneic stem cell transplant feel better and stay more active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $667,933 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA311041-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11337293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) who have received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and are navigating treatment-related challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not respond to ACT or may have barriers to engaging in therapy.
What this research studies
This grant explores using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help adults who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant cope with treatment-related stress, maintain physical activity, and improve daily functioning. The study will adapt a CBT-based ACT approach to address fatigue, discomfort, and distress during cancer treatment, with the goal of increasing psychological flexibility and engagement in valued activities. Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center will involve participants in a structured program that combines therapy sessions with practical strategies to stay active and connected to what matters most. Outcomes will focus on quality of life, physical functioning, and symptom interference to guide future care after transplant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better mood, more energy, and greater ability to stay active during and after transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Prior ACT-based approaches have shown benefits in reducing distress in various cancer populations, with promising signals in transplant-related settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sung, Anthony — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sung, Anthony
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
-
Understanding how neurons resist and recover from toxic chemicals
Researchers are studying how brain cells fight back against harmful chemicals to help people survive exposure.
-
Mobile app to help family caregivers in Thailand manage distress
A mobile app called CAMMA would help family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand feel less depressed and anxious through a culturally tailored mental health support program.
-
Fostering Community Connections to Strengthen Youth Resilience and Well-Being
A Hawaii-based effort helps teens and young adults get mental health and preventive care more easily by building local networks and smart referral pathways.
-
Indigenous healthy homes and communities to improve health and resilience
A community-led effort in Indigenous communities in the US Southwest aims to improve housing and health, focusing on safer homes, cleaner indoor environments, and access to culturally competent care.
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.