Adapting a Digital Pain Coach for Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Official title: Adapting painTRAINER: A Digital Intervention for Enhancing Pain Management in Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11290556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A web-based pain management program originally designed for older adults will be adapted and tested to help young adult cancer survivors manage chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $962,119 |
| NIH project number | 1R34CA300995-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are cancer survivors, including those 65 and older, who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals with different pain experiences or preferences may not benefit if digital tools are not suitable for them.
What this research studies
This project will tailor an existing digital pain intervention (painTRAINER) to fit the needs and tech preferences of young adult cancer survivors. Researchers will pilot the adapted program to see if it improves pain management and quality of life in this group. The study will focus on user-friendly content, engagement strategies, and accessibility to reach YA survivors who have completed treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, young adult cancer survivors could have a scalable, non-drug tool to better control chronic pain and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: PainTRAINER has shown benefits in adults; adapting it for a younger cancer-survivor population is promising but requires validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Psihogios, Alexandra — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Psihogios, Alexandra
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cancer Pain Management for Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors with Depressive Symptoms
A technology-based program helps Asian American breast cancer survivors with depressive symptoms manage chronic pain more effectively from home using a web app and mobile tools.
-
Tech-based pain support for Asian American breast cancer survivors
This project is building an easy-to-use web and mobile program to help Asian American breast cancer survivors with chronic pain and depression get personalized information and coaching.
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Improving pain management for older cancer survivors
This study is looking to improve pain management for older adults who have survived cancer by understanding the different types of pain they experience and how to best tailor medications for them, so healthcare providers can make better treatment choices.
-
Improving pain management for Asian American breast cancer survivors using technology
This study is creating a helpful web app for Asian American breast cancer survivors to make it easier for them to manage their pain while considering their cultural needs and any feelings of depression they might have.
-
Telehealth exercise program to help rural breast cancer survivors fight fatigue
A telehealth exercise program is being tested to reduce cancer-related fatigue in rural breast cancer survivors.
-
Understanding how survivorship care plans affect health outcomes for cancer survivors
A study will look at whether survivorship care plans help reduce deaths and improve health for adults who have survived cancer.
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.