Adapting Do More, Feel Better to support older people living with HIV
Official title: Adapting the "Do More, Feel Better" intervention for older people living with HIV
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11327157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A peer-led, activity-focused program called Do More, Feel Better will be offered to older adults with HIV to help reduce depression and increase social activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 7, 2026 |
| Project end | May 6, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $699,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH143573-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 50 or older living with HIV who are experiencing depressive symptoms and have limited access to professional behavioral health services, especially those receiving Ryan White program support.
✕Less likely to help
People with severe, uncontrolled psychiatric disorders, active suicidal intent, significant cognitive impairment, or who need intensive clinical care may not benefit from this lay-delivered program and may require specialist treatment.
What this research studies
If you join, a trained peer (someone with similar life experience) would work with you to plan enjoyable, meaningful activities and gently re-engage you in daily life. The program uses a simplified version of behavioral activation that non-clinical staff can deliver after short training. The team will adapt the program content to reflect issues older people with HIV face, and partner with local Ryan White providers to reach people who have limited access to counselors. Your mood, activity levels, and engagement with health services would be tracked over time to see how the adapted program works.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower depressive symptoms, reduce isolation, and help older people with HIV stay more connected to support and medical care.
How similar studies have gone: Lay-delivered behavioral activation programs, including the original Do More, Feel Better in senior centers, have reduced depression in older adults, but adapting this approach specifically for older people with HIV is a new application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Susan Marie — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Graham, Susan Marie
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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.