An app to help adults with sickle cell disease manage stress and pain
Official title: A Stress and Pain Self-management m-Health App for Adult Outpatients with Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10865122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mobile app called You Cope, We Support, which is designed to help adults with sickle cell disease manage their pain and stress without relying too much on opioids, and you'll either use the app or get regular support to see which works better for you over the next few months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $464,843 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR018848-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with sickle cell disease or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a mobile health app called You Cope, We Support (YCWS) aimed at helping adults with sickle cell disease manage their pain and stress levels. The app incorporates relaxation and distraction exercises to reduce reliance on opioids for pain management. Participants will be involved in a randomized controlled trial, where they will either use the app or receive standard self-monitoring support. The study will track pain intensity, stress levels, and opioid use over an 8-week period, with follow-ups for up to 6 months.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-opioid method for managing pain and stress in patients with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using mobile health interventions for chronic pain management, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ezenwa, Miriam Omelebele — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Ezenwa, Miriam Omelebele
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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.