Boston ARCH: reducing alcohol harms, pain, and inactivity in people with HIV
Boston Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS - Comorbidity Center (Boston ARCH CC)
This project uses randomized trials to try e-health and clinic programs that help people living with HIV drink less, manage chronic pain, and become more physically active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will run two randomized trials that test scalable approaches—including remote e-health interventions and clinic-delivered programs—targeting unhealthy alcohol use, chronic pain, and low physical activity among people living with HIV. The work builds on the existing Boston ARCH cohort and will enroll new participants while also using previously collected data for secondary analyses. An Administrative Core coordinates the project and a Biostatistics and Data Management Core handles data collection, management, and analysis. The aim is to develop practical interventions that can be delivered broadly in clinical and community settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who report unhealthy alcohol use and who experience chronic pain or low levels of physical activity are the ideal candidates for these trials.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those who do not drink or who have no pain or activity problems, and individuals with medical or psychiatric conditions that prevent safe participation are unlikely to benefit from enrolling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these programs could reduce harmful drinking, lessen chronic pain, increase activity, and improve overall physical and mental function for people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Previous Boston ARCH work and other trials of brief and e-health alcohol interventions show promise, but combining alcohol reduction with targeted pain and activity interventions in people with HIV is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Michael D — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Stein, Michael D
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 below.