Developing a mobile app to help young cancer survivors manage depression
Official title: iManageAYA: Preparation and Optimization of a mHealth Intervention for Managing Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent and Young adult Cancer Survivors
Funded at East Carolina University · NIH-10930145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mobile app that helps young people who have survived cancer manage feelings of sadness, making it easier for them to find support and resources whenever they need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Carolina University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greenville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $132,880 |
| NIH project number | 5R00CA248701-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent and young adult individuals aged 15-39 who have survived cancer and are experiencing depressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not cancer survivors or those who do not experience depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a mobile health application designed specifically for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors to help them manage depressive symptoms. Given the unique challenges faced by this population, including disruptions to their education and personal lives, the app will provide on-demand support and resources tailored to their needs. The approach utilizes the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework to ensure the app is effective and user-friendly. By addressing barriers to traditional in-person interventions, this project aims to improve mental health outcomes for young cancer survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the mental health and quality of life for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using mobile health interventions for mental health management, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
East Carolina University
Greenville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murphy, Karly Mary — East Carolina University
- Study coordinator: Murphy, Karly Mary
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.
-
iManageAYA: a smartphone program to help young cancer survivors with depressive symptoms
This project will create and refine a mobile app to help adolescent and young adult cancer survivors manage depressive symptoms on-demand.
-
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.
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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.
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Social connections and quality of life for kids who survived brain cancer
This project follows pediatric brain cancer survivors as they grow into adults to understand how their social connections affect their happiness and mental well-being.
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Nutrition and exercise plan to help overweight cancer survivors, using multi-omics to tailor care
A cancer survivorship program combines a tailored diet and exercise plan with multi-omics data to personalize care for adults with overweight or obesity.
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.