Digital mental health support for older adults at home with depression
Official title: Community-Embedded, Layperson-Supported Digital Mental Health Intervention for Homebound Older Adults with Depression: A Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation RCT
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11127713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful online program called Empower@Home that aims to support older adults who are stuck at home and feeling depressed, by using videos and therapy techniques to improve their mental health with the help of local service providers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $601,345 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137064-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127713 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are homebound and experiencing symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not homebound or do not have access to digital technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a digital mental health intervention designed specifically for homebound older adults suffering from depression. It utilizes aging service providers to help these individuals access and effectively use digital tools aimed at improving their mental health. The intervention, called Empower@Home, incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy principles and engaging storytelling through videos to enhance user experience and adherence. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention compared to standard care and identify factors that influence its implementation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mental health outcomes for homebound older adults by providing them with accessible and effective digital support.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary research has shown that similar digital mental health interventions can be effective, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiang, Xiaoling — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Xiang, Xiaoling
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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.