Dyadic approach to reduce stress and loneliness in breast cancer survivors and families
Official title: Developing a dyadic intervention to alleviate stress, loneliness, and social isolation among breast cancer survivors and families.
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11314527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A family-focused program helps breast cancer survivors and their caregivers cope with stress and isolation using a web-based, collaborative approach.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 7, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $179,988 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA292256-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11314527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Breast cancer survivors and their primary family caregivers who are experiencing stress, loneliness, or social isolation and are willing to use web-based coping tools.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to web-based tools or with severely limited internet access may receive less or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt a web-based self-care program for breast cancer survivors and their family caregivers to reduce stress and loneliness and improve self-management. It focuses on how beliefs about health, stigma, and caregiving roles influence psychosocial burden and uses a dyadic intervention to address both members of the pair. The team will establish proof of concept for the adapted program in the target population, demonstrating feasibility and potential impact on daily self-care behaviors. The study will build on a previously developed multicomponent behavioral program customized for chronic conditions and tailored to survivors and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could lessen stress and loneliness for survivors and caregivers and support better day-to-day self-management of health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with dyadic behavioral programs for health conditions suggests promise, but application to breast cancer survivorship and diverse families remains an area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trivedi, Ranak — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Trivedi, Ranak
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Acupuncture for psychic and neural symptoms in breast cancer survivors
A study tests whether acupuncture helps improve joint pain, fatigue, and sleep problems in breast cancer survivors who are on endocrine therapy.
-
Digital tool to help breast cancer survivors stick to hormone therapy
A patient-friendly digital program is being developed to help women with breast cancer take their prescribed hormone therapy more consistently.
-
Fit2ThriveMIND: An at-home program to boost activity with mindfulness for breast cancer survivors
A mobile-based program helps breast cancer survivors add more physical activity through mindful lessons and social support.
-
TOPS for Breast Cancer Survivors: a weight loss program retooled for people living with breast cancer
A Duke-led program is testing a structured weight‑loss plan tailored for breast cancer survivors to help them lose weight and reduce heart disease risk.
-
How heat waves and air pollution affect heart and lung health after breast cancer treatment
This project looks at whether heat events and poor air quality make heart and lung problems more likely for people who survived breast cancer.
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.