Improving mental health treatment for older adults with cancer through telehealth

A telehealth intervention to improve initiation of mental health treatment among depressed older adults with cancer

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10425023

This study is looking to help older adults with cancer who are feeling depressed by adapting a helpful online support program to better meet their needs, so they can start getting the mental health care they deserve.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10425023 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on helping older adults with cancer who are experiencing depression to start receiving mental health treatment. It aims to modify an existing telehealth intervention called Open Door, which has been effective for homebound older adults, to better suit the needs of older adults with cancer. The study will evaluate how feasible and acceptable this modified intervention is for patients and will test its effectiveness in increasing the initiation of mental health treatment among this population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with cancer who are experiencing depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing depression or who do not have a cancer diagnosis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to mental health treatment for older adults with cancer, enhancing their overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar telehealth interventions for mental health treatment in older adults, indicating potential for this approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.