Mobile app to detect and reduce stress for family caregivers of adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand
Official title: Mobile application for early detection and intervention to reduce psychological distress in informal family caregivers of community dwelling adults with chronic disorders in Thailand
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11195266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is making a smartphone app to find early signs of stress and offer support to family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $173,865 |
| NIH project number | 4R33MH131043-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adult (21+) informal family caregivers in Thailand who live with or regularly care for community-dwelling adults with chronic illnesses and can use a smartphone.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers without smartphone access, those not comfortable with digital tools or the Thai language, or those with severe psychiatric conditions needing immediate in-person treatment are unlikely to benefit from the app.
What this research studies
Researchers are building a culturally adapted mobile app that screens caregivers for early signs of anxiety, depression, and burnout and offers short interventions and resources. They will work closely with Thai caregivers and local health workers to refine the app's content and usability. The team will pilot the app in community settings, using regular check-ins, self-help modules, and links to local care when needed. Collected symptom and user-experience data will guide improvements over the five-year project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers could get earlier help for stress and mental health problems, which may protect their well-being and improve care for their relatives.
How similar studies have gone: Mobile mental health programs have shown promise in low- and middle-income countries and for caregiver support, but culturally tailored apps specifically for Thai family caregivers remain limited and relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Hongtu — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chen, Hongtu
Related research
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Mobile app to help family caregivers manage stress in Thailand
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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.