Mobile app to help family caregivers in Thailand manage distress
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-11580924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile app called CAMMA would help family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand feel less depressed and anxious through a culturally tailored mental health support program.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $108,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R33MH131043-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11580924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Family members (caregivers) of adults with chronic disorders in Thailand who have access to a mobile device and are experiencing psychological distress.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers without access to a mobile device or who are not experiencing distress may derive limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project plans to develop and test a digital caregiver support program that fits the realities of resource-limited settings in Thailand. It will adapt an evidence-based mental health intervention into a mobile format to reach family caregivers who face stigma, privacy concerns, and limited access to providers. Over five years, researchers will create and evaluate the CAMMA app’s effectiveness and how it can be implemented in real-world settings. The study aims to generate knowledge on scalable digital caregiver support that could be adapted for similar populations in other countries, including the United States.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the CAMMA app could reduce caregiver distress and improve quality of life for family members supporting adults with chronic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Digital caregiver support programs have shown promise in other settings, supporting the potential for similar benefits with a culturally adapted Thai version.
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
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Caregiver Mental Health Mobile App (CAMMA) for family caregivers of adults with chronic disorders
A mobile app in Thailand aims to support family caregivers of adults with chronic conditions by reducing depression and anxiety through an evidence-based mental health program.
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Phone app to spot and support emotional distress in family caregivers
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Mobile app to detect and reduce stress for family caregivers of adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand
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.
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Online compassion meditation for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers
This project offers an online compassion meditation program for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers to help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression after treatment.
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Mobile app to help family caregivers manage stress in Thailand
This study is creating a helpful mobile app for family caregivers in Thailand who look after adults with long-term health issues, making it easier for them to spot and manage stress and mental health challenges, so they can feel better and provide better care for their loved ones.
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.