Mobile health tool to help Veterans with PTSD and depression improve daily functioning
Official title: A Mobile Health Intervention to Improve Psychosocial Functioning in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms
Funded at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-11435438 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A self-guided mobile app built on STAIR therapy is being adapted to help Veterans manage PTSD and depression in everyday life, with real-time checks on functioning and symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2025 |
| Project end | September 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX005318-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435438 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with comorbid PTSD and depression who can use a mobile app and participate in design and testing activities.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans who do not use mobile apps or are not interested in digital self-management may receive limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt a self-guided STAIR Coach app for Veterans with PTSD and depression to improve daily functioning, using real-time assessments and passive data to tailor support. The app will be designed for ease of use without requiring frequent visits to clinicians, making mental health care more accessible. Through user-centered design, veterans will provide feedback during development to ensure the tool fits real-world needs and preferences. The goal is to complement existing care by targeting everyday functioning, not just symptoms, and to empower users to monitor and improve their day-to-day lives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans could experience better everyday functioning and symptom relief through a convenient, self-guided digital tool.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mobile health adaptations of evidence-based therapies show promise, but real-time functioning monitoring is an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hallenbeck, Haijing Wu — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Hallenbeck, Haijing Wu
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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.