Mobile mindfulness app to help spinal cord injury patients manage chronic pain
Official title: Effects of a Mobile App-Based Mindfulness Intervention in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury and Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11438627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A widely available mindfulness app is being tested to help people with spinal cord injury reduce chronic pain and improve mood and daily functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $780,208 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013248-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with spinal cord injury and chronic pain who can use a smartphone and consent to participate.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to smartphones or who do not want to use a mobile app may not benefit.
What this research studies
People with spinal cord injury often endure chronic pain that worsens mood, limits daily activities, and lowers quality of life. This project tests a free mobile mindfulness app in a randomized trial to see if it can ease pain and improve mental well-being for PwSCI-CP. Participants will use the app over several weeks, with regular follow-ups to track pain, mood, and daily functioning. If the app proves helpful, it could offer a low-cost, accessible option that fits into everyday life without in-person visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could access an affordable tool to reduce pain and improve overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Some feasibility work suggests feasibility and potential benefits, but large-scale efficacy data in PwSCI-CP are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Korupolu, Radha — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Korupolu, Radha
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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.