Mobile program to boost exercise and mindfulness for young cancer survivors

Optimization of a mHealth Physical Activity Promotion Intervention with Mindful Awareness for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

NIH-funded research Northwestern University · NIH-11141918

A mobile program uses social support and mindfulness to help adolescent and young adult cancer survivors increase weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11141918 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would use a smartphone app and wear an activity tracker while researchers test different program pieces to see what helps you move more. The program combines electronic delivery, social support features, and brief mindfulness training so you can build activity into daily life. Study staff will collect activity data from the tracker and short surveys about mood and side effects to compare which combinations work best. The goal is to find a simple, scalable setup that fits young survivors' lives.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adolescents and young adults (roughly ages 15–39) who are cancer survivors, are in follow-up or survivorship, and want support to increase physical activity are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who cannot use a smartphone, have medical restrictions that prevent increased physical activity, or require supervised rehabilitation may not benefit from this mobile program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help adolescent and young adult cancer survivors get more regular exercise, improve quality of life, and reduce long-term treatment-related health risks.

How similar studies have performed: Previous exercise and mHealth programs and mindfulness or social-support approaches have shown promise in cancer survivors, but few studies have focused specifically on adolescent and young adult survivors or isolated which program parts work best.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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 Adolescent and young adult cancer patientsAdolescent and young adult cancer populationAdolescent and young adults with cancerAmerican Cancer Society
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.