Mobile program to support whole-person health after a cancer diagnosis
Changing Mindsets to Improve Whole Patient Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel mHealth Intervention for People Diagnosed with Cancer
This smartphone program helps people with cancer shift unhelpful mindsets to reduce anxiety, fatigue, and improve overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241155 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use a mobile app that teaches mindset skills aimed at improving emotional and physical well-being after a cancer diagnosis. Participants are randomly assigned to the mindset app or a comparison condition and complete symptom and quality-of-life measures over time. The trial focuses on common cancer-related problems like anxiety, sleep trouble, fatigue, and pain and tracks how these change with the program. The goal is a scalable, easy-to-use intervention people can access while receiving cancer treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with cancer who are receiving treatment (for example chemotherapy) and are willing to use a smartphone-based program are the best fit.
Not a fit: People without smartphone access, with severe cognitive impairment, or whose needs require immediate medical or palliative intervention may not benefit from this type of mindset app.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce emotional distress and symptom burden and improve daily functioning through a convenient app.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional therapies like CBT and mindfulness have helped cancer patients, and early digital mindset interventions show promising but limited evidence for improving well-being.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crum, Alia — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Crum, Alia
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 below.