Mosaic: A digital on-demand peer stories and education for stem cell transplant patients
Official title: Mosaic: RCT of a Digital Health Intervention Delivering Peer Support Narratives and Psychoeducation to English- and Spanish-Speaking Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11399927 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A digital program delivers peer stories and practical education in English and Spanish to people undergoing stem cell transplant to help reduce distress and support recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,061,816 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA292116-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399927 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults preparing for or recently undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who speak English or Spanish and want peer-based education and support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who prefer traditional provider-focused education only or do not engage with digital peer content may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project provides a two-arm randomized trial of a digital platform that shares survivor-written narratives plus psychoeducation to stem cell transplant patients. It aims to reduce distress, improve symptom management, and help patients feel prepared for transplant and post-transplant care. Participants will access a bilingual website (English and Spanish) with peer stories and structured information to support coping, decision making, and adherence to post-transplant guidelines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lessen distress and improve information, coping, and adherence for stem cell transplant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests peer support and patient narratives can reduce distress and improve information access in cancer care, with ongoing evaluation in SCT patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Psihogios, Alexandra — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Psihogios, Alexandra
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mosaic: peer stories and recovery education for stem cell transplant patients
This project offers a bilingual website of survivor stories and easy-to-use education for English- and Spanish-speaking stem cell transplant patients to help with recovery, emotions, and following care instructions.
-
Digital health support for stem cell transplant patients
This study is all about helping people who have had stem cell transplants by connecting them with others who have been through the same experience, using a friendly online platform that shares real stories and tips in English and Spanish to make recovery a little easier and less lonely.
-
Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
-
Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
-
Digital tool to reduce HIV-related stigma in Nepal HIV care centers
A user-friendly digital tool helps clinics measure and reduce stigma related to HIV, mental health, and other factors to improve care for people living with HIV.
-
Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
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.