Music-based programs to lower blood pressure and prevent stroke
Official title: Innovative Tools to Expand Music-Inspired Strategies for Blood Pressure and Stroke Prevention (I-TEST BP/Stroke)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11418284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using locally created music campaigns to help Nigerian youth and their older caregivers lower blood pressure and reduce stroke risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,750 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL168766-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Nigerian youth paired with their older adult caregivers, especially those at risk for high blood pressure or with family history of stroke, who can take part in community music activities.
✕Less likely to help
People who live outside the target communities or who need immediate medical treatment for severe hypertension may not directly benefit from the music campaigns.
What this research studies
You and an older caregiver (like a parent or grandparent) would help create and vote on local music campaigns using crowdsourcing. Those songs and performances would be used to share blood-pressure and stroke-prevention messages tailored to your community. The team will pilot the music-based campaigns in Nigerian communities, collect feedback, and track changes in blood-pressure-related behaviors and measurements. Participation may include attending music events, contributing ideas, and getting occasional blood pressure checks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make blood-pressure control more engaging and accessible, helping lower future stroke risk for participants and their families.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials have shown music and culturally tailored interventions can improve blood pressure and engagement, but using crowdsourced youth-caregiver music campaigns in Nigeria is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iwelunmor, Juliet — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Iwelunmor, Juliet
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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.