Music Therapy and Mindfulness for Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Official title: eHealth Supported Mindfulness-based Music Therapy Intervention (eMBMT) in Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11347362 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how an online program combining music therapy and mindfulness can help patients feel better after a stem cell transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami Coral Gables NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $437,201 |
| NIH project number | 4R33CA263335-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347362 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients undergoing or recovering from an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant who are experiencing physical or psychological side effects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing or recovering from an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant would not be the focus of this particular program.
What this research studies
Patients who receive a stem cell transplant often experience difficult physical and emotional side effects like fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression, which can affect their quality of life. This program aims to offer a new way to manage these challenges by blending mindfulness techniques with personalized music activities, such as songwriting or playing instruments. The therapy is delivered by a trained music therapist through an easy-to-use online platform. We hope this approach will help patients feel more comfortable and improve their overall well-being during their recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could provide a convenient and effective way for stem cell transplant patients to reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by this team has shown that mindfulness-based music therapy can reduce negative mood, fatigue, and anxiety in breast cancer survivors, and eHealth platforms can effectively deliver such programs.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami Coral Gables
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Penedo, Frank J — University of Miami Coral Gables
- Study coordinator: Penedo, Frank J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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eHealth Mindfulness-based Music Therapy for stem cell transplant patients
A remote mindfulness-based music therapy program delivered online to people who have had an allogeneic stem cell transplant, aimed at reducing distress and improving quality of life.
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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.
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Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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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.
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Mindfulness-based Support for Pain and Sleep in Young People with Sickle Cell Disease
A digital mindfulness program is being tailored for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease to help with pain and sleep and is being tested for practicality and early effectiveness.
-
Mindfulness training to lower cardiovascular risk for moms and babies during pregnancy
A mindfulness program is being tested during pregnancy to help prevent high blood pressure and heart problems for mothers and their babies.
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.