New treatment approach for children's abdominal pain disorders
Official title: A New Paradigm for Treating Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10584464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a friendly mobile app that helps kids with tummy pain feel better through guided imagery, and we're looking for input from children and their families to make it even better!
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 18, 2019 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $183,905 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK120928-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10584464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-21 who experience functional abdominal pain disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with abdominal pain disorders that are not functional or those who do not have access to mobile technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a mobile application that delivers guided imagery therapy to children suffering from functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs). The project aims to refine the app's design and content based on feedback from patients, caregivers, and experts. By utilizing technology, the research seeks to make effective psychological interventions more accessible to children who often face barriers to treatment. The goal is to improve the management of abdominal pain and associated psychosocial issues in pediatric patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide children with effective, accessible treatment options for managing abdominal pain and related anxiety.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mobile health technologies for psychological interventions, indicating potential success for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollier, John M — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Hollier, John M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving ultrasound use for diagnosing abdominal pain in rural children
This project tests ways to bring affordable, radiation-free ultrasound to kids with belly pain in rural areas.
-
Circadian rhythms and abdominal pain in teens
Teens with functional abdominal pain may have a body clock timing issue, and this study looks at how circadian phase relates to their pain and daily functioning.
-
Online parent program to help prevent tummy pain in young children
An internet-based program for parents with IBS that teaches ways to lower their 4–6 year-old children's risk of developing tummy pain and related worry.
-
Internet-based intervention to help young children at risk for abdominal pain
This study is testing a helpful online program for parents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to see if it can reduce tummy aches in their young kids aged 4-6 by teaching parents ways to manage stress and model healthier habits.
-
Understanding sleep patterns in adolescents with abdominal pain disorders
This study is looking at how sleep patterns impact teenagers with tummy pain and whether a special treatment called PENFS can help them sleep better and feel less pain.
-
Home-based electrical stimulation for abdominal pain relief
This study is testing a gentle, needle-free method called transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) to help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manage their abdominal pain more easily at home or work, and it will also include a handy app to help track treatment progress.
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.