Self-guided mobile mindfulness for emotional recovery after ICU
Official title: 1/2 Self-directed mobile mindfulness to address ICU survivors' psychological distress: the Lift RCT
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11040055 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A self-guided mindfulness app called Lift that helps adults recovering from serious breathing or heart illnesses reduce depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 23, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $991,295 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3AT013109-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040055 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults recently hospitalized for serious cardiorespiratory conditions (such as ARDS, severe COVID pneumonia, sepsis, or heart failure) who have ongoing depression, anxiety, or PTSD symptoms are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without ongoing emotional symptoms, those who prefer or require in-person mental health care, or those without a smartphone or ability to use the app may not receive benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
You would use the Lift app on your phone to follow a self-directed mindfulness program developed with input from ICU survivors. The program is fully automated and delivers daily sessions, tools for in-the-moment symptom management, and reminders to encourage regular practice. Earlier pilot and optimization trials showed the high-dose, app-only version had the best effects and adherence. This multicenter trial will enroll patients recently hospitalized with serious cardiorespiratory illness and follow symptoms and quality of life over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give ICU survivors an easy-to-use, widely available way to reduce depression, anxiety, and PTSD and improve overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot and a larger multicenter factorial trial showed Lift reduced depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, and the high-dose app-only version was optimized for effect, adherence, and retention.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Christopher Ethan — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Cox, Christopher Ethan
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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.