SHIFT: A Digital App for Stem Cell Transplant Survivors
Official title: Title: Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Digital Application (SHIFT) to Improve Outcomes for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11140514 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is testing a new digital app called SHIFT to help people who have had a stem cell transplant improve their sexual health, quality of life, and overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $583,190 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA295109-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140514 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this opportunity are individuals who have undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplant and are experiencing sexual health concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a stem cell transplant or who are not experiencing sexual health concerns may not find this particular opportunity beneficial.
What this research studies
Many people who have had a stem cell transplant experience challenges with their sexual health, which can also affect their quality of life and emotional well-being. It can be hard to find expert help for these concerns, as specialized clinicians are not always available. This project is developing and testing a new digital app, called SHIFT, designed specifically for stem cell transplant survivors. SHIFT offers a self-guided program with five modules to help you address these unique challenges and feel more empowered.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this app could provide an accessible and effective way for stem cell transplant survivors to improve their sexual health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Interventions specifically designed to improve sexual health outcomes for stem cell transplant survivors are currently limited, making this digital app a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Jawahri, Areej — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: El-Jawahri, Areej
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Step Up: A blended coaching program to help stem cell transplant patients be active
A walking-and-skills program using coaching and a mobile app helps stem cell transplant patients cope with symptoms so they can be more active.
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SHIFT: A digital tool to help stem cell transplant survivors feel better sexually and emotionally
A new digital app called SHIFT will be tested to help hematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors improve sexual health, quality of life, and psychological well-being.
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Hybrid app plus coaching to help stem cell transplant patients manage symptoms and stay active
This program uses a brief in-person visit, video coaching, and a smartphone app to help people who had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant manage fatigue, pain, and distress so they can safely increase daily activity.
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A digital app to improve sexual health for stem cell transplant survivors
This study is testing a new app called SHIFT to help people who have had stem cell transplants improve their sexual health and overall well-being, making it easier for them to manage common issues like sexual dysfunction.
-
Improving symptom management and physical activity for stem cell transplant patients
This study is testing a new program called Step Up to help people who have had a stem cell transplant feel better and get moving again by combining in-person support and mobile health tools, so they can better manage symptoms like fatigue and pain.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
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.