sipIT digital support to help people with kidney stones drink more
Official title: Efficacy of sipIT Intervention for Increasing Urine Output in Patients with Urolithiasis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11141318 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers a phone-based sipIT tool to help people with kidney stones drink enough fluid to reach about 2.5 liters of urine per day.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $474,828 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK124469-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141318 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of kidney stones who are willing to use a smartphone app and follow instructions for tracking fluid intake or urine output are the best fit.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of kidney stones, those who cannot or will not use a smartphone app, or patients with medical fluid restrictions (for example advanced heart failure or dialysis) may not benefit.
What this research studies
I would use a smartphone app called sipIT that gives timely reminders and support to help me drink fluids during the day. The app was designed with input from people who have had kidney stones and adapts its prompts to my daily routine and context. In the research, participants will use the app while the team tracks urine output and adherence over time to see if the tool helps people meet urine-volume goals. The team has already done several small studies and will enroll more participants to test the approach more broadly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, sipIT could help people maintain higher urine output and reduce painful, costly recurrences of kidney stones.
How similar studies have gone: Small preliminary studies and other digital reminder programs have shown promise for improving fluid intake, but larger trials are still needed to confirm benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conroy, David E. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Conroy, David E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Increasing urine output in patients with kidney stones using a digital tool.
This study is testing a helpful app called sipIT that reminds people with kidney stones to drink more fluids, making it easier for them to stay hydrated and prevent future stones.
-
Understanding the causes of excess acid in kidney stones
This study is looking into how gut bacteria and liver health might cause uric acid kidney stones, which are becoming more common, especially in people with obesity and diabetes, to help find better treatments for those who suffer from them.
-
Acupressure to Ease Pain During ESWL for Kidney Stones
This study tests whether applying acupressure to specific points before ESWL can reduce pain and improve comfort for adults with kidney or proximal ureteral stones.
-
Audio consent with human voice or AI-voice added to written consent for ureteroscopy
This study tests if listening to an audio version of the consent form, read by a real urologist or by an AI-cloned voice, helps adults in Turkey understand their ureteroscopy or RIRS consent better than the written form alone.
-
Norepinephrine irrigation to help stop bleeding during flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy
This study tests whether a norepinephrine-powered irrigation solution can help control bleeding during flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for upper urinary tract stones in adults.
-
Long-term safety of UAS-assisted vs sheathless RIRS in adults with kidney stones
This study tests whether using a ureteral access sheath during the initial RIRS affects long-term safety and outcomes in adults with kidney stones ≤20 mm.
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.