Smartphone training for Alzheimer's caregivers

Biobehavioral mechanisms of smartphone-based cognitive emotion regulation training for unpaid primary caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's Disease

NIH-funded research Rice University · NIH-11135487

This project offers smartphone-based training to help unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease manage their emotions and reduce stress.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRice University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11135487 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be very challenging, often leading to significant stress and depression for caregivers. This project explores a new, easy-to-use smartphone program designed to teach caregivers skills for managing their emotions, specifically focusing on cognitive reappraisal. The goal is to help caregivers feel less stressed, reduce their burden, and improve their overall mental well-being. Researchers also want to see if this support for caregivers can positively affect the quality of life for the person with Alzheimer's.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This opportunity is for unpaid primary caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who are 21 years or older.

Not a fit: Patients themselves would not directly participate in this specific training, though they might experience indirect benefits from their caregiver's improved well-being.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could offer a convenient and effective way for caregivers to cope with the demands of caregiving, leading to better mental health for them and potentially improved well-being for those they care for.

How similar studies have performed: While other caregiver interventions exist, this project tests a novel, entirely smartphone-based approach to cognitive emotion regulation that is designed to be brief and highly scalable.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.