Understanding how to help patients with COPD and their caregivers manage psychological distress
Official title: Leveraging the dyad: mechanisms of an intervention for psychological distress in chronic lung disease
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10933390 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects both patients and their caregivers, and it offers a friendly program called Coping Skills Training to help them learn ways to handle stress and feel better together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $792,484 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020819-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933390 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with COPD and their family caregivers who are actively involved in their care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with COPD who do not have a caregiver or those who are not experiencing psychological distress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the psychological distress experienced by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their caregivers. It aims to improve their well-being through a program called Coping Skills Training (CST), which consists of 12 weekly sessions delivered remotely. During these sessions, both patients and caregivers learn coping strategies tailored to the challenges of living with COPD, focusing on enhancing their ability to manage stress and improve their overall quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the mental health and quality of life for patients with COPD and their caregivers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions targeting both patients and caregivers can effectively improve health outcomes, suggesting this approach may be beneficial.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hart, Joanna Lee — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Hart, Joanna Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mobile app to help family caregivers in Thailand manage distress
A mobile app called CAMMA would help family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand feel less depressed and anxious through a culturally tailored mental health support program.
-
Caregiver Mental Health Mobile App (CAMMA) for family caregivers of adults with chronic disorders
A mobile app in Thailand aims to support family caregivers of adults with chronic conditions by reducing depression and anxiety through an evidence-based mental health program.
-
Phone app to spot and support emotional distress in family caregivers
Researchers are creating a Thai-language phone app to help family members who care for adults with chronic illnesses notice early stress and get brief mental-health support.
-
Including informal caregivers in a video-based meditation to ease distress for breast cancer survivors
A caregiver-inclusive online compassion-meditation program is being tested to help breast cancer survivors feel less anxiety and depression.
-
Coping skills program to help COPD patients and caregivers feel better together
A COPD-focused program tests whether teaching coping skills to patients and their caregivers reduces stress, anxiety, and distress over 12 weekly remote sessions.
-
Mindfulness app to support youth in the legal system
A multi-site, youth-focused trial tests a mindfulness meditation smartphone app to boost wellbeing and reduce distress for young people on probation.
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.