Using a digital health platform to provide mindfulness training for stress management in racial and ethnic populations during COVID-19

Digital health platform (DHP) to deliver Mindfulness as a Stress Management Intervention Leveraging Electronic (SMILE) health records for racial and ethnic populations during the COVID-19 pandemic

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11074100

This study is testing a mobile app that offers mindfulness programs to help Black and Latino individuals manage stress and improve their mental health after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11074100 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop and evaluate a digital health platform that delivers mindfulness-based stress reduction programs specifically designed for Black and Latino individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By integrating electronic health records and wearable technology, the study will assess the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing stress and improving mental health outcomes. Participants will engage with a mobile health app that tracks their physiological responses and self-reported mental health metrics, providing a comprehensive approach to stress management. The goal is to create a sustainable model that can be scaled to address health disparities in these populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black and Latino individuals experiencing heightened stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and facing barriers to accessing traditional health services.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or Latino or those who are not experiencing stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve stress management and mental health outcomes for Black and Latino individuals during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using digital health platforms for stress management, particularly in military populations, indicating potential for similar success in diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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 Anxiety Disorders
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.