Using mobile health tools to help children with behavior problems

Reach and Scalability of Digital Therapeutics for Childhood Behavior Problems

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10904951

This study is looking at how well a mobile app can help kids aged 5-8 with challenging behaviors, and it will see if using the app alone or with a coach makes a difference, all to help families who might struggle with costs or getting to appointments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10904951 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how effective a mobile health system can be in helping children aged 5-8 with disruptive behaviors. It compares two approaches: using the app on its own or with the support of a coach. The goal is to make evidence-based treatments more accessible to families who face barriers like cost and transportation. By randomly assigning families to different groups, the study will measure how well the app helps parents learn and apply important skills for managing their children's behavior.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are parents of children aged 5-8 who exhibit disruptive behaviors.

Not a fit: Patients whose children are older than 8 or do not exhibit disruptive behaviors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide families with a convenient and effective way to access behavioral therapy for their children.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using digital therapeutics for behavioral health, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.