Using storytelling to encourage African Americans with atrial fibrillation to use anticoagulation treatment
Official title: Storytelling for Reducing Gap in AC Use in African Americans with Atrial Fibrillation
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10840965 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping African Americans with atrial fibrillation understand the importance of taking blood-thinning medication to reduce their stroke risk by using relatable stories that connect with their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | May 13, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,434 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD017646-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10840965 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who are currently not adherent to anticoagulation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already adherent to anticoagulation treatment or those not diagnosed with atrial fibrillation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the low rates of anticoagulation treatment among African Americans with atrial fibrillation, a condition that significantly increases the risk of stroke. By utilizing storytelling as a method to engage patients, the project will create narratives that resonate with African American patients, helping them to better understand the benefits of anticoagulation and overcome barriers to treatment. The approach involves focus groups to develop relatable stories and a pilot trial to evaluate the effectiveness of these narratives in promoting treatment adherence. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by fostering a deeper connection to the importance of anticoagulation therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the rates of anticoagulation treatment among African Americans with atrial fibrillation, thereby reducing their risk of stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that narrative-based interventions can effectively influence health behaviors, suggesting potential success for this storytelling approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kapoor, Alok — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Kapoor, Alok
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A researcher at Baylor College of Medicine is studying how signals between heart muscle cells and supportive heart cells influence atrial fibrillation, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent or treat this common heart rhythm problem.
-
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This NIH grant explores how a heart protein called JNK2 may drive atrial fibrillation, blood clots, and stroke, and whether it could serve as a biomarker and new treatment approach.
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A risk score to spot high-risk heart failure patients without atrial fibrillation who may need anticoagulation
A new tool uses patient data and heart MRI markers to identify heart failure patients without atrial fibrillation who might benefit from anticoagulation while minimizing bleeding risk.
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DECIDE-AF: a shared decision tool in your health portal to help prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation
A patient-friendly tool in your electronic health record helps you and your doctor choose the right way to prevent strokes if you have atrial fibrillation.
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.