# Multimodal Mobile Intervention Application (app) to Address Symptoms in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors

> **NIH NIH R21** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $167,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Overview: The goal of this study is to develop, refine, and test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a self-
administered, mobile sexual dysfunction intervention application (app) in improving outcomes of hematopoietic
stem cell transplant (HCT) survivors.
Background: Sexual dysfunction is the most common complication post-HCT with over 40% of male and 60%
of female survivors reporting long-term sexual dysfunction post-transplant. Importantly, sexual dysfunction is
associated with worse quality of life (QOL), relationship dissatisfaction, and psychological distress, which further
contributes to the morbidity in this population. HCT survivors experience a unique and wide range of biologic,
interpersonal, psychological, and social factors that impact their sexual function. Given the multifactorial nature
of sexual dysfunction, a multimodal approach is necessary to address patients’ specific issues and concerns.
Despite the increasing use of HCT and the burden of sexual dysfunction in this often young patient population,
there are currently no interventions to address their sexual dysfunction. We completed a pilot study in which we
recruited HCT survivors with sexual dysfunction causing distress to participate in a multimodal intervention that
entailed monthly visits with trained study nurse practitioners. We demonstrated that the intervention was feasible
and led to statistically and clinically significant improvements in patients’ satisfaction and interest in sex, sexual
health and function, QOL, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Despite the success of our prior work, the
majority of HCT survivors will not have access to clinicians with expertise to address their sexual dysfunction.
Research Plan: We propose to adapt our sexual health intervention to a mobile app, which patients can self-
administer via tablet computer to ensure the accessibility and scalability of the intervention. We recently secured
funds to develop a multimodal mobile app to address sexual dysfunction in HCT survivors. The proposed R21
project will use mixed qualitative and quantitative methods to 1) refine the app based on an open pilot study with
six HCT survivors experiencing sexual dysfunction and 2) conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the mobile
app versus enhanced standard care in 80 HCT survivors to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the
mobile app in improving patient-reported sexual function, QOL, and mood.
Environment: This project will be conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center,
which cares for over 1000 HCT survivors and conducts over 200 transplants per year. Dr. El-Jawahri will collab-
orate with a nationally recognized team of researchers in supportive and palliative care research, behavioral
intervention development, engineering, and sexual health.
Relevance of Research: This project will test an innovative, patient-centered, mobile app that will substantially
enhance ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10000145
- **Project number:** 5R21NR018234-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Areej El-Jawahri
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $167,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-21 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10000145

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10000145, Multimodal Mobile Intervention Application (app) to Address Symptoms in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors (5R21NR018234-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10000145. Licensed CC0.

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