# A technology-based psychosocial intervention to support social engagement and well-being in adults aging with HIV

> **NIH NIH R21** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2022 · $254,250

## Abstract

Project Summary
Older people with HIV (OPH) often live with significant mental health challenges such as social isolation,
loneliness, and depression. Yet to date, there has been limited intervention research directed at psychosocial
issues such as social isolation and loneliness among aging adults with HIV, especially long-term survivors, an
area especially relevant given the COVID-19 pandemic and “stay in place” requirements. This proposed
exploratory/development study addresses these issues and is responsive to NIH PAR-18-190 Multidisciplinary
Studies of HIV and Aging. Consistent with OAR emphasis on improving outcomes through Cross-Cutting
research to address HIV-associated comorbidities and complications, the study objectives are to develop and
evaluate a technology-based psychosocial intervention program designed to: enhance social engagement and
support, resource access and education; reduce loneliness; and improve well-being among older adults with
HIV who are long-term survivors (diagnosed with HIV ≥ 20 years). The program, Connecting Older Positive
People to Enhance Health and Resilience (COPPEhR), will build on the PRISM tablet platform [13] and the
programs and services available at the Center for Special Studies (CSS) at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) (see
preliminary studies). Phase 1 of the study will involve developing and tailoring the system for this understudied
population, focus groups, and usability testing with a small sample of aging adults with HIV, and Phase 2 will
involve a two-group pilot efficacy trial (akin to an NIH Stage 1b trial). The COPPEhR intervention will be
compared to a tablet-only control condition (TCC). Sixty-eight adults aged 50+, stratified by age, with HIV who
are long-term survivors (diagnosed with HIV ≥ 20 years) will be recruited and randomly assigned 1:1 to the
COPPEhR or TCC conditions. The intervention duration will be six months. Outcomes will include measures of
depression, loneliness, social support, changes in social network, quality of life, and indices of health.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline and 3 & 6-months post-randomization. We will also assess the
feasibility, usefulness, and usability of the COPPEhR system and collect real time data on system use. The
specific aims of this developmental project are to: 1) Evaluate the feasibility, usefulness, and usability of a
state-of-the art technology-based multicomponent COPPEhR intervention for aging adults with HIV; and, 2)
Obtain preliminary information on the potential efficacy of the COPPEhR program in terms of enhancing
social engagement, well-being, and resource access, and reducing loneliness among older adults with HIV.
The overall goal of the research is to support the development of an efficacious technology-based intervention
for OPH that can be evaluated in a larger scale trial and be delivered to diverse older adults in a variety of
community and residential settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10481052
- **Project number:** 1R21AG074832-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** SARA J CZAJA
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $254,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10481052

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10481052, A technology-based psychosocial intervention to support social engagement and well-being in adults aging with HIV (1R21AG074832-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10481052. Licensed CC0.

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