# A behavioral intervention to optimize self-management of celiac disease in adolescents

> **NIH NIH K23** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2022 · $145,419

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune condition whose only currently available treatment is a strict,
burdensome gluten-free diet (GFD). The current proposal uses a theory-driven empirical approach for
optimizing the GFD for teens and their parents by targeting knowledge, behavior, and coping skills through
educational and cognitive behavioral techniques. Integration with telehealth and SMS (short-message service;
“text”) technology for delivering the intervention has the potential reduce barriers to specialized treatment at
both early and later stages of implementation. This mentored K23 award aligns with NIDDK's mission to
“conduct and support medical research and research training and to disseminate science-based information” to
conditions such as digestive diseases to improve people's health and quality of life. The proposed training and
research plan will provide the necessary experience and training opportunities for the candidate to achieve a
long-term career as an independent clinical researcher in optimizing CD treatment for youth and their families.
The proposed K23 project and training plan is designed achieve this goal through advanced training in (1)
Developing and evaluating patient-centered family interventions in real-world settings; (2) Utilization and
statistical analysis of technology for behavioral interventions; (3) Measuring self-management in youth with
chronic GI illness; and (4) Enhancing intervention-based grant writing skills and research dissemination. The
proposed research and training plan is fully supported by the institution (Children's National Hospital) and will
be guided by a multidisciplinary team of two co-mentors and four scientific advisors with expertise in family
interventions for pediatric chronic illness (Dr. Streisand, Primary Mentor, Dr. Hinds, Co-Mentor, and Dr.
Opipari-Arrigan, Advisor), CD treatment and evaluation of GFD management (Drs. Kerzner and Liu), and
advanced research methods (Dr. Bost). The proposed research will refine and test a behavioral intervention for
teens with CD and their parents using an iterative stakeholder-centered design. It will consist of refinement of a
behavioral intervention for use with teens (ages 12-16) and their parents through a series of focus groups (n=5
dyads), followed by proof of concept testing (n=5 dyads) and a small pilot RCT (n=60 dyads). Proof of concept
testing will examine intervention feasibility, acceptability, impact, and lead to further refinements based on
feedback. The RCT will examine preliminary efficacy of the intervention and its impact on QOL and GFD
management by targeting self-efficacy, illness identity, and food-related activities. The innovative and
significant data resulting from this K23 will directly position the candidate to secure future funding as an
independent investigator. This research would provide preliminary data to support a large-scale RCT of the
intervention, with continued leveraging of tech...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10488294
- **Project number:** 5K23DK129826-02
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Shayna Skelley Coburn
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $145,419
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-27 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10488294

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10488294, A behavioral intervention to optimize self-management of celiac disease in adolescents (5K23DK129826-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10488294. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*