# Micro-randomized trial of a physical activity intervention to manage pain symptoms among older cancer survivors

> **NIH NIH K01** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2024 · $134,865

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The older cancer survivor is particularly affected by cancer and its treatments with numerous physical, mental,
and psychosocial short- and long-term side effects, such as an increase in risk to experience chronic pain
symptoms. Strong evidence indicates physical activity is correlated with lower rated symptoms of chronic pain.
Despite the known benefits of physical activity, only 7% of older cancer survivors meet current physical activity
recommendations. High ratings of pain are associated with low physical activity levels in older cancer
survivors. Therefore, it is critical to understand how and when to best deliver physical activity intervention
health messaging to reduce chronic pain symptoms among older cancer survivors who experience chronic
pain symptoms. This application proposes the career development plan for Dr. Whitney Welch to establish an
independent research program examining the relationship between physical activity and the maintenance of
independence through the reduction of chronic symptoms among older cancer survivors. Dr. Welch's career
development will be supported by an exceptional interdisciplinary group of investigators with a lengthy history
of federal funding and a track record of successful mentorships. Her mentors, Dr. Rini, Dr. Spring, and Dr. Wolf
are internationally recognized scholars in the areas of cancer survivorship, adaptive intervention design, and
health literacy and health communications, respectively. The overall aim of this application is to develop and
test the timing of physical activity promotion messages to increase physical activity and reduce pain symptoms
among older cancer survivors who experience chronic pain symptoms using a micro-randomized trial design.
In Aim 1, we propose to use a patient-centered, health literacy approach to develop and select theory-based
health messaging that increase survivors' likelihood of engaging in physical activity tailored to their current pain
symptoms. In Aim 2, we will conduct a micro-randomized trial, a new experimental design developed to
optimize the construction of in-the-moment interventions, to determine the optimal pain state (pain/no pain) to
deliver a message to increase physical activity and the probability that older cancer survivors will engage in
physical activity. Finally, we propose an exploratory aim to determine the optimal pain state (pain/no pain) to
deliver the message to increase physical activity and the probability participants will experience a subsequent
pain episode. Results from this study will provide a robust foundation for a R01 submission to conduct a just-in-
time adaptive physical activity intervention to manage pain symptoms in older cancer survivors. This award will
directly lead to the establishment of an independent research program in physical activity and health research
among older cancer survivors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10913536
- **Project number:** 5K01CA255414-03
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Whitney A Morelli
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $134,865
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-20 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10913536

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10913536, Micro-randomized trial of a physical activity intervention to manage pain symptoms among older cancer survivors (5K01CA255414-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10913536. Licensed CC0.

---

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