Physical Activity and Percussive Massage Therapy for Reducing Pain in Older Women (MAPAP)

Funder: Therabody Inc.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07056335

Principal Investigator: Shiyu Li, PhD; David E. Conroy, PhD (Faculty Advisor)

Participants: women aged 65+

Setting: digital intervention

Sample Size: 108

Research Question:

Should a daily self-monitoring intervention focus on physical activity, percussive massage therapy, or both to promote engagement in those behaviors and reduce pain intensity and interference in older women.

Description:

A 2-month 2*2 factorial randomized controlled trial testing whether self-monitoring physical activity and/or massage gun use improves pain management in older women.

Participants received education on physical activity and massage therapy and were assigned to one of four groups:

• • Physical activity self-monitoring
  • Massage therapy self-monitoring
  • Physical activity + massage therapy self-monitoring
  • No self-monitoring

Results:

• Data analyses are in progress and will be shared soon.

Media Coverage:

• Therabody.com: Therabody’s Research Grant Award Recipients—What Will We Prove About Wellness Next?

Dual-Process Mechanisms of Action for sip^IT Intervention Effects in Patients with Urolithiasis (sip^IT Mechanisms Trial)

Funder: NIDDK (R01 DK124469)

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06269783

Principal Investigator: David E. Conroy, PhD; Necole Streeper, MD

Participants: adults (18+), with recent diagnosis of kidney stone

Setting: digital intervention

Sample Size: 155

Research Question: 

How do the reflective and automatic behavioral processes engaged by sipIT change during and after a 3-month intervention period to influence changes in urine output?

Description:

In the 6-month sip^IT Mechanisms trial, participants received a three-month just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) designed to promote fluid intake habit formation and prevent kidney stone recurrence.

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Results:

Data analyses are in progress and will be shared soon.

Self-Determination Theory Perspective to Understand Self-Monitoring Trajectories in a Digital Lifestyle Intervention

Funder: 80/20 Foundation

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07056335

Principal Investigators: Yan Du, PhD

Participants: adults (18+) with overweight/obesity, with or without Type 2 Diabetes or early-stage Chronic Kidney Disease

Setting: hybrid

Sample Size: 60

Research Question: 

• Are there distinct self-monitoring adherence patterns over the 6 month intervention?
• Do outcomes differ across these subgroups?
• Do self-determination theory factors explained these differences.

Description:

A secondary data analysis of a 6-month stratified, randomized controlled trial. Participants receive instructions to perform daily self-monitoring of diet, physical activity, and body weight for weight loss and diabetes management. 

Results:

• 2025 co-authored paper in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism: Reported feasibility and preliminary efficacy outcomes
• 2024 first-authored paper in Journal of Medical Informatics Research: Examined distinct patterns of multi-target self-monitoring adherence and their relationships with SDT determinants and clinical outcomes
• 2024 first-authored paper in BMC Digital Health: Qualitatively explored why some participants sustained self-monitoring during the intervention while others disengaged, revealing key behavioral and technical factors that shape long-term adherence 
• 2024 co-authored pre-print in arXiv: demonstrated how nurse-guided AI and predictive digital twins can support personalized diabetes management through real-time behavioral feedback.
• 2023 first-authored paper in Nutrition & Diabetes: Reported low adherence issue in ketogenic diet interventions and underscored the need for improved strategies and standardized assessments to support diabetes care.

Translating Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program for Latino Community in Rural South Texas

Funder: UT Health San Antonio IIMS/CTSA

Principal Investigator: Chun-Fun Chu, PhD

Participants: adults (18+), Type 2 Diabetes, Latino, rural south texas residents

Setting: hybrid

Sample Size: 15

Research Question: 

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth-based DSMES program led by trained community health workers for Latino adults with diabetes living in rural South Texas. 

Description:

A 12-week community health worker–led Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program combining digital education, self-monitoring, and connected technology to support diabetes management in rural Latino communities. 

Results:

• 2022 first-authored paper in JMIR Diabetes: Reported feasibility and preliminary efficacy outcomes
• 2022 first-authored book chapter in Diabetes Digital Health and Telehealth: Reviewed how digital health technologies can support DSMES, while highlighting key barriers and policy considerations.