Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Washington received a $164,268 Project Grant awarded April 15, 2026, from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health under the Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health program (CFDA 93.213). This K23 Career Development Award supports a research initiative to optimize mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for chronic pain management in people with multiple sclerosis. The project delivers three integrated components: (1) utilization of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) across 80 individuals with MS during an 8-week MBCT intervention to identify barriers and facilitators to mindfulness practice; (2) development of a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) informed by EMA data to deliver personalized "nudges" promoting consistent mindfulness practice; and (3) human-centered design integration to enhance real-world mindfulness engagement.

The award also provides structured career development training for the principal investigator in intensive longitudinal study design, micro-randomized trial methodology, JITAI development, grantsmanship, and scientific dissemination skills. The project generates pilot data and outcomes intended to support development of a subsequent R01 grant application. Research activities will be conducted at the University of Washington's Seattle facility through the ultimate completion date of March 31, 2031.