Can a peer coach help young people take control of their chronic illness?

NCT ID NCT03938324

Disease control Sponsor: Duke University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a peer coaching program delivered by phone and text can help adolescents and young adults (ages 16–22) with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis improve their self-management skills. Participants are paired with a trained peer coach who has a similar condition and who provides support and advice. The goal is to see if this approach boosts patient activation and readiness to transition to adult healthcare.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: a mobile health peer coaching program where trained peers provide support via phone and text
What this could lead to: If effective, this approach could offer a low-cost way to help young people with chronic conditions better manage their health and transition to adult care.
What could go wrong: This is a behavioral intervention, so results depend on participant engagement and may not work for everyone. The study is not designed to cure any disease.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

222 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Oct 2019

Finished

Jun 2024

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

16 to 22 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * AYA 16 to 22 years * Childhood onset chronic condition from 1 of 3 condition categories * Read and speaks English * Access to internet via computer or Smart Phone * Access to telephone (Smart Phone not required as text feature can be accessed via internet) Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed cognitive dysfunction * Need for English translator

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

childhood malignant neoplasm chronic kidney disease chronic renal failure syndrome cystic fibrosis inflammatory bowel disease neoplasm sickle cell disease systemic lupus erythematosus type 1 diabetes mellitus type 1 diabetes mellitus 1

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Childhood cancer Chronic kidney diseases Cystic fibrosis Diabetes mellitus, type 1 Inflammatory bowel diseases Organ transplant Sickle cell disease Stem cell transplant Systemic lupus erythematosus

Can a peer coach help young people take control of their chronic illness?

What the study statuses mean