Deepshikha Ashana, MD, MBA

Research Project:
Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Phone App to Help People with COPD

Grant Awarded:

ACRC Pilot Grant

Research Topics:

clinical research
risk factors
social behavioral health

Research Disease:

COPD

One in every two people with COPD also experiences anxiety or depression. Having anxiety and depression affects quality of life, makes it harder to breathe, and increases the likelihood for hospitalization with a COPD flare. However, effective treatments exist for anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one such treatment, but it is difficult to access for two reasons. First, there are not enough trained therapists in the United States; and second, attending regular appointments can be challenging when managing a chronic illness. Therefore, our goal is to modify an existing CBT-based phone app for people with COPD. This will mean that people with COPD who also have anxiety or depression will be able to learn and practice CBT skills in the comfort of their own homes, when they want, and as often as they want. We hope this will result in fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improved COPD outcomes.

Page last updated: September 30, 2025

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