Virtual Group Therapy for IBD Patients With Anxiety and Depression

Acceptability will be assessed using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-4 (CSQ-4), which is used to measure overall satisfaction and client self-efficacy in healthcare, mental health, and social programs. Scores range from 4-16, with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction with the treatment. CSQ-4 scores are commonly classified as "low satisfaction/dissatisfaction" (4-8), "moderate/neutral satisfaction" (9-12), and "high satisfaction" (13-16).

Feasibility will be assessed by analyzing recruitment and retention (i.e., number of patients who are referred that enroll in the study and complete treatment)

Measured via Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a 9-item self-report tool used to screen, diagnose, and measure the severity of depression in clinical settings. It scores depressive symptoms experienced over the past two weeks on a scale from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. Scores are commonly classified as "minimal or no depression" (0-4), "mild depression" (5-9), "moderate depression" (10-14), "moderately severe depression" (15-19), and "severe depression" (20-27).

Measured via Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), a 7-item self-report tool used to screen for anxiety and measure its severity over the past two weeks. Scores range from 0-21, with higher numbers indicating more severe symptoms. GAD-7 scores are commonly classified as "minimal anxiety" (0-4), "mild anxiety" (5-9), "moderate anxiety" (10-14), and "severe anxiety" (15-21).

Measured via Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), 13-item tool that measures tiredness and how it affects daily life over the past 7 days. Scores range from 0-52, with higher numbers indicating less fatigue. FACIT-Fatigue scores are commonly classified as "severe fatigue" (0-21), "moderate fatigue" (22-30), "mild fatigue" (31-40), and "little to no fatigue" (40-52).

Measured via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 19-item self-report questionnaire that evaluates subjective sleep quality and disturbances over a one-month time period. Scores range from 0-21, with higher numbers indicating worse sleep quality. PSQI scores are commonly classified as "good sleep quality" (0-5) and "poor sleep quality" (6-21).

Measured via Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI), a 15-item self-report questionnaire that evaluates GSA, including fear, hypervigilance, and avoidance of belly sensations. Scores range from 0-75, with higher numbers indicating worse GSA.

Measured for patients with CD via change in scores on the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI), a clinical tool used to measure the severity of CD based on five patient symptoms from the previous day. Scores range from 0-16 and up, with higher numbers indicating more severe disease activity. HBI scores are commonly classified as "clinical remission" (0-4), "mild disease activity" (5-7), "moderate disease activity" (8-16), and "severe disease activity" (16 or more).

Measured for patients with UC via change in scores on the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI), a clinical tool used to measure the severity of UC. Scores range from 0-5 and up, with higher numbers indicating more severe disease activity. UC scores are commonly classified as "clinical remission" (0-2), "mild disease activity" (3-4), and "active flare or relapse" (5 or more).

Change in biochemical inflammation measured by fecal calprotectin and c-reactive protein levels.

Change in untargeted metabolite levels