University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
Location status: Recruiting
Location contact
Jessica Biesiekierski
CONTACT
NCT Number: NCT06940596
This research project will assess how two treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (one dietary and one behavioral) work and for whom. This will be done by assessing moderators (what treatment works for who and in what context) and mediators (how treatment works). Investigators will also assess how the diet and behavioral treatments affect IBS symptoms during treatment. Participants will be randomized to either: i. A FODMAP diet online program that focuses on modifying the consumption of foods high or moderate in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPS) to manage IBS symptoms. or, ii. An Exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-CBT) online program for IBS that focuses on changing symptom-related behaviors which are known to worsen IBS symptoms.
Interested in participating?
Request Info18 year and older
All sexes
Interventional
Not applicable
Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
Location status: Recruiting
Jessica Biesiekierski
CONTACT
This research uses a randomized controlled trial to investigate the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A range of treatments for IBS are available, but each work for only a portion of patients, and it is unclear why. This research project will assess how two treatments (one dietary and one behavioral) work and for whom. Investigators will do this by assessing moderators (what treatment works for who and in what context) and mediators (how treatment works). This project will also assess how the diet and behavioral treatments affect IBS symptoms during treatment. Participants will be randomized to either: i. A FODMAP diet online program that focuses on modifying the consumption of foods high or moderate in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPS) to manage IBS symptoms. This treatment involves 3-phases: FODMAP restriction (phase 1), FODMAP re-introduction (phase 2), and FODMAP personalization (phase 3), or, ii. An Exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-CBT) online program for IBS that focuses on symptom-related behaviors such as avoidance of activities and foods, excessive toilet visits, and behaviors to control symptoms which are known to worsen IBS symptoms. E-CBT uses daily self-observation and exposure exercises to change these behaviors to relieve IBS symptoms. Investigators believe that both treatments, FODMAP diet and E-CBT, will lead to an improvement in IBS gastrointestinal symptoms. Primary moderators and mediators to be assessed include gastrointestinal symptom anxiety, food avoidance behaviour and FODMAP intake.
Healthy volunteers accepted: No
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Each participant must meet all of the following criteria to be enrolled in this trial:
Exclusion criteria
Patients meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from the trial:
The intervention is an online diet program. The diet is the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet. It is a 3-phase diet which involves: 1.Phase 1 FODMAP restriction: restrict foods high or moderate in FODMAPs and swap these for low FODMAP alternatives; 2. Phase 2 FODMAP reintroduction: continue to follow a low FODMAP diet and complete a series of food challenges to understand which foods and FODMAPs are tolerated and which trigger symptoms; 3. Phase 3 FODMAP personalization: include well-tolerated foods and FODMAPs back into the diet, and restrict poorly tolerated foods and FODMAPs to a level needed to maintain symptom relief. The online FODMAP program is a self-directed diet program with support from an online clinician (Accredited Practicing Dietitian [APD]). The content is delivered over 12 weeks. After each module participants will complete homework activities and questions and submit them to the dietitian for feedback.
The intervention is an online behavioral therapy program. The behavioral therapy is Exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-CBT) Program. The E-CBT program is organised into six steps to be completed over 12 weekly modules with support from an online clinician (Psychologist). The first step contains a rationale for the treatment and instructions on self-observation. Steps 2, 3 and 4 contain a presentation of a psychological model of IBS and continued self-observation exercises. The fifth step covers exposure exercises, divided into three categories; (1) exercises that provoke symptoms, (2) abolishment of behaviors that serve to control symptoms, (3) exposure to situations where symptoms were unwanted. The final step (Step 6) includes how to handle relapses into avoidance behaviors and how to maintain a widened behavioral repertoire. After each module participants will be directed to complete homework activities and questions and submit them to the psychologist for feedback.
Time frame: Measured weekly between baseline (prior to intervention) and after intervention completed (week 12).
The GSRS-IBS is a 13-item measure of IBS symptom severity to reflect the last 7 days. The items are scored between 1 (no discomfort at all) and 7 (very severe discomfort), rendering a total score between 13 and 91.
Time frame: Baseline and 3-and 6 month follow up time points after intervention completed (week 12).
The GSRS-IBS is a 13-item measure of IBS symptom severity to reflect the last 7 days. The items are scored between 1 (no discomfort at all) and 7 (very severe discomfort), rendering a total score between 13 and 91.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
The IBS-SSS is a 5-item measure of the severity of IBS symptoms: frequency and severity of abdominal pain, severity of bloating, dissatisfaction with bowel habits and impact on life in general. Questions ask about IBS and gut symptoms during the past 7 days except question 4 which asks participants to enter the number of days they get pain in every 10. days. A total score ranging from 0 to 500. Mild, moderate and severe cases are indicated by scores of 75 to <175, 175 to <300 and >300 respectively
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
IBS-QOL is used to assess the impact on quality of life for patients with IBS and consists of 34 items scored between 1 and 5, resulting in a maximum score of 170.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
NIAS is a 9-item measure of ARFID symptoms. The scale has 9 questions, scored from 0 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) and summed into three subscales (fear of adverse consequences, lack of interest/appetite, and sensory sensitivity); each range = 0-15), with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
The Fear of Food Questionnaire (FFQ) is an 18-item measure of food-related fears averaged into five subscales (GI fears, food fears, food avoidance, social impairment, and distress/loss of pleasure) and a total score between 0 and 90 (each range = 0-5), with higher scores indicating greater food related fears.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
PHQ-15 is a validated measure of somatization. Questions reflect the previous 4 weeks. It comprises 15 somatic symptoms with each symptom scored from 0 ("not bothered at all") to 2 ("bothered a lot"). The PHQ-15 will be administered to facilitate assessment of PHQ-12. The PHQ-12 is a commonly used modification of the PHQ-15 without three GI-related items; constipation, loose bowels, or diarrhea; nausea, gas, or indigestion. The PHQ-12 represents non-GI or extraintestinal somatic symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
GAD-7 is a 7-item questionnaire used for screening and measuring the severity of anxiety symptoms. Questions reflect the previous 14 days and responses are measured on a 4-point Likert scale; 0=not at all sure; 1=several days; 2=more than half the days; 3=nearly every day. Total GAD-7 scores range from 0-21 with higher scores indicating greater severity of symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a 9-item measure of depression severity. Questions reflect the previous 14 days. Each of the 9 items can be scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) and severity score can range from 0 to 27. PHQ-9 scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 indicate mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
The VSI is a 15-item measure of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, scored on a Likert scale of 1 to 6 with 1=strongly agree; 2=moderately agree; 3=mildly agree; 4=mildly disagree; 5=moderately disagree and 6=strongly disagree.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
IBS-BRQ is a 26-item measure of avoidance behavior. The scale has 26 items, scored from 1 (never) to 7 (always), indicating how persistently the particular avoidance or toilet behavior is carried out.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
Participants will record their food intake for 3 days (including one weekend day) using paper or an app. Total FODMAP intake will be calculated g/day.
Time frame: Baseline, after intervention completed (week 12), and at follow up time points of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention.
The stool diary will be completed over 7 days and is based on the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) for IBS subtyping and bowel habit assessment i.e. stool frequency and consistency. Stool consistency will be quantified according to ROME classifications.
Time frame: Gastrointestinal microbiome composition and function will be measured 2nd weekly between baseline (prior to intervention) and after intervention completed (week 12) as exploratory mediators.
Gut microbiome composition (i.e., alpha diversity, beta diversity, relative abundance) and function 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing. Measured as exploratory mediators.
Time frame: Will be measured 2nd weekly between baseline (prior to intervention) and after intervention completed (week 12) as exploratory mediators.
Participants will record their food intake for 3 days (including one weekend day) using paper or an app. Individual FODMAPs' intake will be calculated g/day. Measured as exploratory mediators.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
The GSRS-IBS is a 13-item measure of IBS symptom severity to reflect the last 7 days. The items are scored between 1 (no discomfort at all) and 7 (very severe discomfort), rendering a total score between 13 and 91. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
Description: I IBS-QOL is used to assess the impact on quality of life for patients with IBS and consists of 34 items scored between 1 and 5, resulting in a maximum score of 170. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
The Fear of Food Questionnaire (FFQ) is an 18-item measure of food-related fears averaged into five subscales (GI fears, food fears, food avoidance, social impairment, and distress/loss of pleasure) and a total score between 0 and 90 (each range = 0-5), with higher scores indicating greater food related fears. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
NIAS is a 9-item measure of ARFID symptoms. The scale has 9 questions, scored from 0 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) and summed into three subscales (fear of adverse consequences, lack of interest/appetite, and sensory sensitivity); each range = 0-15), with higher scores indicating greater severity. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
PHQ-15 is a validated measure of somatization. Questions reflect the previous 4 weeks. It comprises 15 somatic symptoms with each symptom scored from 0 ("not bothered at all") to 2 ("bothered a lot"). The PHQ-15 will be administered to facilitate assessment of PHQ-12. The PHQ-12 is a commonly used modification of the PHQ-15 without three GI-related items; constipation, loose bowels, or diarrhea; nausea, gas, or indigestion. The PHQ-12 represents non-GI or extraintestinal somatic symptoms. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a 9-item measure of depression severity. Questions reflect the previous 14 days. Each of the 9 items can be scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) and severity score can range from 0 to 27. PHQ-9 scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 indicate mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
GAD-7 is a 7-item questionnaire used for screening and measuring the severity of anxiety symptoms. Questions reflect the previous 14 days and responses are measured on a 4-point Likert scale; 0=not at all sure; 1=several days; 2=more than half the days; 3=nearly every day. Total GAD-7 scores range from 0-21 with higher scores indicating greater severity of symptoms. Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
Gut microbiome composition (i.e., alpha diversity, beta diversity, relative abundance) and function 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing . Measured as an exploratory moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as an exploratory moderator.
The stool diary will be completed over 7 days and is based on the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) for IBS subtyping and bowel habit assessment i.e. stool frequency and consistency. Stool consistency will be quantified according to ROME classifications. Measured as a exploratory moderator.
Time frame: End of the 12-week intervention and at 3-and 6 months follow up time points after 12-week intervention..
The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire is an 8-question brief global measure of client satisfaction. The eight questions are measured on a 4-point Likert scale with questions 1, 3, 6 and 7 measured on a positive scale and questions 2, 4, 5 and 8 on a negative scale. Total scores range from 8 to 32, with the higher number indicating greater satisfaction.
Time frame: Baseline and after intervention completed (week 12)
The GSRS-IBS is a 13-item measure of IBS symptom severity to reflect the last 7 days. The items are scored between 1 (no discomfort at all) and 7 (very severe discomfort), rendering a total score between 13 and 91.
Time frame: Baseline and after intervention completed (week 12)
The IBS-SSS is a 5-item measure of the severity of IBS symptoms: frequency and severity of abdominal pain, severity of bloating, dissatisfaction with bowel habits and impact on life in general. Questions ask about IBS and gut symptoms during the past 7 days with the exception of question 4 which asks participants to enter the number of days they get pain in every 10. days. A total score ranging from 0 to 500. Mild, moderate and severe cases are indicated by scores of 75 to <175, 175 to <300 and >300 respectively
Time frame: VSI will be measured 2nd weekly between baseline (prior to intervention), after intervention (week 12) and and at follow up timepoints of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention as a putative mediator.
The VSI is a 15-item measure of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, scored on a Likert scale of 1 to 6 with 1=strongly agree; 2=moderately agree; 3=mildly agree; 4=mildly disagree; 5=moderately disagree and 6=strongly disagree. The VSI is being measured as a putative mediator.
Time frame: IBS-BRQ will be measured 2nd weekly between baseline (prior to intervention), after intervention (week 12) and and at follow up timepoints of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention as a putative mediator.
IBS-BRQ is a 26-item measure of avoidance behavior. The scale has 26 items, scored from 1 (never) to 7 (always), indicating how persistently the particular avoidance or toilet behavior is carried out. IBS-BRQ is measured as a putative mediator.
Time frame: Total FODMAP intake will be measured 2nd weekly between baseline (prior to intervention), after intervention (week 12) and and at follow up timepoints of 3-and 6 months following the 12-week intervention as a putative mediator.
Participants will record their food intake for 3 days (including one weekend day) using paper or an app. Total FODMAP intake will be calculated g/day. Total FODMAP intake is being measured as a putative mediator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as a putative moderator.
Baseline treatment preference will be assessed with a single question prior to randomization: "If you had a choice, which treatment would you prefer to receive?". Three response options will be provided: FODMAP diet program; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program; No preference. Measured as a putative moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as a putative moderator.
The VSI is a 15-item measure of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, scored on a Likert scale of 1 to 6 with 1=strongly agree; 2=moderately agree; 3=mildly agree; 4=mildly disagree; 5=moderately disagree and 6=strongly disagree. The VSI is being measured as a putative moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as a putative moderator.
IBS-BRQ is a 26-item measure of avoidance behavior. The scale has 26 items, scored from 1 (never) to 7 (always), indicating how persistently the particular avoidance or toilet behavior is carried out. IBS-BRQ is measured as a putative moderator.
Time frame: Baseline (prior to start of intervention) as a putative moderator.
Participants will record their food intake for 3 days (including one weekend day) using paper or an app. Total FODMAP intake will be calculated g/day. Total FODMAP intake is being measured as a putative mediator. Measured as a putative moderator.
Time frame: End of week 2 of 12-week intervention
The Credibility & Expectancy Questionnaire is a 6-question measure of treatment expectancy and credibility. Credibility is derived from the first three 'think' (cognitively based) questions and expectancy is derived from the fourth 'think' question and the two 'feel' (affectively based) questions. Measured as a control variable.
Time frame: End of week 2 of 12-week intervention
The Working Alliance Inventory for guided Internet interventions (WAI-I) is a 12 item tool to evaluate the working alliance in the context of guided Internet interventions. It consists of two subscale dimensions; Dimension 1: task and goal agreement with the program; and Dimension 2: bond with therapist. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always) and will be reported as a total score. Measured as a control variable.
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Jacqueline L Anderson, APD
CONTACT
Jessica Biesiekierski, A/Prof
CONTACT
University of Melbourne
Other
Exclude or Expose in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What Works for Whom, and How? A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet-Delivered FODMAP Diet Versus Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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