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Heart Rate Variability and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Interventions
Behavioral: Biofeedback Enhanced Treatment
Registration Number
NCT06537258
Lead Sponsor
Emory University
Brief Summary

The goals of this study are to test the effectiveness of a virtually delivered, group-based coping skills treatment program incorporating heart rate variability biofeedback to target autonomic dysfunction in youth diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The investigators will enroll participants with IBD in a biofeedback enhanced cognitive behaviorally based coping skills treatment. Participants will be randomized to biofeedback enhanced treatment or wait-list control.

Detailed Description

The goals of this study are to test the effectiveness of a virtually delivered, group-based coping skills treatment program incorporating heart rate variability biofeedback to target autonomic dysfunction in youth diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Patients are youth ages 13-18 recruited through IBD clinics at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Enrollment will include up to 128 children with at least 1 parent. This study will last 7-months and will have 4 in person study visits, lasting about 1 hour each, as well as 6 virtual treatment sessions lasting about 45 minutes each.

Study procedures will include surveys, chart/record review, blood sampling, and non-invasive assessments of psychophysiological functioning. Stool samples will be collected and stored. Informed consent and assent will be obtained in-person or remote signed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
128
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis with biopsy-confirmed IBD for at least 4 months,
  • ages 13 through 18 years inclusive,
  • speak English,
  • enrolling with at least 1 parent/guardian who is willing to participate by completing surveys,
  • positive depression or anxiety screens using the PHQ-4, - access to home internet to participate in virtual intervention,
  • youth and parent agree to the conditions of study participation, including randomization, participation in intervention, and follow-up assessments,
  • youth is medically approved to engage in normal daily activities (e.g., attend school, extracurricular activities)
Exclusion Criteria
  • previous diagnosis of developmental disabilities that require full-time special education or that impair the ability to respond to treatment,
  • diagnosis with any other chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, etc.),
  • diagnosis of abnormal thyroid function,
  • treatment with any drug with known autonomic cardiovascular influences including beta-blockers, central sympatholytic agents, or antidepressants.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Biofeedback Enhanced TreatmentBiofeedback Enhanced TreatmentParticipants in this group will participate in biofeedback enhanced cognitive behaviorally based coping skills treatment. Treatment will consist of a 6-visit group intervention conducted online, via Emory zoom. Groups will include 5-8 patients. Groups will meet approximately each week for 6 weeks. Patients will also rate their disease symptoms and measures of clinical disease activity will be collected via chart review. Clinical assessments will occur at baseline within 1 week prior to starting treatment (T1), at treatment end or 6 weeks after baseline (T2), 14 weeks after baseline to capture 2-month follow-up after treatment (T3) and at 26 weeks after baseline (T4).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in psychological distressBaseline, 6 weeks post-intervention

A continuous composite measure of stress, anxiety, and depression. Which will be analyzed continuously to evaluate for a significant mean difference between randomized groups at study endpoint (6-weeks). Scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater distress.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Atlanta Metropolitan Area

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Center for Advanced Pediatrics

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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