Virtual Dietitian Consults for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority

Disqualifiers: Inflammatory bowel disease, Rectal bleeding, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder that affects many Canadians. The syndrome involves abdominal pain and change in frequency or form of bowel movements, and these symptoms can lead to a decreased quality of life for patients. Primary care physicians are dissatisfied with current referral processes, and patients may wait a long time to receive the correct diagnosis. Diet is known to exacerbate symptoms of IBS. In Canada, accessing dietary treatment for IBS is a challenge due to lack of resources. Some patients lack access to dietary interventions, and others are given advice that is not evidenced based. Use of eHealth technology, such as virtual education delivered by a dietician, may allow for more widespread access to dietary interventions for IBS. Virtual education can include one on one dietary education, online group-based education, and the use of apps. Currently, there is a gap in knowledge whether dietary intervention for IBS, delivered virtually by a dietician, is effective in treating IBS.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on dietary changes for managing IBS.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Dietary Education for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Research suggests that dietary changes are important for managing IBS, and digital methods like webinars can effectively deliver dietary education to patients, making it a feasible and cost-efficient approach. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe to use virtual dietitian consults for managing irritable bowel syndrome?

The research does not provide specific safety data for virtual dietitian consults, but these services are generally considered safe as they involve dietary advice and education, which are non-invasive and low-risk. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is the Virtual Dietary Education treatment for IBS different from other treatments?

Virtual Dietary Education for IBS is unique because it uses digital technology, like webinars, to provide dietary advice and education remotely, making it more accessible and potentially more cost-efficient compared to traditional in-person dietitian consultations. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) who have regular abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Participants need to have access to a device for virtual dietary education and be willing to change their diet.

Inclusion Criteria

You can access a device to attend online nutrition classes.

I have had stomach pain at least once a week for the last 3 months, which changes with my bowel movements.

You are okay with changing your diet.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive virtual dietary education through either one-on-one consults with a dietitian or an online group education program

12 weeks

1 initial visit (virtual, 60 minutes) + 4 follow-up visits (virtual, 30 minutes each) for one-on-one consults; biweekly group calls (virtual, 45 minutes each) for group program

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for effectiveness of dietary interventions and quality of life improvements

5 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Virtual Dietary Education (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests if IBS symptoms can be improved through virtual dietary education provided by dietitians. This includes one-on-one consultations, online group sessions, and possibly app-based support.

Participant Groups

Group I: virtual dietitian consults for IBS patients Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will receive consults with a virtual dietitian (60 minutes initial + 4 x30-minute follow-up appointment) by a dietitian who has had additional training in the dietary management of IBS.

Group II: pre-existing online group education program for IBS Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm will be enrolled in the online course run by Happy Bellies Nutrition https://www.happybelliesnutrition.com/ibs-gentle-group-program. The Happy Bellies nutrition course has 5.5 hours of total video content and optional biweekly group calls via Zoom (45-minutes per session). This course is designed to take 12 weeks to complete. The participants would have access to the content for one year.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

QEII Health Sciences Centre Halifax, Canada

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nova Scotia Health Authority Lead Sponsor

Research Nova Scotia Collaborator

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessment of Quality and Readability of Internet Dietary Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. [2020] Diet plays an important role for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For medical conditions such as IBS, the Internet is a primary source of health information.1 However, recent evidence suggests that Internet health information may have several flaws including being extremely discrepant, of poor quality, and inaccurate.2 Therefore, our objectives were to evaluate both the quality and reading level of Internet dietary recommendations for both pediatric and adult IBS.

2. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Dietary Management in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Results of a Survey of Over 1500 United States Gastroenterologists. [2022] Dietary therapy is increasingly used to manage gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aim to gauge United States gastroenterologists' perceptions of dietary therapies for IBS.

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

British Dietetic Association evidence-based guidelines for the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome in adults. [2022] Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder. Diet and lifestyle changes are important management strategies. The aim of these guidelines is to systematically review key aspects of the dietary management of IBS, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidelines for use by registered dietitians.

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility, acceptability and cost efficiency of using webinars to deliver first-line patient education for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as part of a dietetic-led gastroenterology service in primary care. [2021] Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder. International research suggests dietary intervention as a first-line approach, although dietetic services are struggling to cope with demand. Digital technology may offer a solution to deliver appropriate patient education. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability and cost efficiency of using webinars to deliver first-line IBS advice to patients as part of a dietetic-led gastroenterology service in primary care.

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What patients know about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and what they would like to know. National Survey on Patient Educational Needs in IBS and development and validation of the Patient Educational Needs Questionnaire (PEQ). [2022] Patient education improves clinical outcomes in patients with chronic illness, but little is known about the education needs of patients with IBS.

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilization of Dietitians in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Members of the American College of Gastroenterology. [2022] The aim of this study was to identify benefits and barriers to using a gastroenterology (GI) dietitian for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) care.

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association between self-reported vegetarian diet and the irritable bowel syndrome in the French NutriNet cohort. [2018] There is growing interest in using diet counselling in the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Among new emerging diets, vegetarian diets (VD) seem to be experiencing an important popularity, partly because of their alleged health benefits. A recent study performed among a rural Indian population showed that predominant VD could be associated with IBS.