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Behavioural Intervention

Self-Help Interventions for Crohn's Disease (EMPOWER-IBD Trial)

N/A
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Adults (age ≥ 18 years) with IBD and moderate-to-severe IBD-related Disability Index score > 35
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Inability or unwillingness to participate in the interventions
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 12 weeks
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is looking at different ways to help patients with moderate-to-severe IBD improve their ability to manage their condition and reduce disability. Participants will receive four different self-help resources for free - a

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults over 18 with moderate-to-severe IBD-related disability (score > 35). Participants must be able to consent, complete surveys, and join focus groups in English. It's not for those with low/no disability, unwilling to engage in interventions or unable to download apps due to language limitations.
What is being tested?
EMPOWER-IBD tests the effectiveness of four self-help resources: a book, smart app, help center, and peer mentorship on reducing IBD-related disability and boosting self-efficacy. This randomized trial has multiple sites and arms where participants are assigned different combinations of these tools.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this study involves behavioral interventions rather than medications, traditional side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience varying levels of engagement or psychological impact from the materials provided.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am over 18 and have a severe form of IBD.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I am unable or unwilling to follow the study's treatment plan.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~12 weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 12 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in IBD-related disability based on the validated IBD-Disability Index
Secondary study objectives
Change in IBD Self-efficacy as measured by the IBD Self-Efficacy Scale Wasson Health Confidence Scale

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

16Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Arm 9Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
1) My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs
Group II: Arm 8Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
"Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy) IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group III: Arm 7Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
"Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy) IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost
Group IV: Arm 6Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
"Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy) Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group V: Arm 5Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
"Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy)
Group VI: Arm 4Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group VII: Arm 3Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost
Group VIII: Arm 2Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group IX: Arm 16Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
1. My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs 2. "Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy) 3. IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost 4. Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group X: Arm 15Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs "Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy) IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost
Group XI: Arm 14Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs "Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy) Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group XII: Arm 13Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs "Coping with Crohn's and Colitis: A Patient and Clinician's Guide to CBT for IBD" (CBT) is an IBD-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook (e-book or hardcopy)
Group XIII: Arm 12Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group XIV: Arm 11Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs IBD Help Center (HELP) is a resource operated by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) for individuals to connect with an information specialist via email, call, or online live chat at no cost
Group XV: Arm 10Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
My IBD Care (APP) is a free smartapp that supports patients' tracking of symptoms, medical appointments, and medications; self-paced behavioral change programs Power of Two (PEER) is a one-on-one peer mentoring program operated by the Crohn's \& Colitis Foundation
Group XVI: Arm 1Active Control1 Intervention
No resource provision
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
PEER
2017
N/A
~70
HELP
2017
N/A
~60
CBT
2013
Completed Phase 3
~4220
APP
2014
N/A
~270

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of PennsylvaniaLead Sponsor
2,077 Previous Clinical Trials
42,719,285 Total Patients Enrolled
~533 spots leftby Dec 2025