NCT01886027

Brief Summary

The primary goal of this study is to test the efficacy of emotional awareness and expression training (EAET), a novel emotional processing intervention that the investigators have developed, for people with IBS. In this randomized, controlled trial, the investigators will compare EAET to a standard intervention that teaches the conceptually opposite approach-relaxation training (RT)-and test how both of these interventions compare to a wait-list control condition. The investigators hypothesize that individuals in the EAET group will demonstrate greater improvement in their IBS symptom severity, psychological functioning, quality of life, and health care utilization at 4 and 12-week follow-up time points, compared to individuals in the wait-list control group. It is also expected that both of the active interventions (EAET and RT) will be more efficacious than the wait-list control condition.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
106

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2013

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2013

Completed
12 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 13, 2013

Completed
12 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 25, 2013

Completed
1.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2015

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2015

Completed
Last Updated

May 6, 2015

Status Verified

May 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

1.7 years

First QC Date

June 13, 2013

Last Update Submit

May 5, 2015

Conditions

Keywords

IBSRelaxationEmotional exposureEmotional Processing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS)

    Change from baseline symptom severity at 1 month and 3 months

Secondary Outcomes (18)

  • McGill Pain Questionnaire, Short Form (SF-MPQ-2)

    Change from baseline pain at 1 month and 3 months

  • Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS)

    Change from baseline stool form at 1 month and 3 months

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Quality of Life (IBS-QOL)

    Change from baseline quality of life at 1 month and 3 months

  • Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)

    Change from baseline positive affect and negative affect at 1 month and 3 months

  • Impact of Events Scale - Revised (IES-R)

    Change from baseline impact of events at 1 month and 3 months

  • +13 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Emotional Awareness and Expression

EXPERIMENTAL

Emotional awareness and expression training (EAET) is an emotional processing intervention.

Behavioral: Emotional Awareness and Expression Training

Relaxation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Relaxation training will teach patients different relaxation training skills.

Behavioral: Relaxation Training

Wait-list control

NO INTERVENTION

Standard medical care until the 3-month follow-up is completed

Interventions

An emotional processing intervention, which aims to reduce stress by helping patients become aware of, and express emotions related to stressful life experiences, as well as teaching patients how to relate to others differently.

Emotional Awareness and Expression

Teaches patients different relaxation training skills to reduce their distress and discomfort (i.e., progressive muscle relaxation, applied relaxation, or guided imagery.

Relaxation

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • To be eligible to participate, individuals must meet the Rome III criteria for IBS. That is, they must report that they have had:
  • recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort, or
  • a change in stool frequency or form,
  • at least three days per month, in the last three months, and
  • that they have been given this diagnosis by a physician. They must also report having pain and discomfort of at least two days per week at time of screening.

You may not qualify if:

  • Individuals who report having post-infectious IBS,
  • organic gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), immunodeficiency,
  • a current psychotic disorder,
  • drug or alcohol dependence within the past two years, and
  • those who are unable to communicate in English will be excluded.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan, 48067, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Thakur ER, Holmes HJ, Lockhart NA, Carty JN, Ziadni MS, Doherty HK, Lackner JM, Schubiner H, Lumley MA. Emotional awareness and expression training improves irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017 Dec;29(12):10.1111/nmo.13143. doi: 10.1111/nmo.13143. Epub 2017 Jun 22.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Interventions

Relaxation Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Colonic Diseases, FunctionalColonic DiseasesIntestinal DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeuticsBehavior TherapyPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Mark A. Lumley, Ph.D.

    Wayne State University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 13, 2013

First Posted

June 25, 2013

Study Start

June 1, 2013

Primary Completion

March 1, 2015

Study Completion

March 1, 2015

Last Updated

May 6, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-05

Locations