NCT04256551

Brief Summary

A high fermented, oligio-, di-, monosaccharide, and polyols (FODMAP) diet has been shown to exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Previous literature has shown significant improvement in IBS symptoms after adherence to a low FODMAP diet (LFD); hence, LFD is a viable treatment method for IBS and IBS-like symptoms. However, adherence to the LFD has proven to be difficult with participants stating that information provided by medical practitioners is generalized and nonspecific requiring them to search for supplementary information to fit their individual needs. Notably, studies that have used a combination of online and in-person methods for treatment have shown improved adherence to the LFD. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a novel machine learning dietary mobile application (ML-App) will improve adherence to the LFD compared to a standard online dietary intervention in populations with IBS or IBS-like symptoms over a 4 week period.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
58

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2020

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

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

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 23, 2020

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 1, 2020

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 5, 2020

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

July 8, 2020

Status Verified

July 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

4 months

First QC Date

February 1, 2020

Last Update Submit

July 7, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

high fermented, oligio-, di-, monosaccharide, and polyolsmobile appirritable bowel syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Rome IV

    A diagnostic tool to determine severity of gastrointestinal dysfunction and the most updated method to diagnose IBS. Participants will complete the self-administered online survey. Based on the results of the survey, we will identify the IBS category. \[e.g., IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS mixed typed (IBS-M), or IBS unsubtyped (IBS-U)\]

    Change from Baseline at week 6

  • IBS-SSS

    A symptom severity screener validated by Francis et al. The IBS-SSS is a short survey filled out by participants which categorizes them into one of four categories based on their responses: \>75-no symptoms, 75 to \<175-mild IBS, 175 to \<300-moderate IBS, and ≥300-severe IBS.23

    Change from Baseline at week 6

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Low FODMAP dietary adherence (LFDA)

    Change from Baseline at week 6

  • Low FODMAP dietary knowledge (LFDK)

    Change from Baseline at week 6

Study Arms (3)

Machine Learning App + Registered Dietitian facilitator

EXPERIMENTAL

The ML-RD group will be provided access to the Heali mobile application as well as a personal RD to provide nutrition support and answer any questions through a real-time messaging system within the mobile app. Group will receive a link to resources regarding the Low FODMAP diet: website is located at http://www.myginutrition.com/news.html and operated by the University of Michigan Health System

Other: Heali mobile application + Registered DietitianOther: Heali mobile applicationOther: Standard Dietary Education

Machine Learning App

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The ML-APP group receives access to the Heali mobile dietary application. Group will receive a link to resources regarding the Low FODMAP diet: website is located at http://www.myginutrition.com/news.html and operated by the University of Michigan Health System

Other: Heali mobile applicationOther: Standard Dietary Education

Standard Dietary Education

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Group will receive a link to resources regarding the Low FODMAP diet: website is located at http://www.myginutrition.com/news.html and operated by the University of Michigan Health System

Other: Standard Dietary Education

Interventions

The Heali mobile application is a dietary resource validated by RD's which uses AI and ML to scan menus and barcodes to provide individuals with information regarding nutritive content and applicability to one's diet using an overall food score and traffic light system. Users have the ability to choose a number of therapeutic diets including LFD, SCD, GERD, and Lectin Free to name a few, but for this study, the app will be isolated to only the LFD. RDs employed by Heali provide real-time messaging to users. For this study, participants will be given access via cell phone login and password (names will not be used). Participant usage information will be de-identified and automatically sent to excel for study authors to perform statistical analysis.

Machine Learning App + Registered Dietitian facilitator

The Heali mobile application is a dietary resource validated by RD's which uses AI and ML to scan menus and barcodes to provide individuals with information regarding nutritive content and applicability to one's diet using an overall food score and traffic light system. Users have the ability to choose a number of therapeutic diets including LFD, SCD, GERD, and Lectin Free to name a few, but for this study, the app will be isolated to only the LFD. For this study, participants will be given access via cell phone login and password (names will not be used). Participant usage information will be de-identified and automatically sent to excel for study authors to perform statistical analysis.

Machine Learning AppMachine Learning App + Registered Dietitian facilitator

An educational guide to the implementation of the elimination and reintroduction phases of the diet, a suitable/unsuitable food guide, 19 substitutes for unsuitable foods, a guide of example meals (i.e., breakfast-6 recipes, lunch-8 recipes, dinner-12 recipes, and snacks/beverages-13 recipes), and tips for reading labels and eating a balanced diet while following the LFD. The website is located at http://www.myginutrition.com/news.html and operated by the University of Michigan Health System.

Machine Learning AppMachine Learning App + Registered Dietitian facilitatorStandard Dietary Education

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • IBS-SSS score ≥ 175 (moderate to severe IBS)
  • meet the Rome IV criteria for IBS of any type including those with IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS mixed typed (IBS-M), or IBS unsubtyped (IBS-U), and had symptoms for the past 3 months or greater
  • own an I-phone
  • have not used a dietary application or elimination diet for IBS in the past 6 months
  • must be willing to participate in the low FODMAP diet intervention over a 4-week period with a monitoring period of 2-weeks
  • agree to complete online questionnaires as frequently as once per week from study start.

You may not qualify if:

  • individuals with food allergies (not food intolerances)
  • smokers
  • those with history of chronic disease (other than gastrointestinal dysfunction)
  • nutrition student or professional
  • prescription medication is permitted unless the medication is to treat IBS (which includes steroids).

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Arizona State University

Phoenix, Arizona, 85004, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Rafferty AJ, Hall R, Johnston CS. A Novel Mobile App (Heali) for Disease Treatment in Participants With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Mar 2;23(3):e24134. doi: 10.2196/24134.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Colonic Diseases, FunctionalColonic DiseasesIntestinal DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System Diseases

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Randomized Controlled Trial
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor and Associate Dean

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 1, 2020

First Posted

February 5, 2020

Study Start

January 23, 2020

Primary Completion

June 1, 2020

Study Completion

June 1, 2020

Last Updated

July 8, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations