Diet Education App for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Overseen By Somyeh Raiesdana, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Disqualifiers: Short bowel, Ostomy, Strictures, Malnutrition, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 4 weeks

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it focuses on diet education, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What data supports the effectiveness of the MyIBDDiet app treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Research shows that mobile health apps can help people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) manage their diet and lifestyle, which can improve their overall health. A study on a similar app, IBD NutriCare, found that most patients found it convenient and helpful for tracking their diet, suggesting that apps like MyIBDDiet could be effective in supporting dietary management for IBD patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Diet Education App for Inflammatory Bowel Disease safe for humans?

The available research does not provide specific safety data for the Diet Education App or similar apps like MyIBDDiet. However, a study on a similar app, IBD NutriCare, found it to be convenient and acceptable for patients, suggesting it is generally safe for use. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is the MyIBDDiet app treatment different from other treatments for inflammatory bowel disease?

The MyIBDDiet app is unique because it provides a digital platform for self-managing diet and lifestyle specifically for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, offering personalized dietary guidance and real-time tracking, which is not typically available in traditional treatments. ^{1 2 4 6 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an app designed for diet education can help patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) learn about healthy eating. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Is the app easy to use? * Is the app useful? Researchers will compare the diet app to see if it is better at teaching patients about a healthy diet than the standard information they may receive from their doctor. Participants will be asked to use the app for one month and answer surveys to see how easy the app is to use and if it leads to healthier eating.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are interested in managing their diet through an educational app. The study seeks individuals willing to use the app for a month and provide feedback via surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

My condition is currently stable.

Not pregnant

Willing and able to comply with all required study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

Conditions requiring dietary restrictions (e.g. Celiac disease, kidney disease, diabetes, eosinophilic esophagitis)

I have a high output from my ostomy.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Observation

Standard of Care group does not use the app for the first 30 days, while the MyIBDDiet users group uses the app

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for baseline assessment

Treatment

Standard of Care group begins using the app, while MyIBDDiet users continue using the app

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for follow-up assessment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in diet quality and adherence to the Mediterranean diet

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• MyIBDDiet app

Trial Overview The MyIBDDiet app, designed to educate IBD patients on healthy eating habits, is being tested for ease of use and effectiveness compared to standard dietary advice from doctors.

Participant Groups

Group I: MyIBDDiet users Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will use the MyIBDDiet app for 60 days and compared with the standard of care group.

Group II: Standard of Care Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will not use the app for the first 30 days, then begin using it for the following 30 days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials

957

Recruited

437,000+

Findings from Research

Out of 1,512 mobile health apps identified for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), only six met the criteria for quality and relevance, highlighting a gap in effective self-management tools for diet and lifestyle.

The apps 'My IBD Care: Crohn's and Colitis' and 'LyfeMD' received the highest ratings for quality and functionality, including behavior tracking, suggesting they may be beneficial for patients managing IBD, but their actual impact on health outcomes needs further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identification and Evaluation of Mobile Applications for Self-Management of Diet and Lifestyle for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Gold, SL., Chiew, BA., Rajagopalan, V., et al.[2023]

The 'myfood24 Healthcare' app was found to be acceptable for both patients and healthcare professionals in a feasibility study involving 48 participants from weight management and gastroenterology surgery programs.

Compliance with the app was reasonable, with 50% of users recording their dietary intake for four or more days, indicating potential for effective dietary monitoring and support in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Usability of myfood24 Healthcare and Mathematical Diet Optimisation in Clinical Populations: A Pilot Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial. Threapleton, DE., Beer, SL., Foley, DJ., et al.[2023]

A study involving 100 patients with inflammatory bowel disease showed that using smartphone apps for monitoring symptoms and biomarkers is as effective as standard face-to-face care in maintaining quality of life and symptom management over 12 months.

The use of smartphone apps significantly reduced the number of outpatient appointments needed, indicating a more efficient management approach for patients in remission, particularly for those with mild-to-moderate disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial of the Use of the Smartphone-Based Health Applications IBDsmart and IBDoc in the Care of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. McCombie, A., Walmsley, R., Barclay, M., et al.[2021]

Diet plays a significant role in managing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and personalized dietary strategies may help improve symptoms and nutritional status for individual patients.

The review emphasizes the need for tailored nutritional advice based on the unique clinical and molecular characteristics of IBD, suggesting that personalized approaches could lead to better management of inflammation and overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Personalized Dietary Regimens for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Wellens, J., Vissers, E., Matthys, C., et al.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identification and Evaluation of Mobile Applications for Self-Management of Diet and Lifestyle for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. [2023]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Validation of a Smartphone Application for Telenutrition in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. [2023]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Usability of myfood24 Healthcare and Mathematical Diet Optimisation in Clinical Populations: A Pilot Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial. [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Assessment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-Development of the Groningen IBD Nutritional Questionnaires (GINQ). [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial of the Use of the Smartphone-Based Health Applications IBDsmart and IBDoc in the Care of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. [2021]

6. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review and content analysis of mobile apps for inflammatory bowel disease management using the mobile application rating scale (MARS): Systematic search in app stores. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A multicentre Study of Nutrition Risk Assessment in Adult Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Attending Outpatient Clinics. [2020]

8. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Personalized Dietary Regimens for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. [2023]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Specific Carbohydrate Diet Virtual Teaching Kitchen Curriculum Promotes Knowledge and Confidence in Caregivers of Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. [2023]