Nursing Management of IBS Research Study

Below is a detailed explanation of the Nursing Management of IBS study.

 Study Title: Nursing Management of IBS-Improving Outcomes

Study Description:

The purpose of this study is to help persons with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manage their symptoms. 

Over about 8 months you will:                  

1)  Be assessed during the baseline phase (1 month)

• Research nurses will interview you about your health and mental health
• You will fill out some questionnaires and wear a heart monitor over one night to monitor your heart rate
• To test for bowel inflammation, you will collect a stool sample, collect urine over one day, collect 4 saliva samples, and donate 4 teaspoon of blood (½ to test for inflammation and ½ to test for genetic patterns)
• You will fill out a daily diary about bowel symptom for 4 weeks

2) Based on chance, be randomly assigned to either of two groups during the Treatment Phase (3 months)

• Group one: you will be assigned to receive the individualized management training program with an experienced nurse (without cost to you)
• Group two: continue your usual care

3) Complete 2 Follow-up Assessments (1 month each): At the end of the treatment phase and again 4 months later

• You will fill out some questionnaires
• You will collect a stool sample, collect 4 saliva samples, and have blood drawn to repeat the test for inflammation. We may ask you for an additional 2 teaspoons of blood to repeat the test for genetic patterns.
• You will fill out a daily diary about bowel symptom for 4 weeks

Eligibility Criteria:

You must be 18-70 years old and have a medical diagnosis of IBS.

Exclusions (conditions that would prevent a volunteer from participating in this study):

This study would not be right for you if…

 …you have other chronic gastrointestinal problems such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

…you have had surgery on your bowel

…you have other significant health problems

…you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the next year

Location:

Northgate Executive I (a block south of the Northgate mall) and University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, Washington

Compensation:

You may receive up to $500 for completing this study.

Principal Investigator:

Margaret Heitkemper, PhD, RN School of Nursing

Co-Investigator:

Monica Jarrett, PhD, RN School of Nursing

For further information about this study, please contact:

Research Team:  206-616-9955

Website:  www.uwibs.org

Email: ibscsm3@uw.edu

(Confidentiality and anonymity cannot be guaranteed on e-mail transmissions. )