NCT03370614

Pilot Study of the Physiological Effects of an Integrative Medicine Approach in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Thomas Jefferson University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Although underutilized, what is emerging as one of the best ways of evaluating inflammation in the body, particularly in difficult to observe regions, is through the use of Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). FDG is taken up in the body much like glucose and is particularly taken up in areas of inflammation where there is increased metabolism. Therefore, this technology can be used to assess inflammation, and measure the reduction in inflammation as the result of integrative interventions that target dietary modifications designed to reduce inflammation. With this proposed study, we plan to use FDG PET-MRI technology to develop a more specific and sensitive approach for evaluating areas of inflammation associated with IBS and measuring improvements in that inflammation in response to effective integrative interventions.

Detailed description

The typical goal of the integrative medicine approach is to develop an individualized plan to help restore homeostasis to the gastrointestinal system targeting a reduction in inflammation as an important element in helping to relieve symptoms. One of the most problematic issues though is to determine where in the GI tract the inflammation is occurring and then evaluating improvements in inflammation as any intervention proceeds. Participants will undergo a small battery of diagnostic tests that include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). A secondary goal of this study is to evaluate the utility of FDG PET-MRI for assessing reductions in inflammation in patients managed with an integrative medicine approach based upon diet and nutritional counselling.

Conditions

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	IBS Group	Participants will receive approximately 2 months of dietary and nutritional counseling.
OTHER	Healthy Control Group	Participants will not receive any dietary or nutritional counseling.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-05-04
• Primary completion: 2025-06-30
• Completion: 2025-06-30
• First posted: 2017-12-12
• Last updated: 2024-11-29

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States