About this trial

This research project will assess how two treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (one dietary and one behavioral) work and for whom. This will be done by assessing moderators (what treatment works for who and in what context) and mediators (how treatment works). Investigators will also assess how the diet and behavioral treatments affect IBS symptoms during treatment. Participants will be randomized to either: i. A FODMAP diet online program that focuses on modifying the consumption of foods high or moderate in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPS) to manage IBS symptoms. or, ii. An Exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-CBT) online program for IBS that focuses on changing symptom-related behaviors which are known to worsen IBS symptoms.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Living in Australia or the United States

Aged 18 years or older

Body Mass Index (BMI) [Equation]18.5kg/m2 and [Equation] 34.9kg/m2

Diagnosed with IBS by a General Practitioner, Family Physician, or Gastroenterologist, or Advanced Specialist Dietitian

Disqualifiers

Presence or known history of other GI disease (e.g. coeliac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease) or history of gastrointestinal cancer

History of major gastrointestinal surgery (not appendectomy, cholecystectomy or hemorrhoidectomy)

Individuals who report alarm symptoms (e.g., blood in stool, recent unexplained/unintentional weight loss >5% body weight, a recent change in bowel habits if >50 years, family history of gastrointestinal cancer or gastrointestinal diseases, large volumes of diarrhea occurring at night, fever associated with gut symptoms, recurrent vomiting, persistent unexplained iron deficiency) will be excluded if appropriate medical investigations have not been conducted, unless written medical approval is provided from a general practitioner, family physical, or gastroenterologist.

Diagnosis of major disease that could explain current gastrointestinal symptoms such as severe diabetic, cardiac, liver, neurological, neuropathy disease

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • FODMAP Diet
  • Exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Treatment groups

235 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Locations

1
University of Melbourne3010, MelbourneVictoria, Australia

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Melbourne

Lead sponsor

Monash University

Collaborator