Personalized Exercise Coaching to Improve Quality of Life in Pediatric IBD

Summary

The primary objective of this research is to gain novel insights into the potential of physical activity in reducing fatigue, improving QoL and GI manifestations in children with IBD. The study design will be composed of two parallel groups to investigate the role of physical activity: on the one hand patients with higher exercise habits, on the other hand children with lower exercise habits. To this end, the two groups of pediatric IBD patients will undergo a 24 weeks exercise programme, adjunctive to their current treatment, quantified by a Health Smartwatch (Garmin Inc.). The primary outcomes will then be characterized by the PedsQoL-MFS, IMPACT-III, PCDAI and PUCAI questionnaires, as well as VO2-max quantification. The proposed research will confirm or refute current hypotheses about physical training suggesting an improvement in quality of life (QoL), fatigue and bowel symptoms in children with IBD. Furthermore, investigating the effectiveness on secondary outcomes including muscle strength and aerobic capacity will be a new contribution to current knowledge.

Conditions

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Intake session to define individualized physical activity goals

The intake session of a 24 week exercise programme, designed by "Physical Activity on Prescription" (Bewegen Op Verwijzing), will define individualized physical activity goals in collaboration with the child, which encourages autonomy and active participation.

BEHAVIORAL

Personalized Motivational Coaching

A personalized coaching program designed by a multidisciplinary team to support physically inactive individuals in adopting a more active lifestyle. The intervention is characterized by professional guidance from a qualified and motivational coach with continuous follow-up. It is a holistic family-centered coaching trajectory for children aged six to 18 years. Its primary aim is to empower patients by equipping them with the necessary tools to actively engage in their treatment, while ensuring high-quality care as close to home as possible.

BEHAVIORAL

24 Week Exercise Programme

A development of a 24 week tailored physical activity plan based on an initial assessment of PAI. The personalized exercise plan will be co-created with each child and their family, aiming to increase physical activity levels in a structured and supportive manner. The intervention will span a minimum duration of six months, in order to reduce the risk of drop-out and to promote long-term sustainability of behavioral change.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiteit Antwerpen

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Els Van de Vijver, MD, PhD · University Hospital, Antwerp

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-01

Primary Completion

2027-04-01

Completion

2027-08-01

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations