Grant: Project Grant

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of lifelong digestive disorders, mainly ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, that cause ongoing inflammation in the gut. People with IBD often experience symptoms like stomach pain, frequent diarrhea (sometimes with blood), extreme tiredness and unintended weight loss, which can significantly impact their daily lives. Between 30 to 50% of adults with IBD also have mental health issues like anxiety and depression. This is a serious issue, given the links between poor mental health and worsening IBD symptoms. Online mind-body wellness programs are effective strategies for improving mental health in people with IBD. Still, research shows that men are less likely to enrol in these programs or access mental health services in general. Based on qualitative focus groups with men with IBD, we have co-developed a men-specific online wellness program. The program contains activities to build mental strength, improve physical power, and increase knowledge about IBD. Participants will be encouraged to engage with the program 90 minutes per week (< 15 minutes per day). The EMPOWERING-Men study will investigate whether a men-specific, 12-week online mind-body wellness program is feasible and acceptable to men with IBD. We will conduct a two-arm, feasibility and pilot randomized controlled trial with men from across Canada. Participants will complete questionnaires about their health and quality of life and be interviewed at the end of the study. This study will be the first to evaluate the feasibility of a tailored online mental wellness program for men with IBD. If proven to be feasible, the results of this study can be used as a foundation for a future RCT in men with IBD and potentially other chronic diseases.