Protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in youth with inflammatory bowel disease and depression

What is it about?

This study is the first RCT of a mindfulness-based intervention in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with IBD and depression, a vulnerable group of young patients with a high burden of IBD and significant long-term impairments in multiple areas of functioning. In keeping with research evidence of larger treatment effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in individuals with significant baseline depressive symptoms, the study will recruit participants with clinical diagnosis of depression. The study will be using an adapted MBCT program for AYAs with IBD which, if proven feasible, may become integrated into the early intervention pathways for IBD. The intervention could contribute to altering disease progression, reduce disabling symptoms, and improve long-term outcomes in this group of patients. The study will explore feasibility of the adapted MBCT program by recording sessions attendance, completion rates of home mindfulness practices, recruitment and dropout rates, as well as participants’ MBCT group experiences assessed through focus groups. It will assess the effectiveness of the MBCT program by measuring its impact on various psychological and physical outcomes of IBD and depression, including biological markers of inflammation and brain connectivity. The study has the potential to validate this type of intervention, improve patient outcomes in young IBD sufferers and translate this approach to other chronic illness patient groups. The inclusion of biologic measures of disease activity and functional neuroimaging will allow additional insights into the relationship between IBD and depression, and mindfulness’ mechanism of action.

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