Heart-rate biofeedback and coping skills to help teens with IBD feel less stressed
Official title: A Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Enhanced Behavioral Intervention to Improve Psychological and Disease Functioning in Youth with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11324588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program teaches teens and young adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis breathing and heart‑rate biofeedback skills to lower stress, improve mood, and support gut health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $465,857 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139653-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and young adults diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who can join virtual group sessions and practice breathing and biofeedback exercises are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with severe uncontrolled IBD flares, major cognitive or sensory impairments that prevent participation, or who cannot access or use telehealth may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would join a virtual, group-based program led by clinicians that combines heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback with coping skills training. Participants learn paced breathing and use simple biofeedback tools to see and change their body's stress responses. The project randomly assigns some people to start right away and others to a waitlist so researchers can compare outcomes. The team measures HRV, anxiety and depression symptoms, and IBD disease functioning over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce anxiety and depression and help improve IBD symptoms and quality of life for young people.
How similar studies have gone: Prior feasibility work by this team found HRV biofeedback acceptable and showed preliminary benefits in youth with IBD, but a larger randomized trial is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reed, Bonney — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Reed, Bonney
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.