RECLAIM: A one-day ACT program to help veterans with inflammatory bowel disease and mental health challenges
Official title: Using Acceptance and Commitment Training to Promote Rehabilitation and Engagement in Values-Centered Living in Veterans Adapting to Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Mental Health Challenges (RECLAIM)
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11349443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A quick, practical ACT-based program delivered in GI clinics to help veterans with IBD manage symptoms and improve mood and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2RD000689-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349443 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with inflammatory bowel disease who also have depressive, anxiety, or trauma-related disorders and are seen in GI clinics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without significant mental health symptoms or not receiving GI care may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts a one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop for veterans who have both inflammatory bowel disease and mental health challenges. It aims to fit into routine GI visits, making evidence-based psychosocial care more accessible. If successful, participants may experience better psychosocial functioning and overall well-being as they navigate their IBD and mental health needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans could experience improved quality of life and better psychosocial functioning through integrated care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous one-day ACT workshops have shown improvements in access to care and engagement for various chronic conditions, though this exact integrated GI-mental health approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shanahan, Mackenzie — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shanahan, Mackenzie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microplastics, gut inflammation, and mood in digestive disease (animal study)
This project looks at how tiny plastic particles might affect mood-related behavior in an animal model of inflammatory bowel disease.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
-
Long-term HIV prevention and mental health support for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
A long-term program in rural Uganda tests if combining economic support and family strengthening helps teenage girls stay HIV-free and improve mental health as they grow into young adults.
-
Johns Hopkins Total Worker Health Center focusing on mental health
A nationwide center at Johns Hopkins is working to improve mental health and well-being among workers by studying workplace health strategies and translating findings into practical tools.
-
Maternal mental health help to protect kids’ breathing health
A mother-focused mental health program is tested to see if improving moms’ mood can also support better breathing and fewer asthma symptoms in children.
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.