Understanding how diet and gut movement affect irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
Official title: Implications of gastrointestinal motility and diet on irritable bowel syndrome associated symptoms
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11057116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how what you eat affects your gut movement if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), using a special patch to track your gut activity and symptoms for a week while you keep a food diary, with the hope of finding out which foods might be causing your issues to help improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DK139507-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, both adults and children, who experience symptoms related to food intake.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with IBS who do not have dietary triggers or those with other gastrointestinal disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between gastrointestinal motility and dietary factors in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Using a non-invasive Wireless Patch System, the study will monitor gut activity and symptoms over a week while participants track their food intake. The goal is to identify specific dietary triggers and their impact on bowel function, which could lead to improved treatment strategies for IBS. By focusing on real-time data collection, the research aims to provide insights that traditional diagnostic methods may overlook.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective dietary recommendations and treatments for patients suffering from IBS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding dietary impacts on IBS symptoms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benitez, Alain J — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Benitez, Alain J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Proteolytic Activity-Guided Fecal Microbiota Transplant for PI-IBS
A pilot study will test a targeted fecal microbiota transplant to help adults with post-infection irritable bowel syndrome feel better and have fewer GI symptoms.
-
IBS after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to irritable bowel syndrome
This project explores whether people who had SARS-CoV-2 infection may develop IBS and what factors raise that risk.
-
Psyllium with meals for fructan-triggered pain in children with IBS
A small study in children with IBS will test whether adding psyllium with meals helps reduce tummy pain caused by fructan in certain foods.
-
VR-based CBT for IBS: at-home treatment idea with guided virtual reality therapy
A pilot study will test whether a home-based VR cognitive behavioral therapy program helps people with irritable bowel syndrome feel better and manage symptoms compared with a sham VR experience.
-
Understanding how alcohol and the gut’s serotonin system affect IBS
This project looks at how alcohol and the gut’s serotonin system may influence irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in people who have IBS.
-
Sex differences in how the brain, gut, and microbes interact in IBS
A large NIH grant is studying how sex differences in brain–gut–microbiome interactions relate to IBS and its related symptoms, with a focus on women.
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.