Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 60

Cardiovascular exercise for improving symptoms in IBS patients with a sedentary lifestyle

Official title: Feasibility Assessment of Cardiovascular Endurance Training for the Symptomatic Improvement of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients With a Sedentary and Non-active Lifestyle.

Run by Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel · NCT05680766 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if regular cardiovascular exercise can help people with irritable bowel syndrome who don't get much physical activity feel better and improve their symptoms.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorUniversitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Jette)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 16, 2023
Main results expectedJanuary 2, 2030
Study endsJanuary 2, 2030
Registry record updatedMay 6, 2026
Trial IDNCT05680766 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-60 who meet the ROME IV criteria for IBS and have a sedentary lifestyle.

Probably not a fit

Patients with cardiorespiratory disorders, active psychiatric conditions, or other significant gastrointestinal disorders may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This exploratory study aims to assess the impact of cardiovascular endurance training (CET) on the severity of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who lead a sedentary lifestyle. The study will evaluate changes in IBS symptom severity and explore underlying mechanisms such as dietary adaptations, mental well-being, and alterations in the gut microbiome. By focusing on a small group of patients, the study seeks to gather preliminary data on how regular physical activity may influence IBS symptoms and related factors. The findings could provide insights into lifestyle modifications as a management option for IBS.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could offer a new non-pharmacological approach to alleviate symptoms of IBS through physical activity.

How similar studies have gone: While research on physical activity's role in IBS is limited, similar studies exploring lifestyle modifications have shown promising results.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged 18 - 60 years;
* Fulfilling the ROME IV criteria for Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
* Moderate symptom severity as defined by a IBS-Symptom Severity Scale \> 175;
* Sedentary lifestyle defined as SIT-Q-7D \> 8h/day;
* Physically inactive defined as \< 150min/week on the IPAQ score

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiorespiratory disorder hampering participation in a program of physical exercise as evidenced by the sport + keuringsartsen (SKA) questionnaire.
* Clinical suspicion of an organic disorder different from IBS (patients can be included when this disorder had been excluded);
* Known inflammatory bowel disorder;
* Known intestinal motility disorder;
* Alcohol (defined as more than 14 U per week) or other substance abuse;
* Active psychiatric disorder;
* Known systemic or auto-immune disorder with implication for the GI system;
* Prior abdominal surgery (with the exception of appendectomy or cholecystectomy more than 6 months ago);
* Any prior diagnosis of cancer other than basocellular carcinoma;
* Current chemotherapy;
* History of gastro-enteritis in the past 8 weeks;
* Change in diet in the past 8 weeks;
* Dietary supplements unless taken at a stable dose for more than 8 weeks;
* Antibiotics, pre-, pro-, post-biotics or any combination during the past 8 weeks;
* Treatment with neuromodulators (one neuromodulator taken at a stable dose for more than 12 weeks is allowed);
* Treatment with spasmolytic agents, opioids, loperamide, gelatine tannate or mucoprotect-ants during the past 8 weeks.

Where it's running

  • UZ Brussel
    Jette, Belgium
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Liver Fat and Scarring in People Suspected of Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity

    This study looks to see if people with non-celiac wheat sensitivity have liver fat or fibrosis and how this relates to IBS/FD and celiac disease.

    Recruiting at 2 sites University of Palermo · Palermo, Palermo and 1 other locations · NCT07750535

  • Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

    This study will test whether repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce diarrhea, abdominal pain, and improve quality of life in adults with IBS-D.

    Recruiting The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University · Suzhou, Jiangsu · NCT07581756

  • Brenipatide (LY3537031) for IBS with constipation

    This trial will test whether brenipatide (LY3537031), given by a small under-the-skin injection, helps adults with IBS-C have less belly pain and more normal bowel movements compared with a placebo.

    Recruiting at 64 sites Phase 2 Eli Lilly and Company · Mesa, Arizona and 69 other locations · NCT07545772

  • Brenipatide (LY3537031) treatment for adults with IBS‑D

    This will test whether brenipatide (LY3537031) given under the skin helps adults with IBS‑D reduce belly pain and improve stool consistency compared with placebo.

    Recruiting at 80 sites Phase 2 Eli Lilly and Company · Mesa, Arizona and 88 other locations · NCT07545759

  • Camlipixant for IBS-D and IBS-M: a test in adults

    This study tests camlipixant versus placebo in adults with IBS with diarrhea or mixed IBS to see if it helps reduce symptoms and is safe.

    Recruiting at 114 sites Phase 2 GlaxoSmithKline · Anniston, Alabama and 113 other locations · NCT07519395

  • Defining Objective Markers of Dietary Compliance in IBS

    This study tests whether a biomarker in stool or urine can reflect how much certain carbohydrates you eat, helping manage IBS.

    Recruiting University of Michigan · Ann Arbor, Michigan · NCT07494968

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.