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 type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Jette) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 16, 2023 |
| Main results expected | January 2, 2030 |
| Study ends | January 2, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | May 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05680766 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
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UZ Brussel
Jette, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sébastien Kindt
- Email: sebastien.kindt@uzbrussel.be
- Phone: +32 2 477
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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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.
-
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.
-
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.
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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.
-
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.
-
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.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.