RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Vibration Exercise for Crohn's to Observe Response

This study is investigating if whole body vibration exercise can improve the quality of life and reduce symptoms for people living with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is a long-term condition affecting the digestive system, causing unpredictable and often debilitating symptoms like pain and fatigue. Many people with Crohn's find it hard to exercise, but whole body vibration involves standing or squatting on a vibrating plate for a shorter time, potentially offering similar benefits. Researchers want to understand if a supervised 6-week program of this exercise can help adults with mild to moderate Crohn's disease feel better and ease symptoms such as tiredness. This research aims to explore a potentially simple, safe, and low-cost way to improve well-being for those with the condition.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Hertfordshire

Enrolment target

168

Start

31 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2028

Crohn's Disease

What is this study about?

Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in your digestive system. It can lead to uncomfortable and often unpredictable symptoms like tummy pain, diarrhoea, and extreme tiredness. These symptoms can be very disruptive to daily life. Because of this, people with Crohn's often report that their overall quality of life is not as good as others.

Doctors are always looking for new ways to help people with Crohn's feel better, improve their symptoms, and enhance their well-being. Exercise, in general, is known to have many benefits for both physical and mental health. However, people with Crohn's often find it hard to exercise regularly, perhaps due to symptoms or just less time. This study is focusing on a specific type of exercise called 'whole body vibration'. This involves standing or squatting on a special vibrating plate.

The idea behind whole body vibration is that it might offer similar benefits to regular exercise, but in a shorter amount of time and potentially at a lower intensity. This study aims to find out if taking part in a supervised 6-week programme of this vibration exercise can improve how people with mild to moderate Crohn's disease feel, including their overall quality of life and symptoms like fatigue. We need more research to understand both the positive and negative effects this type of exercise might have, and if it could be a helpful option in the future.

Key takeaways

Exploring if vibration exercise helps people with Crohn's disease.
A supervised 6-week exercise programme.
Aims to improve quality of life and reduce fatigue.
For adults aged 18-65 with mild to moderate Crohn's.
Requires stable Crohn's medication.
Not suitable if you have metal implants or other serious health conditions.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease that has been stable for at least four weeks. Your Crohn's should be considered mild to moderately active, and your current medications for Crohn's should have been unchanged for at least four weeks before starting the study. You also need to be able to sign a consent form, fill out questionnaires, and travel to the research centre for exercise sessions and assessments. Importantly, you should not currently be doing more than 60 minutes of focused exercise, like jogging or cycling, each week.

There are also reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you are over 65, have other serious health conditions, or are pregnant or planning to get pregnant within three months. If you are due to have major surgery soon, or if you have any metal implants such as hip, knee, or spinal replacements, you won't be able to join. We also can't include people who find blood tests difficult or who are already taking part in another clinical study that would make it unsuitable.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of Crohn's disease?
Is your Crohn's currently mild to moderately active?
Have your Crohn's medications been stable for at least 4 weeks?
Do you do less than 60 minutes of purposeful exercise per week?
Do you NOT have any orthopaedic metal implants?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you would be asked to participate in a supervised 6-week whole body vibration exercise programme. This involves regular sessions at the research centre. You would also need to attend assessment visits where you would fill out questionnaires about your health and well-being. Blood samples would be taken during these visits. Throughout the study, it's important that your Crohn's medication remains stable. The total duration of your participation would cover the 6-week exercise programme and any follow-up assessments.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer potential benefits, such as an improvement in your quality of life and a reduction in some of your Crohn's symptoms, like fatigue, by trying a new exercise approach. However, as with any research, there are no guarantees you will personally benefit. Potential risks are generally low, given that whole body vibration is usually a safe activity; however, we will carefully monitor you throughout. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Hertfordshire
Verified postcode
Hatfield, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is whole body vibration exercise?

It's a type of exercise where you stand or squat on a special vibrating platform. The vibrations stimulate your muscles and body.

How long does the study last?

The main part of the study involves a supervised exercise programme lasting 6 weeks. There will also be assessment visits.

Will I have to stop my current Crohn's medication?

No, you must keep your medication stable for at least 4 weeks before the study and throughout your participation.

Do I need to be very fit to join?

No, you don't need to be very fit. In fact, if you already do more than 60 minutes of focused exercise per week, you wouldn't be able to join.

What if I have metal implants?

Unfortunately, if you have any orthopaedic implants like hip, knee, or spinal replacements, you wouldn't be able to participate in this study.

How to find out more

Lindsay Bottoms

l.bottoms@herts.ac.uk +441707285685 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.