Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn&Amp;#39;s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

The gut-brain connection is important for good health and when it is disrupted it can worsen existing chronic disease. Studies have shown that chronic stress has negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract such as inflammation and disruption of the beneficial bacteria that live there. These negative effects of chronic stress can lead to flare-ups of IBD. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured 8 week program that aims to reduce stress by teaching mindfulness techniques. Recent research in people living with IBD suggests that MBSR could improve one's quality of life by reducing stress levels. The study aims to investigate the effects of MBSR on both the mental health of people living with IBD, and their physical health. The investigators are studying people who are participating in an MBSR program as well as those receiving standard of care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. This study will assess how effective the MBSR program is compared to standard of care at reducing distress and signs of stress and inflammation in people living with IBD. This study aims to provide valuable insights into how mindfulness techniques could be used to support individuals living with IBD. Ultimately, this research aims to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by this challenging condition.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and is increasingly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. Although anti-TNFα therapies are effective in reducing disease activity and improving quality of life, they are frequently associated with side effects such as fatigue, weight gain, and joint pain, which may be mitigated by regular physical activity. Emerging evidence suggests that light to moderate physical activity may help reduce systemic and intestinal inflammation and improve IBD-related outcomes. However, access to structured physical activity programs remains limited, and personal or professional constraints may hinder participation. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and impact of a remotely delivered Adapted Physical Activity (APA) program on the quality of life of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This study evaluates the effects of a 12-weeks remote APA intervention on quality of life as the primary outcome. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in anxiety and depression, fatigue levels, IBD activity, and smoking behavior. The findings from this study may inform the development of scalable, non-pharmacological strategies to support symptom management and well-being in individuals with IBD.