Resistance training in adults with Crohn’s disease
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11470370 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11470370 |
| Protocol serial number | 35164 |
| Sponsor | Northumbria University Newcastle |
| Funders | Northumbria University, PROCARE ApS |
- Submission date
- 11/12/2017
- Registration date
- 12/12/2017
- Last edited
- 12/08/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Digestive System
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Crohn’s disease (CD) is one of the main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a name given to long-term conditions which causes inflammation (swelling) in the digestive system (gut). Although it can affect any part of the gut, it is most common at the end of the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) or the colon (the large intestine). It is characterised by different phases of disease activity, alternating between remission (when the disease is not active) and flare-ups (when the disease is active and causing symptoms). Currently, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, and so treatments tend to be geared towards ensuring the disease remains in remission. Currently, little is known about the effects of exercise in CD; however it could have several beneficial effects such as reducing fatigue and inflammation, increasing muscle and bone strength, and improving overall quality of life. The aim of this study is to look into the effects of a resistance exercise programme in people suffering from CD.
Who can participate?
People aged 16 years or older who have mildly active or inactive Crohn’s disease.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive usual care only. Those in the second group receive usual care plus a six-month resistance training programme involving a combination of supervised and unsupervised exercise sessions. Each session begins with a five-minute warm up, then approximately 45 minutes of whole-body resistance training (using body weight and elastic bands for resistance), and a three-minute cool down. At the start of the study, and then again at three and six months, participants complete a number of questionnaires and physical tests in order to find out if there has been any change to their muscle function, fatigue and quality of life. At the start of the study and at six months, participants are asked to provide a stool (faeces) sample so that the level of inflammation in their intestines can be assessed, as well as undertaking a bone scan to assess changes in bone mineral density.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Potential benefits of participating include improvements in muscle function, bone strength, fatigue levels and quality of life. There are no direct risks of participating, as the exercise programmes have been found to be safe and participants’ progress will be closely overseen by a study investigator.
Where is the study run from?
1. Northumbria University (UK)
2. Freeman Hospital (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2016 to September 2019
Who is funding the study?
1. Northumbria University (UK)
2. PROCARE ApS (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Garry Tew
Contact information
Scientific
Associate Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences
Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Northumbria University
Northumberland Building
Northumberland Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-8610-0613 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Physical, Rehabilitation |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Effects of a 6-month practical resistance training programme on muscle function and bone mineral density in adults with inactive or mildly active Crohn’s disease: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| Study objectives | The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a 6-month resistance training programme on muscle function and bone mineral density in adults with inactive or mildly-active Crohn’s disease. |
| Ethics approval(s) | North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee,17/11/2017, ref: 17/NE/0308 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Gastroenterology, Primary sub-specialty: Gastroenterology; UKCRC code/ Disease: Oral and Gastrointestinal/ Other diseases of the digestive system |
| Intervention | Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive usual care only. Those in the second group receive usual care plus a six-month resistance training programme involving a combination of supervised and unsupervised exercise sessions. Each session will begin with a five-minute warm up, then approximately 45 minutes of whole-body resistance training (using body weight and elastic bands for resistance), and a three-minute cool down. At the start of the study, and then again at three and six months, participants complete a number of questionnaires and physical tests in order to find out if there has been any change to their muscle function, fatigue and quality of life. At the start of the study and at six months, participants are asked to provide a stool (faeces) sample so that the level of inflammation in their intestines can be assessed, as well as undertaking a bone scan to assess changes in bone mineral density. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Bone mineral density at the femoral neck, greater trochanter and lumbar spine (L2- L4) is measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 6 months |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Quality of life is measured using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBDQ) at baseline, 3 months and 6 months |
| Completion date | 31/10/2019 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 50 |
| Total final enrolment | 47 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Age 16 years or older 2. Clinical diagnosis of Crohn’s disease for at least 4 weeks before screening visit 3. Inactive (<150 on Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [CDAI]) or mildly active (150-219 on CDAI) Crohn’s disease assessed no greater than 4 weeks before screening visit 4. Faecal calprotectin <250mcg/g recorded no greater than 4 weeks before screening visit 5. Stable medications for at least 4 weeks before screening visit 6. Able to provide written informed consent and complete the study questionnaires 7. Able to travel to the research centre for assessment visits and exercise sessions |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Absolute contraindications or co-morbidities to exercise testing and training as defined by the American College of Sports Medicine 2. Deemed unsuitable to undertake resistance exercise (assessed by gastroenterologist/physician) 3. Planned major surgery within the first 6 months after randomisation 4. Female planning pregnancy within the first 6 months after randomisation 5. Pregnant 6. Current participation in > 2 sessions/week of resistance exercise (self-reported) 7. Participation in another clinical trial for with concurrent participation is deemed inappropriate |
| Date of first enrolment | 08/01/2018 |
| Date of final enrolment | 28/02/2019 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
United Kingdom
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Garry Tew, Email: garry.tew@northumbria.ac.uk, anonymised participant level data. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/09/2020 | 30/10/2020 | Yes | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version 2.1 | 28/01/2019 | 12/08/2022 | No | No |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN11470370_Protocol_V2.1_28Jan2019.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
12/08/2022: Protocol file uploaded.
30/10/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
06/02/2019: The following changes were made:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 07/01/2019 to 28/02/2019.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 27/09/2019 to 31/10/2019.
