Myofascial Release Therapy in IBS-C
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Description
The purpose of this study is to find out if myofascial release therapy (MFR), (a massage method that will be used in the belly area), will improve the symptoms in CHOP patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).
The MFR intervention is comprised of 6 once a week in-person visits that will be conducted by a licensed massage therapist. The therapist will train participants in order for them to self-administer MFR therapy at home, daily. Additional study procedures will include IBS symptom recording, wearing a wireless patch and completing dietary recalls. Participation will last approximately 8-9 months which includes in-person visits and remote follow-up (surveys only).
Eligibility and criteria
What to expect
Participants will be screened and if eligible, be placed in one of two groups, (e.g., like the flip of a coin): the intervention group or the waitlist (control) group.
If assigned to the intervention group, participants will wear the wireless patches for up to a week and then start the 6-week MFR therapy immediately.
Participants assigned to the control group will continue to receive standard clinical care for 6 weeks. During this time, they will have two weeks of wearing the patches, at the beginning and end of this waitlist period. The 6-week MFR therapy will start after the waiting period ends.
All participants will receive MFR therapy and education by a licensed massage therapist, once a week, at 6 in-person visits. Visits are scheduled at CHOP's main campus in Philadelphia or at select satellite location (upon availability). MFR is a hands-on technique used in massage therapy, physical therapy and osteopathic medicine to release tightness in muscles, help relieve pain, and to improve motion. Gentle pressure is applied to the muscles by the trained therapist using their hands. Each visit will last around 1 hour.
Participants will be asked to practice MFR at home and to answer questionnaires about symptoms and diet.
After the in-person visits are completed, participants will wear patches for 1 week and there will be 6 additional times where study staff will ask participants (and parents) to complete questionnaires remotely (one week to 6-months post intervention).
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