Efficacy of Guided Imagery Therapy Mobile Application for Functional Abdominal Pain

Launched by BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · Oct 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how effective a mobile app that provides guided imagery therapy is for helping children with chronic abdominal pain, which is often caused by functional abdominal pain disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Guided imagery therapy involves listening to calming audio sessions that encourage relaxation and positive thinking. The trial aims to find out if using this app can reduce pain for children aged 7 to 12 who have been experiencing significant abdominal discomfort.

To participate, children need to have a history of abdominal pain and meet specific criteria, such as having a certain level of pain on a scale and being able to understand English. If eligible, children will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will start using the app right away for eight weeks, while the other group will wait for eight weeks before using it. Throughout the study, participants will keep a diary of their abdominal pain and other related symptoms. This will help researchers see if the app makes a difference in managing their pain compared to usual care.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Study staff will enroll children with functional abdominal pain disorders and their primary caregiver for this study.
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Texas Children's Pediatrics patients 7 to 12 years old at enrollment
• • A Rome IV Functional Abdominal Pain Disorder as defined by a 2-week abdominal pain and stooling diary
• • Both children and their primary caregivers must be able to read and communicate in English proficiently to understand the intervention's audio therapy sessions and psychometric instruments.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior participation in principal investigator's related feasibility or usability study
• • Previous abdominal surgeries
• • Co-morbid conditions associated with abdominal pain (e.g., cystic fibrosis)
• • Autism
• • Significant development delay
• • Psychosis
• • Prior experience with cognitive behavioral therapy or guided imagery therapy to treat chronic abdominal pain
• • Alarm symptoms that warrant further medical evaluation (e.g., blood in stool)