Supporting Children and Young People to Live Well With Coeliac Disease: A RCT

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SURREY · Apr 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping children and young people with coeliac disease and their families manage the challenges of a strict gluten-free diet. While following this diet is essential for their health, it can also affect the emotional well-being and quality of life of both the children and their caregivers. The trial aims to test a self-help psychological resource designed to support families in coping with these challenges. It will involve 172 families, where caregivers will complete questionnaires about their well-being and their child’s dietary management. Families will be divided into two groups: one will receive the psychological resources right away, while the other will wait five months before receiving them.

To be eligible for the trial, caregivers must have a child aged between 7 and 11 who has been diagnosed with coeliac disease and be willing to participate in the self-help program. Caregivers must also be able to provide informed consent. Participants can expect to fill out follow-up questionnaires at one, two, and five months to evaluate the effectiveness of the resources on managing the gluten-free diet and improving overall well-being. This study is important because it aims to provide much-needed psychological support for families dealing with coeliac disease, which is often overlooked in current healthcare practices.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Caregiver(s) with a CYP between 7-11 years of age who report a diagnosis of coeliac disease Willingness to take part in a self-help psychological intervention Participant must have the ability to provide informed consent/assent. Caregiver(s) who consent to the study will still be able to take part, even if their CYP does not provide assent to complete outcome measures
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Families participating in another intervention-based research will not be eligible Participant identified by clinical team as not appropriate (e.g. undergoing treatment for other complex difficulties) English proficiency unsuitable for participation in self-help psychological intervention and/ or online survey.