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Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven


Date of Award

08.05.2026

Program

Disease Management

Amount

$1,485,252.00

Term of Grant

36 months

Project Title

Psychological intervention for fatigue in inflammatory bowel diseases: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Project Description

Fatigue is characterized by a persistent sense of exhaustion that is disproportionate to the level of activity and is not alleviated by rest. Most current IBD treatments primarily focus on reducing inflammation and often neglect the complex, multifactorial aspects of fatigue. This project aims to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention on fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are in biological remission and experience at least moderate levels of fatigue. This intervention combines combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with behavioral strategies, such as structured napping and Graded Activity, to enhance coping and break maladaptive activity patterns. Given the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for chronic IBD-related fatigue, this comprehensive approach aims to stabilize energy levels and enhance overall functioning, with the potential to inform the development of effective interventions for managing fatigue in this population.