Tests an acceptance-based therapy for Veterans with bowel disease and mental health conditions
Tests a one-day acceptance-based therapy in Veterans with inflammatory bowel disease and mental health conditions.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: ACT for Veterans With IBD and Mental Health Challenges
Key facts
- Where
- Houston, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TXHouston, United StatesNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Trial code
- NCT07397195
- Record updated
- 9 February 2026
- Original description
Many Veterans with gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), also have mental health conditions. IBD and mental health conditions can worsen one another through the brain-gut axis, leading to dramatic deficits in psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QOL). Yet, few Veterans with comorbid IBD and mental health conditions receive psychotherapy and no evidence-based psychotherapies have been tested in Veterans with these comorbidities. Adapting brief acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to the specific to the needs of these patients and embedding treatment into routine gastroenterology care may increase Veterans' access to efficient and effective rehabilitative care. This study aims to adapt and test an integrated, 1-Day ACT intervention tailored to the specific needs of Veterans with IBD and mental health conditions to improve psychosocial functioning and QOL.Read full original descriptionShow less
Using Acceptance and Commitment Training to Promote Rehabilitation and Engagement in Values-Centered Living in Veterans Adapting to Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Mental Health Challenges (RECLAIM)
Many Veterans with gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), also have mental health conditions. IBD and mental health conditions can worsen one another through the brain-gut axis, leading to dramatic deficits in psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QOL). Yet, few Veterans with comorbid IBD and mental health conditions receive psychotherapy and no evidence-based psychotherapies have been tested in Veterans with these comorbidities. Adapting brief acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to the specific to the needs of these patients and embedding treatment into routine gastroenterology care may increase Veterans' access to efficient and effective rehabilitative care. This study aims to adapt and test an integrated, 1-Day ACT intervention tailored to the specific needs of Veterans with IBD and mental health conditions to improve psychosocial functioning and QOL.
Inclusion: Diagnosis of IBD as confirmed by the medical record; Current diagnosis of a depressive, anxiety, or trauma-related disorder.
Exclusion: Severe IBD symptoms that would prevent full participation in the study (i.e., hospitalized in the past 30 days, surgery in the past 30 days); Significant cognitive impairment; Uncontrolled psychosis or bipolar disorder; Active suicidality.