Online Studies
Here are ways that you can help advance research about IBS – from the comfort of your home. Take part in these online, telephone, or postal studies.
IBS Management Online Study
Do you have IBS? Boston University School of Medicine is doing an online study about irritable bowel syndrome. The purpose of our study is to do research on the management of irritable bowel syndrome.
The entire study is completed online and involves:
- 30 minutes/day online for four consecutive days
- Completing several questionnaires before and after the study
The compensation for participating in the study is $25. At this time we can only enroll U.S. residents. To participate in the study please visit www.bmc.org/ibs.
To learn more about the study please contact us at 617-638-6579 or email at ibs.study@bmc.org.
Understanding Episodes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Online Study
Have you been diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? If so, you are eligible to help out with a one time online survey that may take up to 20 minutes to complete.
Douglas A. Drossman, M.D. and Stephan Weinland, Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders in Chapel Hill have constructed an online survey in order to compile written reports of IBS episodes and gain a better understanding of the symptoms and experiences people have during an IBS episode. The survey is completely confidential and you will not be asked any identifying information.
To participate in the survey, please click on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Ci82_2f2xszPLejV0D5_2b8fRw_3d_3d
IBS Partner Study: Postal Survey
Have you been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Are you living with a spouse or partner?
If you answered YES to both of the above, you are eligible to take part in a simple survey being conducted by the University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders in Chapel Hill. The study seeks to evaluate the effects of IBS on the lives of the spouses and partners of patients.
What does this survey involve?
- A questionnaire to be filled-out by the patient
- A questionnaire to be filled-out by the partner/spouse
The survey will be conducted through postal mail. Participants be compensated $10 for completing the survey.
This study is sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
For information, please contact Amie Rodgers (919-843-8490, amierodg@med.unc.edu).
MORE STUDIES AND TRIALS – PARTICIPATE IN PERSON
A clinical study or trial conducts research to answer specific questions about new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. View a listing on this IFFGD web page of opportunities to participate in digestive health related studies: Go »
Leiden University IBS & Quality of Life: Online Survey
A research group from Leiden University in the Netherlands is conducting an online survey to identify predictors of quality of life among patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The online survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and participants will be entered for a chance to win €100 ($130). The results of the survey will be used to create future interventions to improve quality of life among IBS patients.
The study is available in both English and Dutch:
English version: Go »
Dutch version: Go »
IBS Energy Metabolism Study
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders is seeking volunteers with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to participate in a research study. No travel to UNC is involved.
The purpose of this research study is to learn about the role mitochondria can play in IBS. Mitochondria are the tiny parts inside the cells of our body that make the energy that we need. Mitochondrial disorders involve the ability of the body to produce sufficient energy.
The study will involve 1 phone interview, completion of 1 questionnaire and providing a saliva sample for analysis. There are no visits to UNC required.
You must be 18 years or older, diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome by a physician, and Caucasian. Participants completing the study will receive $25.
Contact: Miranda van Tilburg, PhD
Bioinformatics Building, CB# 7080
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080
Phone: 919-843 0688
Email: Tilburg@unc.edu
To determine if you are eligible, log on to: https://uncfunctionalgi.net/mtdna/mtdna.php
[This study is supported by a grant from IFFGD.]
IBS Symptom Episodes Study
The Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill invites you to participate in an online research study on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The purpose of the study is to learn about the natural history of IBS, that is, how it changes from day to day with respect to bowel symptoms, pain and bloating.
The study will involve keeping track of your IBS symptoms every day for 90 days by logging into a secure website. You will have a unique study ID and password to ensure your responses are anonymous and confidential. There are no visits to UNC required.
To participate:
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- Have been diagnosed by a physician with IBS
- Have daily access to the internet
The study will last for 90 days (3 months). You will receive $30 each month for completing the study. In addition, if you complete your diaries without skipping any days, you will receive an additional $30/month. Therefore, you may receive up to $180 for participating in this study. This study is sponsored by McNeil Pharmaceuticals.
For more information, log on to: https://uncfunctionalgi.net/diarystudy.html, or contact Marsha Turner by phone at 919-962-9787 or email at marsha_turner@med.unc.edu.
Online Survey to Help Assess Upper and Lower GI Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life
The website was developed, and the data collected will be used academically, by Professor Paul Enck PhD, Director of Research, Department of Internal Medicine VI/Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at University Hospitals in Tübingen, Germany. Dr. Enck is an international member of the Advisory Board of IFFGD.
This is the first interactive Rome II Questionnaire for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in English; a German version can be found on www.gesundheits-umfrage.de, and a Spanish version is in preparation. Patients answering this questionnaire will be provided a statement of how their symptoms might fit into the Rome II classification of functional bowel disorders, as well as how symptoms affect the quality of life. The website is hosted by Holburn Clinical Trial Corporation, a contract research organization. To participate, go to the questionnaire »
IFFGD's IBS Unmet Needs Survey
IFFGD wants to understand how IBS affects your daily routine, the ways your life is affected by IBS, and where the needs are for treatments – but we need your help. If you have IBS, participate in this confidential online survey, and help advance our mission to improve lives.
Log on to IFFGD’s survey web page: Go »