IBD Patient Project Opportunity!

The University of Sheffield Department of Clinical Psychology is testing a new intervention for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and they are keen to invite participants to take part. The researchers expect that their study will help improve emotional well-being for people with IBD.

The intervention is simple to follow and is done online. Participants need to do a brief task each day for week; they also need to complete three online surveys: one at the beginning of the intervention, one at the end of the first week and a third one 8 weeks later. The result of the surveys will help the researchers determine how effective the intervention is.

The study is run by Peter Isebor, a clinical psychologist trainee at the University of Sheffield, under the supervision of Dr Rowse and Dr Sirois. Peter obtained a BSc in Psychology from the University of Lancaster and an MSc in Mental Health from King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Before starting training he also worked as a support worker in East London and as an assistant psychologist in North London dementia services.

His interest in clinical psychology developed following a voluntary placement supporting people with disabilities during his undergraduate study. After graduating his work experience as a support worker and assistant psychologist demonstrated first hand how the ideas from psychology can be used to promote well-being. He explains, “I became particularly interested in how you can support people by building on their strengths and shifting their attention to what is working, not only by helping them remove negative or difficult aspects of their situation.”

There is growing evidence that this “attentional shifting” can help people living with health problems and there has been some exciting research exploring the role of mindfulness, self-compassion and positive psychology on health. The intervention Peter is testing aims to bring about a shift in attitude by using reflection; this can then lead to changes in behaviour that have a positive impact on the wellbeing of the participants.

If successful, the intervention could potentially be taken up by the NHS in the future, in the form of an online platform or a booklet. “For example, people living with IBD who are on a long waiting list to receive their treatment could be given this as a self-directed intervention to support them during their wait,” explains Peter.

If you are interested to learn more about the research please contact pcisebor1@sheffield.ac.uk. The study has been approved by the Department of Psychology at the University of Sheffield ethics committee (ref 012370). Please follow the link https://tinyurl.com/kob4sau to take part in the study directly.

If you decide to become involved in this study, we at Guts UK would love to hear about it. Get in touch and tell us your story by contacting info@gutscharity.org.uk.