Participate in Research
Research studies help find new methods for diagnosing, treating, managing, and preventing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Even the most promising scientific findings must first be proven to be safe and effective before they can be used in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
If you are interested in learning more about participating in a research study or clinical trial, speak with your doctor.
For Researchers recruiting patients for study participation
Are you a researcher looking to promote your research study among patients with Crohn's or colitis? Crohn’s and Colitis Canada currently promotes studies conducted by scientists affiliated with academic institutions who have demonstrated proof of ethics approval. Promotion will be via our website. At this time, we cannot promote research study recruitment via email or social media.
To submit a request to have your study promoted by Crohn's and Colitis Canada, complete the online form HERE. Our research programs team will review your request and connect with you about next steps.
Active studies recruiting participants:
- The IMAGINE Network MAGIC Study
What is this Study About?
The IMAGINE Network is currently recruiting healthy individuals along with persons with inMammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our goal is to recruit 8,000 subjects and will study how three important variables (genes, diet and mental health) impact the gut microbiome and, in turn, how together they impact the disease course.
Who can Participate?
Adults or children with IBD or IBS, or healthy subjects
This study has been approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (REB #3000).
Primary Contact
Aida Fernandes
fernaa19@mcmaster.ca
Principal Investigator
Paul Moayyedi
McMaster University
- Personalized Anti-Inflammatory Fibres in Ulcerative Colitis
What is this Study About?
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the clinical effects of two different dietary fibre supplements, acacia gum (AG) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), in patients with ulcerative colitis. The main question it aims to answer is: Can the fibre supplements reduce gut inflammation?
Researchers will compare AG and MCC to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no fibre) to see if the fibre supplements improve inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
Who can Participate?
- Patients with ulcerative colitis living in Edmonton, AB
- 15-60 years old
- Mild disease or in remission
- Elevated fecal calprotectin (>250 ug/g)
Your Role in this Study
Participants will add their assigned fibre supplement or placebo to their usual diet daily for 6 weeks. They will visit the clinic at baseline, week 3, and week 6 to provide samples (stool, blood) and complete various questionnaires. Participants will receive a gift card if they complete the 6-week trial.
Patients can complete this survey to see if they would be eligible to participate:
https://redcap.link/paif_uc_screening
This study has been approved by the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (REB #PRO00137948).
Primary Contact
Anissa Armet
aarmet@ualberta.ca
Principal Investigator
Dr. Eytan Wine
University of Alberta / University of Toronto
- Help define the IBD-related burden from a global patient perspective
What is this Study About?
The IBD Disk is a widely used questionnaire that assesses IBD-related burden across 10 categories. However, there are some concerns and limitations about the current version, limiting its usability in clinical practice and research. Therefore, the goal of the IBD Disk 2.0 project is to identify the most important impacts contributing to a high burden of IBD from the perspective of a broad group stakeholders (including people living with IBD, IBD nurses, gastroenterologists specialized in IBD, academic IBD researchers and mental health workers / psychologists in the field of IBD). This is a global initiative aiming to gather the perspective of stakeholders across Europe, America and Australia. To obtain an accurate and comprehensive view of the burden on IBD patients, your input is crucial.
Who can Participate?
Patients with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis or type unclassified with a minimum age of 18 years can participate in this study.
Your Role in this Study
Participation in this survey study involves completing two rounds by filling out two questionnaires. Completing the survey will take approximately 20 minutes and should be done in one sitting. The first round will close on October 22nd. Participation in this study is anonymous.
You can access the survey for the first round of the IBD Disk 2.0 survey study via this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IBD_Disk_2_Round_1
This study has been approved by the UZ/KU Leuven Research Ethics Committee (REB #S70788).
Primary Contact
Manon Vanhaverbeke
manon.vanhaverbeke@kuleuven.be
Principal Investigator
Marc Ferrante
UZ/KU Leuven
- The Role of Art Practices Among Young Adults with Chronic Physical Illness: A Qualitative Study
What is this Study About?
This study explores how informal art practices (e.g., visual art, poetry, creative writing) shape the lived experiences of young adults with chronic physical illness. The goal is to understand the role of creative expression in coping, well-being, and patient-centred care. The study aims to answer: How do young adults with chronic physical illnesses perceive the role of informal art practices in their lived experience?
Who can Participate?
Eligible participants are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, between the ages of 18 and 30, currently living with a diagnosed chronic physical illness, comfortable communicating in English, who engage in or have engaged in informal, self-directed art practices (e.g., visual art, poetry, creative writing etc.).
This study has been approved by the McMaster University Research Ethics Board (REB# 7556).
Primary Contact
Priya Rai
raip9@mcmaster.ca
Principal Investigator
Alexander Hall
McMaster University
- INSPIRE-Flare
What is this Study About?
Get involved in rheumatology research being conducted at the University of Cambridge!
Researchers at the University of Cambridge are conducting groundbreaking research to better understand patient experiences of flares in autoimmune diseases.
Led by Melanie Sloan, Cambridge academic and patient advocate, and supported by a team of leading experts, this study aims to improve understanding of disease flares to improve early recognition and care.
Who can Participate?
Participants must be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and be over 18 years old.
Your Role in this Study
To take part, you need to complete a survey which asks about how you define flares in your disease, what triggers and prevents flares and the order of symptoms in flares. It should take about 45 minutes to complete, and you can pause or stop at any time.
Everyone who takes part can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win one of four £50 amazon vouchers when the survey closes, which will likely be in early June.
Please click on this link
https://bit.ly/4kOQeyg to take part.
This study was approved by the University of Cambridge Research Ethics Committee (REB # PRE.2025.009).
Primary Contact
Martha Piper
mp2196@cam.ac.uk
Principal Investigator
Melanie Sloan
University of Cambridge
- Perceptions of Reproductive Care during Preconception and Pregnancy Among Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; A Comparison between Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Populations
What is this Study About?
We would like to invite you to participate in this anonymous research survey being conducted by Dr. Vivian Huang (Principal Investigator). This study aims to investigate the experiences of individuals with IBD and the barriers faced in care. Your valuable insights will contribute to a better understanding and we hope to help improve care for women with IBD.
Who can Participate?
We are looking for women who are 18 years of age or older, with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who are contemplating pregnancy, are currently pregnant, or who have recently had a baby.
Your Role in this Study
This anonymous survey will only take about 15-20 minutes to complete, and can be
completed through the following link:
https://form.simplesurvey.com/f/s/IBDPerceptionsReproductiveCare
This study has been approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Ethics Boards (REB #24-0186-E).
Primary Contact
Katie OConnor
Katie.OConnor@sinaihealth.ca
Principal Investigator
Dr. Vivian Huang
Sinai Health System
- Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Black or Hispanic/Latinx individuals
What is this study about?
The purpose of this study is to understand the genetic factors that might be contributing to inflammatory Bowel Disease in individuals of Black or Hispanic/Latinx ancestries. We hope our findings will help in personalizing treatments for IBD.
Your Role in this Study
Participants will be asked to:
- donate one tablespoon of blood and/or saliva sample
- complete a questionnaire about their IBD history
- provide access to their medical records
Who can Participate?
Participants must:
- Self-identify as African American or Black or;
- Self-identify as Hipanic/Latinx;
- Have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis;
- Be willing to donate blood and/or saliva sample;
- Be willing to give the study access to your medical records.
All ages are welcome, and participants must have confirmed (via medical records access) IBD. They will also receive compensation for their time after completing all study procedures. The study is located at the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON.
This study has been approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital
Research Ethics Board (REB#
02-0234-E).
Primary Contact
ibd.research@sinaihealth.ca
Principal Investigator
Mark Silverberg
Mount Sinai Hospital