Table 1 The IBD-BOOST programme of studies on fatigue, pain and urgency in IBD

Stage 1 of the programme involved focus groups and interviews with people with IBD and IBD nurse specialists. In line with MRC guidance, these data were used alongside a theory-and person-based approach to develop a digital cognitive behavioural self-management intervention (IBD-BOOST). This stage is now completed.

Stage 2 of the programme involves a large cross-sectional survey of people with IBD to investigate the inter-relationships of IBD-related fatigue, pain and urgency/incontinence symptoms and the proportions wanting support to manage these symptoms. This stage is in progress and is not described further here.

Stage 3 of the programme is a non-randomised experimental study to test the effectiveness of a checklist and algorithm for identifying and treating medical causes of these IBD-related symptoms. The medical abnormalities detected in the study will be treated. This stage is not part of the current RCT and is not described further here.

Stage 4 (the current study) is an RCT of online self-management for symptoms of IBD fatigue, pain and urgency/incontinence (IBD-BOOST), with an embedded pilot study, health economics evaluation and process evaluation. Potential participants will already have completed the IBD survey (stage 2). Some of them will also have participated in stage 3.