Effectiveness of self-management intervention program based on Self-Determination Theory and Solution-Focused Approach in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China has been continuously increasing, with adolescents constituting the peak age group for onset. Effective self-management behaviors are critical for achieving disease remission and facilitating the transition of adolescents with IBD from childhood to adulthood. However, unmet basic psychological needs frequently erode motivation for self-management, resulting in suboptimal self-care practices. There is a pressing need for intervention programs that address these psychological dimensions to enhance self-management behaviors in this population. The Solution-Focused Approach offers valuable insights for designing such interventions.

Methods: This study integrates the Solution-Focused Approach and Self-Determination Theory to design a multi-component, short-term remote intervention program, which is based on evidence and informed by practical surveys. A two-center randomized controlled trial is conducted to assess the effectiveness of this program. Participants are recruited from the gastroenterology wards of two tertiary hospitals in Chongqing, China, and then randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control group. The control group receives standard discharge care, whereas the intervention group receives both the proposed intervention and standard discharge care. The outcome parameters include self-management behaviors, basic psychological needs, perceived social support, anxiety and depression levels, disease activity, and healthcare resource utilization.

Discussion: The intervention program developed in this study is grounded in a robust theoretical framework, empirical evidence, and practical surveys. The findings of this research can provide a valuable reference for designing clinical self-management interventions for adolescents with IBD.