Integrative Medicine for Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (IMforHSDandEDS)

National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

EDS

Hypermobility Syndrome

Hypermobile EDS (hEDS)

Treatments

Behavioral: Anti-inflammatory (Mediterranean-style) diet

Behavioral: Behavioral and psychosocial support

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT04734041

DH10320

Details and patient eligibility

About

A feasibility study of an integrative medicine program among patients with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS)

Full description

The overall purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a 9-week integrative medicine program that is comprised of a prescribed anti-inflammatory (Mediterranean) diet, as well as general behavioral and psychosocial support among patients with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), in order to determine the recruitment potential in this population and to measure the ability of individuals to complete the program. Participants will be prescribed a food plan, and adherence to and feasibility of the food plan will be measured through participant food tracking and a subjective assessment of the food plan in a brief satisfaction survey.

This study aims to recruit 20 patients with HSD or EDS and make preliminary observations regarding the effects of integrative medical care on pain reduction and improved quality of life.

Enrollment

20 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 65 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-65
Beighton score of 4 or more to confirm joint hypermobility diagnosis
Baseline VAS Score of 1 or more
Not currently, or already a patient of Dr. Schaefer and Healthy Living Community
Ability to provide written informed consent
Willingness to participate in 9-week integrative medicine intervention (and make dietary and lifestyle changes)
Willingness to attend 1 in-person screening visit and 2 virtual office visits (or 3 virtual visits, if medical documentation of Beighton score can be provided in advance of enrollment, and all other criteria are met)
Access to an electronic device for MyFitnessPal food-tracker use (i.e mobile device, tablet, laptop)

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant and lactating women, or planned pregnancy over the next 3 months
Consumption of more than 14 (men) or 7 (women) alcoholic drinks per week
History of disordered eating or eating disorder
Body mass index (BMI) considered underweight (<18.5)
Weight loss from metastatic cancer
Unable to make dietary changes or participate in a 9-integrative medicine nutritional intervention
Those with significant dietary changes, new medications, or new exercise routines within the past 90 days
Currently, or already, a patient of Dr. Schaefer and Healthy Living Community