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Article

StepFit-18K: Improving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms with a Simple, Structured Walking Intervention

by
Isabella Franco
1,†,
Antonella Bianco
1,†,
Laura Prospero
2,
Giuseppe Riezzo
2,
Caterina Bonfiglio
3,
Claudia Beatrice Bagnato
1,
Nicola Verrelli
1,
Francesco Goscilo
2,
Benedetta D’Attoma
2,
Antonia Ignazzi
2,
Sergio Coletta
4,
Maria Grazia Refolo
5,
Rossella Donghia
3 and
Francesco Russo
2,*
1
Laboratory of Movement and Wellness, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
2
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Group, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
3
Data Science Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
4
Core Facility Biobank, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
5
Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors equally contributed to the work.
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(22), 6684; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226684
Submission received: 21 October 2024 / Revised: 30 October 2024 / Accepted: 6 November 2024 / Published: 7 November 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Epidemiology & Public Health)
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Abstract

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and bloating, affecting approximately 10.1% of the global population. While current treatments emphasize dietary modifications and symptom management, emerging evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) may help alleviate IBS symptoms. This study evaluated the effects of a structured walking program, “StepFit-18K”, on IBS symptom relief. Methods: A total of 106 participants (68 females and 38 males) completed the 12-week intervention, which consisted of 18,000 additional steps per week (6000 extra steps on three days per week) tracked via fitness devices. The program emphasized step count, ease of adoption, and social support through walking groups. Results: As assessed by validated questionnaires, significant reductions in GI symptoms were observed. The IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) decreased from 118.30 ± 98.73 to 74.46 ± 74.93, with a delta score of −43.84%, highlighting bloating as the most improved symptom. No clinically significant changes were observed in anthropometric or biochemical markers. Conclusions: StepFit-18K is a simple, accessible, and effective form of physical activity that has demonstrated therapeutic benefits for IBS symptoms. This offers an additional application beyond its well-established role in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: gastrointestinal symptom; health promotion; irritable bowel syndrome; physical activity; walking gastrointestinal symptom; health promotion; irritable bowel syndrome; physical activity; walking

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MDPI and ACS Style

Franco, I.; Bianco, A.; Prospero, L.; Riezzo, G.; Bonfiglio, C.; Bagnato, C.B.; Verrelli, N.; Goscilo, F.; D’Attoma, B.; Ignazzi, A.; et al. StepFit-18K: Improving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms with a Simple, Structured Walking Intervention. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 6684. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226684

AMA Style

Franco I, Bianco A, Prospero L, Riezzo G, Bonfiglio C, Bagnato CB, Verrelli N, Goscilo F, D’Attoma B, Ignazzi A, et al. StepFit-18K: Improving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms with a Simple, Structured Walking Intervention. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024; 13(22):6684. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226684

Chicago/Turabian Style

Franco, Isabella, Antonella Bianco, Laura Prospero, Giuseppe Riezzo, Caterina Bonfiglio, Claudia Beatrice Bagnato, Nicola Verrelli, Francesco Goscilo, Benedetta D’Attoma, Antonia Ignazzi, and et al. 2024. "StepFit-18K: Improving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms with a Simple, Structured Walking Intervention" Journal of Clinical Medicine 13, no. 22: 6684. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226684

APA Style

Franco, I., Bianco, A., Prospero, L., Riezzo, G., Bonfiglio, C., Bagnato, C. B., Verrelli, N., Goscilo, F., D’Attoma, B., Ignazzi, A., Coletta, S., Refolo, M. G., Donghia, R., & Russo, F. (2024). StepFit-18K: Improving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms with a Simple, Structured Walking Intervention. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(22), 6684. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226684

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