The Effect of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Classroom in Nature on the Quality of Life of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Abstract

"The IBD Classroom in Nature" is an initiative that combines training and leisure activities in an ideal environment where families and patients can interact with each other. The objective of the present study was to quantify the effect that "The IBD Classroom in Nature" had on the health-related quality-of-life of patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted a prospective, analytical study with a pre-post design to demonstrate the impact on health-related quality-of-life (measured with the IMPACT-III questionnaire) of 3 days together in the context of The IBD Classroom in Nature. The study included 13 patients with IBD with a mean age of 12.3 years (interquartile range 11.9-14.5). After "The IBD Classroom in Nature" there was an improvement in the IMPACT-III score with significant improvements in the emotional functioning and body image domains. The present study objectively shows the beneficial effect of group activities focused on the most diverse aspects of their disease.